109 EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS 



parasite to be dislodged before they have time to germinate and 

 so obtain a footing in the tissues of the plant. " So that in 

 countries not too hot for its growth " its timber will probably 

 turn out to be extremely useful." The great length of the 

 planks that can be obtained from it is also another important 

 element in its favour ; thus, in many cases, planks of this wood 

 have been cut of 160 feet in length, 20 inches broad, and 6 

 inches in thickness, and larger planks may be obtained. These 

 qualities render the timber especially valuable for ship -building, 

 railway sleepers, maritime works, and wherever beams of great 

 span are required ; as also for numerous other purposes. 



Baron von Mueller has also shown that the ashes of the wood 

 of this and other species of Eucalyptus contain a very large 

 proportion of potash, in some cases as much as 21 per cent., so 

 that this product must not be lost sight of among those obtainable 

 from this plant. 



But important as are the products obtainable from the Eucalyptus 

 Globulus, it has been brought more especially into notice on account 

 of the influence that plantations of this very rapid- growing tree are 

 said to exert in improving miasmatic climates by destroying the 

 paludal miasm, which causes fever in malarious districts; from 

 which circumstance it has been called " the fever-destroying tree." 

 The evidence that has been adduced from Australia, the native 

 country of the tree, and from all parts of the world where it has 

 been introduced, and which are favorable to its growth, in 

 testimony of its anti-malarial properties, is so strong that, 

 allowing for exaggeration in some cases, it can scarcely be 

 doubted that this tree does produce a most beneficial effect by 

 destroying the fever-producing miasm of marshy districts; and 

 that it should consequently be introduced into all countries and 

 districts where the climatic influences are favorable for its 

 development, and where such miasmatic emanations are to be 

 found. It has recently been planted to a large extent in Italy, 

 and hopes are entertained " that in a few years malaria will be 

 as effectively expelled from Italy as ague has been from Lincoln- 

 shire." 



