THE TALLEST TREE THAT GROWS 



665 



A EUCALYPTUS 76 EEET IN CIRCUMFERENCE (SEE PAGE 664) 



during one of his visits to one of the 

 regions where these gigantic trees abound 

 in the State of Victoria. 



The eucalyptus tree is a genus of trees 

 and shrubs of the natural order of 

 Myrtacea, embracing about 150 species. 

 All but four of them are natives of 

 Australia and Tasmania only. The euca- 

 lyptus trees are so abundant in many 

 parts of Australia that over vast areas 

 they are practically the only trees visible. 

 The fact that the fully developed trees 

 are destitute of symmetry and beauty 

 robs the great Australian wooded re- 

 gions of that attractiveness and charm 

 which gives such pleasure and delight 

 to the primeval forests of America. 



One striking characteristic of several 

 varieties of the eucalyptus is that, while 

 they never seem to shed their leaves, 

 they cast or slough off their bark in long 



strips every year. The leaves, which 

 have a leathery appearance, contain a 

 considerable quantity of volatile oil. The 

 tincture or oil extracted from them has a 

 bitter aromatic taste and is extensively 

 used as a remedy for various diseases. 



On the young shoots of many species 

 the leaves in pairs are opposite to each 

 other, as they appear on ordinary plants, 

 while on the older branches the leaves are 

 arranged alternately and grow in such a 

 way that they present their edges to the 

 sun. This seems to be nature's provision 

 to protect them from the intense heat of 

 the tropical sun of those lands where they 

 most flourish. 



The Eucalyptus globulus, generally 

 called the blue gum, from its bluish- 

 green leaves, is the variety most success- 

 fully grown in California. It has also 

 been introduced and flourishes in India, 



