THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



A EUCALYPTUS FOREST IN AUSTRALIA 



Natal, Egypt, Algeria, and in various 

 parts of southern Europe and in some 

 other warm countries. It cannot stand 

 the frost, and so must be classed among 

 tropical trees. Perhaps only in the states 

 of Florida and California can we expect 

 to see it in perfection in this country ; 

 yet although its introduction into Cali- 

 fornia has been of but recent date, al- 

 ready its value to that state has been very 

 considerable. Its growth here has been 

 so rapid that trees of 80 feet in height 

 and over a foot in diameter have devel- 

 oped from the small planting of a dozen 

 years. Its rapid growth makes it a val- 

 uable acquisition to those lands where 

 in so many instances there was such a 

 great lack of forest trees of general 

 utility. In California its timber is being 

 extensively used for telegraph poles, rail- 

 road ties, for fencing purposes, and in 

 the manufacture of some kinds of fur- 

 niture. 



Some of the species of eucalyptus are 



much more valuable than others. There 

 is also a great diversity both in their ap- 

 pearance and worth. One of the most 

 valuable is .the Eucalyptus marginata, 

 popularly called the Jarrah wood. It 

 grows to a great size and its timber is so 

 hard that it is found to be especially valu- 

 able in the construction of wharves, as it 

 resists the attack of the ship worms and 

 borers that are so destructive to ordinary 

 wood. Because of this quality it also 

 enters largely into the construction of 

 ships and is utilized in other marine uses. 

 Some varieties of the eucalyptus yield 

 a kind of astringent gum or resin called 

 Vino, while from others a species of 

 manna — a hard, little, sweet substance — 

 is obtained in considerable quantities. As 

 an antidote against malaria and as being 

 valuable in warding off or dissipating 

 malaria in regions where malaria 

 abounds, the eucalyptus has obtained a 

 considerable reputation. Expert opin- 

 ions seem to be divided as to the way in 



