EUCALYPTUS ODOEATA. 



Mr. Otto Tepper (in tlie Transactions of the Philosophic Society of Adelaide, February 1878) 

 mentions this tree among the South Australian Eucalypts, which become extensively destroyed by 

 the superabundance of a nocturnal Melolontha-Cockchafer, preying on their foliage, after through 

 the disturbing action of herds and flocks, and more so still through the clearings effected for 

 agricultural settlements, the much diminished number of predatory birds and insects can no 

 longer hold this particular Melolontha in check, a species which seems not less destructive than 

 the European May-bug. As other causes of the dying of Eucalyptus-trees in various districts 

 may be mentioned the local increase of the Phalangistaj after the gradual disappearance of the 

 aboriginal hunters ; further the destruction of the underwood, involving the exsiccation and by 

 traffic also the induration of the soil, thus preventing access of moisture to the often rather 

 horizontal roots of Eucalyptus-trees, as pointed out in a lecture of mine on " forest-culture in 

 relation to industrial-pursuits" (June 1871). Our Eucalypts furthermore perish often through 

 bush- or forest-fires reckless originated, or through the often unnecessary invasion or even ruthless 

 annihilation of timber-vegetation by agricultural settlers, changes thus being brought about in 

 the clime and shelter, flow of water and the food of native birds, not to speak of the wanton hunt 

 by thoughtless sportsmen after even so many of the insectivorous creatures of our feathered tribe. 



Explanation op Analytic Details. — 1, upper portion of calyx, the lid severed ; 2, longitudinal section of 

 an unexpanded flower ; 3, some stamens in situ ; 4 and 5, front- and back-view of an anther with part of the 

 filament ; 6, style and stigma ; 7 and 8, longitudinal and transyerse section of a fruit ; 9 and 10, sterile and fertile 

 seeds ; 11, portion of a leaf ; all magnified, but in various degrees. 



