EUCALYPTUS TKEES. 17 



is so susceptible ; to no other country can we look for 

 equal results. 



* The Eucalyptus globulus (known as the Blue Gum, 

 and so generally admired in California) is a native 

 of Tasmania. It has received the name Eucalyptus on 

 account of the formation of the seed-pods. The name 

 is from two Greek words, signifying "I conceal well," 

 the cup for a long time concealing the stamens. The 

 name globulus was taken from the resemblance to a but- 

 ton. The discovery was made by a French botanist 

 by the name of Labillardiere. This gentleman was a 

 member of a French expedition, fitted out in 1791, and, 

 quoting from his journal : " 12th May, 1792. [The 

 expedition was then in the port of Entrecasteaux, in 

 the Bay of Tempests, Van Dieman's Land.] I have 

 not yet boen able to procure the flowers of a new spe- 

 cies of Eucalyptus, remarkable for its fruit, which 

 resembles a coat-button. This tree, which is one of 

 the tallest in nature, since it measures upward of 

 one hundred and sixty feet, only blooms toward its 

 upper extremity. The wood is suited to naval con- 

 struction, and is durable, but neither so light nor so 

 elastic as pine. This beautiful tree, of the myrtle 

 family, is covered with a smooth bark ; the branches 

 bend a little as they rise, and are garnished at the 

 extremities with alternate leaves, slightly curved, 

 and about seven inches in length and nearly two in 

 width. The flowers are solitary, and grow out of the 

 axils of the leaves. The bark, leaves, and fruit are 

 aromatic, and might be employed for economical uses, 

 in place of those which the Moluccas have hitherto 

 exclusively furnished us." "In the history of the 



* Copied from the translation from the French of Prof. J, E. Planchon, 



