EUCALYPTUS TBEES. 12 9 



merciless sacrifice of tlie native forests has already so 

 sadly brouglit about — a sacrifice arising from an utter 

 absence of all thoughts for the future. Ever since an- 

 tiquity this work of forest destruction has gone on in 

 every country, until, sooner or later, such reckless 

 improvidence has been overtaken by a resentful Ne- 

 mesis, in hindering the progress of national prosper- 

 ity, and the^comfort of whole communities. 



After lengthened periods of toil there partially arose, 

 but partially only, what an early guardianship might 

 have readily retained for most countries. When I 

 largely shared in the labors of establishing, for Aus- 

 tralian trees, a reputation abroad, I certainly did, also, 

 entertain a hope to awaken here, likewise, a univer- 

 sal interest in the dissemination of an almost endless 

 number of trees from the colder and subtropic girdles 

 of the whole globe. (Vide Phil. Inst., 1858, pp. 93 to 

 109.) A few scattered trees are of no national mo- 

 ment We want the massive upgrowth of the Pitch- 

 pines, just as on the Pine barrens of the United States ; 

 we want whole forests of the Deal Pines, both cis and 

 transatlantic; we want over all our mountains the 

 Silver Fir, already the charm of the ancients; we 

 want the Australian Red Cedar, scarcely any longer 

 existing in its native haunts ; we want the Yarrah- 

 tree, forest-like, as in West Australia ; we want the , 

 various elastic Ash-trees, which are so easily raised ; 

 we want, indeed, no end of other trees, because the 

 greater part of Victoria is ill - wooded ; because our 

 climate is hot and dry ; because extensive coal layers 

 we have not yet found. What practical bearing can 

 all the teaching in this hall, all the display in this mu- 

 geum, really exercise, if, finally, the artisan finds him. 



