EUCALYPTUS FICIFOLIA. 



smaller, the seeds wholly or nearly destitute of any appendage and the seedlings purplish-hispid 

 with short-stalked elliptic opposite leaves ; while E. Abergiana is stUl farther removed by the 

 want of stalklets of its flowers and by the larger and wider lid, although the seeds are here again 

 conspicuously appendiculated. 



This Eucalyptus is one of the most splendid of recent acquisitions to horticulture, and was 

 introduced by the writer of this work into the Botanic Garden of Melbourne in 1860, where it 

 flowered already a few years afterwards, while yet only in a bushy state. Soon subsequently he 

 commenced to introduce it abroad. " Hardly anything more gorgeous can be imagined, than the 

 forests of E. ficifolia about the end of January or commencement of February, when the brilliant 

 trusses of flowers diffuse a rich red over the dark-green foliage of the whole landscape occupied by 

 this tree." It should have a place in every select ornamental arboretum in zones free of frost and 

 excessive heat. 



Whether the timber of E. ficifolia has any particular qualities to recommend it to artisans, 

 remains as yet unknown. The Eano of the wood and bark has, like similar exudations of other 

 Eucalypts, value in medicine and for tan- and dye-purposes. The trade in seeds of this species 

 has proved already to vendors remarkably profitable, and is likely to be carried on by the seeds- 

 men for lengthened periods. Parrots and many other kinds of birds visit the tree, to pick the 

 sweetish fiowers and the seeds. 



Explanation of Anaxttic Details. — 1, an unexpanded flower, the lid lifted; 2, longitudinal section of 

 an nnexpanded flower ; 3, some stamens in situ ; 4 and 5, front- and back-view of an anther, with portion of its 

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

 seeds ; 11, embryo in situ ; 12, embryo uncoiled ; 13, transverse section of embryo ; all the figures except 7 and 8 

 magnified, but to various extent. 



