EUCALYPTUS. 



{Eucalyptus.) 



These trees, locally known as Stringy-barks, Iron-barks, 

 and Gum-trees, are natives of Australia and the neighboring 

 islands. Some of the nearly four hundred species have been 

 widely transplanted, although none have thus far succeeded in 

 this country outside of Florida and California.* The Blue 

 Gum {E. globulus) is the species commonly referred to when 

 Eucalyptus is mentioned in North America. 



The Eucalypts are noted for their great size, rapid growth, 

 tough, durable wood, and alleged effect upon health. Size is 

 illustrated by the species Eucalyptus amygdalina, specimens of 

 which have reached a height of four hundred and eighty feet 

 and are thus the tallest, although not the largest, trees known 

 to man. Growth is shown by specimens of the Eucalyptus 

 gunnii, which have grown in excess of two feet a month during 

 the first year.t The working qualities of Jarrah, Karri, and 

 Tuart woods {E. marginatay E. diversicolor, and E. gompho- 

 cephald) are such as to cause them to take high rank in local 

 construction. The first two have been preferred beyond all 

 other species for paving the streets of London and of Paris. 

 Some improvement in health is said to have followed the intro- 

 duction of the Blue Gum (Eucalyptus globulus) in malarial 

 districts, such as those around Rome. It is not certain whether 

 these results are due to the presence of essences in the foliage, 

 although medicinal properties are ascribed to them and they are 

 used in the preparation of listerine and similar compounds, or 



* First introduced in 1856 ; 1,000,000 specimens thought to be in California, 

 1874. A. Kinney, U. S. Forestry Bulletin No. 11. 



t Eucalyptus globulus is said to have grown in California at the rate of two 

 feet a month during the first year. 



Works of Baron von Mttller ; Report J. Ednie-Brown, Forest Commissioner, 

 Western Australia ; Correspondence M. Francis Chapman, Esq., London ; The 

 Forester, Jan. 1900; Abbot Kinney, U. S. Forestry Bulletin No. 11. 



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