MYETACE^. 491 



verticillate leaves, not dotted. 5. Leoythidese, having a multilocular 

 ■woody capsule, which either remains closed or opens by a lid, mona- 

 delphous stamens, alternate, not dotted leaves ; the stamens form a 

 cup, which often grows out on one side, with a curious hooded appen- 

 dage. Several of these tribes are made separate orders by Lindley, 

 Miers, and others. There are 75 known genera, and upwards of 1800 

 species. Examples — Ohamselaucium, Oalytrix, Leptospermum, Mela- 

 leuca, Metrosideros, Eucalyptus, Myrtus, Psidium, Eugenia, Caryo- 

 phyllus, Barringtonia, Gustavia, Lecythis, BerthoUetia, Napoleona 

 (Belvisia), Asteranthus. 



Many of the plants of the order yield an aromatic volatile oil. 

 This is particularly the case with those having pellucid dots in their 

 leaves. Some yield edible fruits, others furnish astringent and saccha^ 

 line substances. The leaves of species of Leptospermum and Mela^ 

 leuca are" used as tea in Australia. The leaves of Melaleuca Leucaden- 

 dron, a tree of the Indian Archipelago, Malayan Peninsula, and 

 Australia, yield the volatile oil of Cajuput. It is a very liquid oU, of 

 a grass-green colour, having a pungent camphoraceous odour, and 

 capable of dissolving caoutchouc. It is used medicinally as a stimu- 

 lant and antispasmodic. Species of Eucalyptus constitute the gigantic 

 gum-trees of Australia, some of which attain a height of 2-300 feet. 

 Baron Mueller mentions specimens of Eucalyptus amygdalinus 400 feet 

 high. They are remarkable for their operculate calyx, which may be 

 considered as formed by several jointed leaves (like those of the orange), 

 united throughout, and separating at the articulation in the form of a 

 lid (p. 199). Their bark also separates remarkably in layers. They 

 yield an astringent matter, which has been used for tanning. 

 Eucalyptus resinifera, Brown Gum-tree, of New Holland, furnishes 

 Botany-Bay Kino, an astringent, resinous-like substance, which exudes 

 in the form of red juice from incisions in the bark. A single tree 

 will yield sixty gallons. E. mannifera gives a saccharine exudation 

 resembling manna. A saccharine substance, mixed with cellular hairs, 

 which arise from a cup-like body, is found upon the leaves of E. 

 dumosa. It is called Lurp by the natives, and is produced by the 

 attack of a species of insect belonging to the genus PsyUa. Eucalyptus 

 globulus, Blue Gum-tree or Fever Gum-tree, is said to take up moisture 

 ^largely from marshy lands. It furnishes good timber, and has an 

 astringent baik. It yields a fragrant oil, which is used as an 

 embrocation. The wood of many species of Metrosideros is hard 

 and dark-coloured. The flower-buds of Cwryophyllus aromaticus 

 {Eugenia caryophyllata), a tree which was originally a native of the 

 Moluccas, but is now cultivated in the East and West Indies, consti- 

 tute the Cloves of commerce. They have the form of a nail (French 

 clou), and, when examined, are seen to consist of the tubular calyx 

 with a roundish projection formed by the unopened petals. They 



