172 TREES AND TREE-PLANTING. 
years ago. The Spaniards first discovered that it was 
a preventive of fever, and the colonists of Tasmania 
used its leaves for a number of purposes. It was not 
until 1860 that its full power became known; and, as a 
hygienic measure, it was introduced into the Spanish 
realm as an antiseptic. The people of Valentia were 
suffering from malarial fever. Eucalyptus-trees were 
planted about the city, and a marked improvement in 
the healthfulness of the locality followed. So popular 
did it become that the trees had to be guarded, the in- 
habitants stealing the leaves every opportunity they 
had to make decoctions to drink. The Spaniards named 
the eucalyptus the fever-tree, and soon after it was in- 
troduced into Algeria. It next travelled to the Cape of 
Good Hope, Corsica, Sicily, South America, and Cali- 
fornia. 
Garibaldi’s attempt to introduce it into Rome was not 
entirely new; many years ago a few dozen specimens 
were planted about the walls, and although nearly all 
the trees lived, but few of them were vigorous. After a 
trial of many years in southern France it has failed to 
become hardy or suck up and destroy the poisonous va- 
pors of the swamps in which it was planted. 
The Trappist monks of the Tre Fontane set out large 
plantations of eucalyptus-trees, and have tended them 
with the utmost care. This may fairly be looked upon 
as a decisive experiment. The place known as Tre Fon- 
tane, or Three Fountains, lies some miles south of Rome, 
and is the seat of a magnificent monastery. Its climate, 
once healthy, in consequence of the destruction of all the 
timber in the vicinity has become so deadly that, notwith- 
standing its splendid buildings, rich mosaics, marbles, and 
frescoes, the place is wholly deserted during the summer 
months. To live there in June, July, and August is said 
to be almost certain death. 
The record of the eucalyptus-tree as an antiseptic 
and disinfectant is excellent. The districts in which it 
