GLOSSARY. 127 



bark {Eucalyptus macrorrhynchd) and Messmate {Eucalyptus 

 obliqua) are two of the tribe most plentiful in Victoria ; 

 and though their timber is not very durable, it is largely- 

 employed for fence rails, quartering, battens, shingles, 

 palings, etc. ; whilst the bark is used for roofing by the 

 settlers, and also converted into pulp for the use of the 

 upholsterer and papermaker. A volatile oil is distilled 

 from Eucalyptus leaves, those of the Blue Gum and 

 Giant Gum of the mountains being principally used for 

 this purpose. The latter tree, it is said, has been known 

 to attain the exceedingly great height of 400 feet, having 

 a diameter approaching 23 feet. It is found in its most 

 noble proportions in Gippsland. The Karri of Western 

 Australia rivals the Giant Gum in height. The Alpine 

 Gum {Eucalyptus alpina) is a small but well-shaped shrubby 

 specimen of the family, and is very hardy. The Yellow 

 Box {Eucalyptus melliodord) is attractive to bees, from the 

 quantity of nectar secreted by its flowers. Under the name 

 Ironbark, four or five species of the Eucalypts are comprised, 

 the principal of which are Eucalyptus siderophloia (New 

 South Wales) and E. leucoxylou, common in several of the 

 Australian colonies. In point of beauty, however, as dis- 

 tinguished from the towering height and stately appearance 

 which mark other members of the family, the gorgeous 

 Scarlet Flowering Gum {Eucalyptus ficifolia) stands 

 without a rival. 1 This beautiful tree, a native of Broke's 



1 There is a scarlet flowering variety of Eucalypttis calophylla in- 

 digenous to West Australia which is very beautiful, and resembles in 

 many respects the Eucalyptus ficifolia, but it is nevertheless quite dis- 

 tinct in colour of blossom and form of seed, though the capsules are 

 almost identical. Young specimens of both may be seen in the 

 Melbourne Botanic Gardens. 



