76 EUCALYPTS CULTIVATED IN THE UNITED STATES. 
Uses.—The wood of this tree is not in special favor with artisans; 
but as it is durable underground it is very useful for posts. ties. and 
similar purposes. According to Baron von Mueller it is free from the 
attacks of destructive insects, which is ascribable to the presence of 
kino. 
Eucalyptus rostrata. 
Rep Gum. 
Characteristics.—Individuals of this species make fairly rapid 
growth, and are commonly above medium size. The tree varies con- 
siderably in habit and appearance, in some cases being erect and 
stately. and in other cases unsymmetrical and irregular in growth. 
(Pls. XXXVI, XX XIX.) The individuals also vary as to the hue 
of the foliage, that of some being a livid green, while that of others 
may be yellowish or reddish. 
The Red Gum is one of the leading forest trees of the Australian 
continent. Baron von Mueller says of it that it is ‘* perhaps the most 
important of the whole genus!” Mr. Maiden says, ** I do not suppose 
that there is a person resident in Victoria or South Australia for six 
months who does not well know what Red Gum is;” and, in speaking 
of its occurrence in New South Wales, adds, ** It is the tree which pro- 
duces ditectly to the colony by far the most revenue of all our trees.” 
The tree is commonly about 100 feet high in Australia, but is 
reported under favorable circumstances to grow to double that height, 
with a trunk diameter of 6 to 12 feet. The bark of the younger trees 
is smooth and reddish or ashy gray; of the older ones usually more or 
less rough and furrowed. It is commonly persistent, but occasionally 
patches of varying thickness flake off. The stems of the young seed- 
lings and the twigs of the trees are red. The leaves are of medium 
size, lance-shaped or sickle-shaped, and have the same color on the 
two sides. The flowers are small, on slender stems, in clusters of 3 
to 12, borne on rather slender stalks. The deciduous covering of the 
flower bud is distinctly pointed or beaked, the Latin word for which 
is rostratus, giving the tree its specific name. The seed cases are cup- 
shaped, with conspicuous protruding valves. (See Pl. LX XIV.) 
Climatic requirements.—The Red Gum grows under a great variety 
of climatic conditions. It is scattered over most of the southeastern 
part of Australia, growing there in a-great variety of situations. 
While it prefers moist river bottoms with an equable climate, it will 
endure much heat, severe frost, and considerable drought. In the 
southwestern part of the United States it thrives at the coast, on the 
dry mesas, in the foothills, and in many of the dry, hot valleys of the 
interior. Inthe latter region it endures minimum temperatures of 15~ 
to 20° F., and maximum temperatures of 110° to 115° F. It thrives 
in the moist, foggy sections of the coast regions of the Southwest, and 
