166 DICTIOISrARY OF POPULAR NAMES EUCALYPTUS 



in the varying nature of their bark, that the determination of 

 species is very difficult. In Tasmania they are described as 

 rising to a height of from 200 to 400 feet, with a diameter of 

 from 6 to 8 feet. Their naked gaunt stems, of 100 to 150 feet 

 clear of branches, present the appearance of a forest of natuial 

 columns. These, sometimes blackened by the fires of the natives 

 and with the shaggy loose bark hanging about them, afibid a 

 grand but dismal spectacle. Trees of equal, if not larger, size 

 are found in Victoria, a fallen one measuring 480 feet in length, 

 while one still larger measured 80 feet in circumference. 



According to the nature of their bark they receive various 

 names, such as Stringy Bark {K oUiqua), Iron Bark (H. sider- 

 oxylon), Blue Gum {E. (jlohohcs), Peppermint Tree (U. amygda- 

 Una). Some also receive the name of N"ative Mahogany, which, 

 with the kind called Gray Iron Bark, etc., are sometimes im- 

 ported into this country. The wood of some is very hard and 

 durable, and so heavy as even to sink in water. Many yield a 

 kind of Elino or gum, such as JE. resinifera and JE. amygdalioia. 

 Essential oils, used in perfumery, are also produced in large 

 quantities from their leaves. U. manmfera, and others, yield 

 sweet secretions analogous to manna. It is also stated that 

 U, Gunnii furnishes a great quantity of liquid that ferments and 

 forms a kind of beer. They produce abundance of seeds, which 

 vegetate freely, and have, through the agency of man, become 

 naturalised in many countries. As they are of robust growth, 

 a " struggle for life " in the natural vegetation is the consequence. 

 Many years ago large quantities were raised at Kew, and expe- 

 riments tried with them in the open air. They giew vigoiously, 

 and several species withstood ordinary winters, but the severe 

 cold of January 1838 destroyed them, after their having attained 

 a height of 15 feet. Since then a species named E, j'^ohj^ntJiemos 

 has stood for the last thirty years in an exposed part of the 

 gardens. The young shoots are occasionally injured, but it is 

 otherwise perfectly hardy, and might become a useiul timber 

 tree in the southern parts of England. 



During the last twenty years many species of Emalypius, 



