ON THE FLORA OF AUSTRALIA. 



85 



of some limited areas in the north and north-east. Of these 

 remarkable trees we have over 150 distinct species. It is 

 remarkable that none of them are indigenous to the romantic 

 and adjacent islands of New Zealand, nor, indeed, are any of 

 our larger trees also native there. Hence the Eucalypts are 

 typical Australian trees, and like many others in our flora are 

 relics probably of the Eocene age. 



In this brief sketch no more than a passing mention can be 

 made of the many species deserving much closer attention for 

 their utilitarian or horticultural value. Individuals of some 

 species grow to be gigantic trees. Eucalyptus amygdalina is 

 said to equal if not to surpass in height any other tree in the 

 world, not excepting Sequoia (Welling tonia) gigantea. The 

 latter, however, much exceeds the Eucalypt in the size of its 

 massive trunk. While we must admit that the heights of 

 Eucalypts have been frequently much exaggerated by travellers 

 who have trusted to their imagination rather than to scientific 

 observation, yet reliable measurements have been taken by 

 authentic observers of great heights up to and even considerably 

 exceeding 400 feet. The Western Australian Karri (E. 

 diver sicolor) is another species remarkable for its towering 

 height. But while some are noted for their lofty growth and 

 stately habit, especially in humid forest glens, yet many species 

 are gnarled and dwarf and almost shrubby. The Eucalypts are 

 locally and popularly known under an almost endless variety of 

 names, e.g. blue, white, red, and spotted gum, stringy or iron- 

 bark, peppermint, apple -scented, or manna gum, and mallee. 

 It should be remarked that the same popular name sometimes 

 represents a totally different species in a different locality. 

 Bushmen and splitters tell the varieties by the appearance of the 

 bark, which in some cases is shed in long strips, while in others 

 it is persistent, and may be stringy and soft, or hard and rugged, 

 or furrowed. 



The leaves of some varieties grow to a large size, and are 

 liberally provided with stomata. The majority of species pro- 

 duce leaves tough in texture, full of oil glands, and are suspended 

 on their petioles, so that the edges are vertical — these provisions 

 being doubtless Nature's devices to protect the blade of the leaf 

 from the scorching Australian sun. 



As aids in the classification of these interesting plants we 



