THE EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS. 
391 
soil is larger in bulk than that falling upon unsheltered ground ; 
in fact, that it is by means of large plantations that hot, dry 
climates are moistened and made habitable for Europeans. 
Secondly, M. Trottier brings abundant evidence to prove that 
of all other trees the Eucalyptus is best adapted for bringing 
about the physical change so necessary in Algeria, the aromatic 
odour of its leaves possessing strong anti-febrile qualities, 
whilst its timber, bark, and oil open up new sources of wealth 
and industry. Thirdly — and this is a vital point in the ques- 
tion at issue — it is unrivalled for its swiftness of growth. 
Large numbers are found in the South of France, partly be- 
cause the elegance of the tree and the abundance of shadow 
make it desirable in private gardens, but chiefly because none 
other springs up so fast. You build your villa, sow your Euca- 
lyptus seeds, and in seven years’ time may expect to see a 
flourishing grove of forest trees fifty feet high. In some cases 
they have been known to reach a height of thirty yards in ten 
years, and two yards a year is no unusually rapid growth. 
There is something extremely fascinating in results so rapid 
and on so large a scale. Here indeed we do not plant trees for 
posterity, but for ourselves ; and, granted favourable conditions, 
with a packet of seeds no larger than a mustard-seed, we may 
confidently look forward to the enjoyment of our forest in a few 
years ; a forest, moreover, not only ornamental but useful, 
attracting the birds and the bees, and dispensing healthful 
influences around. Opinions vary as to the manner in which 
these sanitary influences are effected. The aromatic oil or 
essence distilled from the leaves may be compared to camphor, 
peppermint, and other antiseptics, whilst the bark possesses 
many of the qualities of quinine. 
A very large number of experiments have been made in sup- 
port of these theories, with almost invariable success. M. 
Trottier cites his own farm as an instance of the anti-febrile 
properties of the Eucalyptus, where, except in two cases, mainly 
owing to imprudence, no fever had occurred since the growing up 
of his plantations. Consul Playfair’s report for 1877, quoted in 
the Times , mentions a single mining company having planted 
100,000 trees at Mokta-el-Hadiet. Previously the workmen could 
not remain there during the summer on account of the un- 
healthiness of the place; those who attempted to do so died, and 
it was necessary to convey the labourers to and fro by rail every 
morning. Since the planting of the Eucalyptus the workmen are 
able to live on the spot all the year round. The company of 
military engineers alone have planted a large tract with 102,060 
trees, now forming a flourishing young forest of eight years’ 
growth. Algerian travellers who happen, like the present writer, 
to have traversed the plain of the Sig, in the province of Oran, 
