July, 1880. 
THE CHEMIST AND DRUGGIST. 
21 
Jloticc of $ook. 
Eucalyptographia : A descriptive Atlas of the Eucalypts of 
Australia and the adjoining Islands. By Baron Ferd. 
von Mueller , K.C.M.G . , fyc. Sixth decade . 
We have received from the Government Botanist the sixth 
decade of the important work of Baron von Mueller, on the 
Eucalypts of Australia. The present number is the most 
valuable of those hitherto issued, and containing as it does a 
full botanical description of the Eucalyptus globulus, is 
especially interesting. The learned and accomplished botanist, 
with his usual laboriousness, gives us also a complete biblio- 
graphy on the subject, which will be found very useful to 
scientific botanists. The lithographic illustrations of this, as 
of the preceding decades, are exceedingly well done, giving 
in life-like exactness all the parts of those remarkable plants. 
As Baron von Mueller was the first to draw attention to the 
peculiar characteristics of the Eucalypts, and more par- 
ticularly the Eucalyptus globulus, his historical references 
will be read with interest by botanists in Europe. It would 
appear that we owe to the enlightened foresight of Baron von 
MUeller, (when Director of the Botanic Gardens), and Mons. 
Prosper Ramel, the transmission of the seeds of the Eucalyptus 
globulus to France, Algeria, and Italy ; in the two latter 
countries this tree so important for reboisement purposes, and 
in a sanitary point of view has been extensively cultivated 
with the best results. In the Campagna the planting of the 
Eucalyptus globulus, from seeds supplied by Baron von 
Miieller, has produced the most wholesome effects upon the 
poisonous air of the Pontinian swamps, thus solving a pro- 
blem in sanitation that has baffled the ablest rulers from the 
days of Appius Claudius to our own times ! 
We do not intend to write a review of these contributions 
to botanical science, as it would be, perhaps, beyond the scope 
of our journal, and therefore, must conclude by referring to a 
few points which are more particularly interesting, and to 
which, in justice to our eminent but insufficiently appreciated 
author, we feel it our duty to draw attention. The careful 
and exhaustive experiments made, under the direction of 
Baron von Miieller, upon the quality, strength, and durability 
of this timber, are worthy of close examination by builders 
and others. Upon the yield of Potash from the Eucalyptus 
globulus some valuable data are given, the result of experi- 
ments made by the author. Upon the febrifuge properties of 
the Eucalyptus some details will be found, which will interest 
those who believe in the therapeutical value of the Eucalypts. 
We cannot speak too highly of this work, the publication of 
which does credit to the Government of Victoria. — C. R. B. 
BALLARAT. 
We are in receipt of the annual report of the School of Mines, 
Ballarat, which deals exhaustively with the progress and work 
of the school during the past year, which seems to have merged 
from the uncertain babyhood of existence, and to have de- 
veloped into a robust youthfulness. Its finances appear to be 
on a more satisfactory, reliable, and permanent basis, and the 
superstructure, so to speak, of intellectuality, which will, we 
think, be endeavoured to raise on it, will be both utile et dulce , 
and alike creditable to the council, registrar, lecturers, and the 
country at large. With much pleasure we note the appoint- 
ment of permanent professors and lecturers as a great advance- 
ment in the school’s history, and having the honour of knowing 
some of the scientific capabilities of the appointees, we have 
every confidence that the prestige of the school will be greatly 
advanced and benefited thereby. It seems a pity that as yet 
no gentleman ha,s answered the appeal of the council to lead 
the way in forming a microscopical society, but the absence of 
special scientists in a provincial city is unfortunately by no 
means rare. Nearly thirty certificates have been granted by 
the council to those attendants of the school who have success- 
fully passed their examinations. The number of pupils during 
the year has been 266 for the four terms, and Government 
subsidy received, only £862 3s. 5d. Classes have been held in 
Euclid, algebra, logarithms, trigonometry mining and land 
surveying, mechanical engineering, elementary, organic, in- 
organic and pharmaceutical chemistry, botany and materia 
medica, animal physiology and telegraphy. In addition to the 
above subjects the council intend securing lecturers for geology, 
mineralogy, electricity, and magnetism, Since last report 
1220 assays and analyses have been made, and upwards of 
22,000 ozs. of gold and 500 ozs. of silver melted for the 
public. We have before alluded to the council’s great desire 
to increase the facilities for the introduction of free students, 
and with this view arrangements have been completed 
whereby a donor of £50 can always have one free student at 
the school, or an annual subscriber of £6 6s., after the second 
year, the right of retaining three students on the school-roll. 
. It appears to us that the school offers grand facilities to our 
rising young men for acquiring scientific knowledge cheaply 
and profitably, and the only apparent difficulty in the way is 
how to popularise it more. To say that the two Ballarats, 
with their large populations, has only some seventy of their 
youths attending the classes at the School of Mines is at 
present, perhaps, an unjust reflection on their scientific 
aspirations. Time, the great magician, will, however, we 
hope, soon alter this ; and now that the council’s endeavours to 
thoroughly establish the schools having been to a certain 
extent consummated, we hope to see their energy directed into 
popularising it, and in educating parents to see the many 
and great advantages the school offers our children over, 
above, and beyond the ordinary amusements now followed by 
them. We cannot do better than cull from the addendum to 
the report a clause which we think merits general attention : — 
“ The council take the opportunity of again inviting 
inventors and manufacturers to exhibit at the school any kind 
of appliance for the more effective carrying on of operations 
in connection with the great industry of mining, or with any 
other industry. Beside the direct advantage to the class of 
persons indicated, a positive benefit to the community at 
large is likely to arise from the adoption of such a scheme. 
But the council are the more anxious to obtain this co-opera- 
tion, in order to render the school as useful as possible ; for 
although instruction and examinations in the art of mining, 
and in the sciences pertaining thereto, are doubtless of primary 
importance, it cannot be denied that the public naturally look 
to this institution for a solution of difficulties met with in the 
practice of the art, and the practical application of those 
sciences, the teaching of which is generally considered 
peculiarly within the province of a school of mines and 
industries.” 
BALLARAT DISTRICT CHEMISTS’ ASSOCIATION. 
The usual monthly meeting of the association was held at 
Lester’s Hotel, Sturt-street, on Wednesday evening 21st July. 
There was a fair attendance of members. 
The president, Mr. Palmer, occupied the chair. The minutes 
of previous meeting were read and confirmed. 
The hon. secretary read a letter from Mr. Joseph Bradbury, 
of Sandhurst, asking for a copy of the rules of the associa- 
tion, and seeking information relative thereto, with the 
intention of initiating a similar association in that city. The 
hon. secretary said he had forwarded a copy of the rules as 
requested, and had written to Mr. Bradbury, stating the 
pleasure the members of the association here would derive 
from the knowledge that their hands would probably be 
strengthened by the formation of a kindred association at 
Sandhurst, and hoping that no obstacles would prevent its 
immediate formation, and that the association here would be 
most happy to render all the aid in its power to help them 
forward. The action of the secretary was endorsed by the 
meeting. 
The hon. secretary stated that there were several reasons 
which prompted him to resign his position as member of the 
Pharmaceutical Council, and wished the association to allow 
him to do so. All the members present regarded such an action 
as highly undesirable, as they considered it very important 
that the association should be represented on the council, and 
unanimously passed a resolution urging upon the secretary 
not to resign, and adopting measures to remove some of the 
obstacles that had arisen. Several additions and alterations 
were made to the price-list, and a hundred copies ordered 
to be printed. A vote of thanks to the chair closed the 
meeting. 
Personalities, 
Mr. John Reed, formerly of St. Arnaud, and Mr. O. M 
Davies have both opened very pretty new shops at St. Hilda 
Pharmacy is exceedingly well represented in this suburb now 
