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APPENDIX. . 
A TENTATIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY OF EUCALYPTUS OIL. 
ANCIENT HISTORY. 
(1788-1797. 1830.) 
I present some scanty references from the earliest years of settlement. Then 
conies an important reference (Fraser, 1830). I do not submit these bibliographical 
references as complete, by any means. But they are sufficiently so for my present 
purpose, which is to draw attention to the principal works prior to the flood of literature 
during the last few years. Some of the references are comprehensive, and suggest 
others. 
1788. The original description of Eucalyptus by L'Heritier in 1788 does not 
refer to the oil. It was based on material in Sir Joseph Banks's herbarium collected in 
Tasmania (not then known to be an island), collected by Anderson and Nelson in 
Captain Cook's Second Voyage. It is quite a coincidence that while the genus 
Eucalyptus was being founded by a Frenchman in London, Surgeon Considen was 
during the same year, distilling the first Eucalyptus oil in Port Jackson. 
The nomen nudum for Eucalyptus (Aromadendrum Anderson) of course referred 
to the oil in the leaves. (See p. 20, vol. 1 of my " Critical Revision of the Genus 
Eucalyptus.") 
I wrote some years ago, " I name this species (E. Consideniana) in honour of First Assistant Surgeon 
D. Considen, one of the founders of Australia. In reviewing the ' Historical Records of New South Wales,' 
(vol. i, Part 2) in the Sydney Morning Herald of 23rd July, 1892, 1 drew attention to the fact that Considen's 
letter, dated 18th November, 1788, to Sir Joseph Banks, is perhaps the most interesting one in the collection 
to the student of economic botany. From the following passage it would appear that Considen was the 
founder of the Eucalyptus oil industry : ' We have a large peppermint tree, which is equal, if not superior, 
to our English peppermint. I have sent you a specimen of it. If there is any merit in applying these and 
many other simples to the benefit of the poor wretches here, I certainly claim it, being the first who discovered 
and recommended them.' At this time a bottle of Eucalyptus oil was sent to Sir Joseph Banks by 
Governor Phillip. I further wrote in the review ; ' I think that some effort should be made to rescue 
the name of the first user of Australian plants from oblivion. I trust that at least a species will be named 
after the pioneer before many months are over.' I regret that the matter slipped my memory on more than 
one occasion, but I now dedicate to his memory a species very closely allied to that from which he distilled 
the first Australian Eucalyptus oil." (Proc. Linn. Soc. N.S.W., 475, 1904.) 
It will be observed that, in this earliest report on Eucalyptus oil, its medicinal 
value was drawn attention to. 
1793.- " A fine essential oil, much like that of Peppermint, is obtained from this species (E. piperila), 
and every part of the dried plant exhales the same odour when rubbed. We are now convinced this is 
distinct from the following (E. obliqua), having compared the flowers of both. At the same time we have 
observed the minute white spots on the leaves (If kite's Foy.,228)in E. piperita, as well as in the other." 
Zoolagy and Botany of New Holland, by G. Shaw and J. E. Smith, 1793, vol. i, p. 42.) 
