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 (Wellingtonia) 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. 
diversicolor ) 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 $iids in the classification, of these interesting plants we 
