New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-10-13
Academy Of Sciences.

lovers Of science, embracing many of the
fair sex. at the Academy Of Sciences or
Monday evening last. to hear the lecture Of
DR.. King on the origin of language. The
subject-a profound one-was treated in a
mastery manner by the learned lecturer.
He evinced deep research in his eloquent
portrayal Of the origin of language, CON-
mencing with the primitive ages of man,
and graphically depicting its progress to
the present period. The lecture was of
rare literary excellence, and after its de-
livery, vote of the members of the society
was taken, aud it was determined to re-
quest the authors permission to have it
published.
Although the lecture was the chief fea-
ture Of the evenings entertainment, Othr-
matters of most interesting nature we.c
discussed.
correspondence was read from the
secretary OF the French Academy of
Sciences, introducing an account Of a re-
markable tree, called lencalyptus globr-
lus, which it is thought can be introduced
into this country with great advantage
The French secretary inclosed with his
correspondence some of the seed Of this
valuable tree as present to the Academy
of Sciences here, with view to trial of
its adaptabilitv to our soil and climate.
The eucalyptus is Indigenous to Australia
and has been extensively and successfully
planted in Algeria for retaining, protecting
and making the vast deserts of that country
inhabitable. As Algeria is in about the
same latitude as Louisiana and Texas, it is |
thought this tree can be introduced into the |
prairies Of Attakapas in this State, the |
prairies Of Texas, and the great American |
desert, with great advantage. The tree is
Of speedy growth, is of large size, and is
valuable for all kinds of cabinet work. j.
attains full growth in about eight years:
and, in addition, ia q most durable wood for
any use to which it is applied. 1t is said to
grow best where the orange tree grows.
After the reading of the correspondence
in relation to this valuable tree. a spicy
discussion ensued as to its merits and
to our own country. The
discussion was scientific, and the gentlemen
who spoke were Professor Forshey, DR..
Soyes and General JEFF Thompson; and as
hey differed widely in their views of the
subject, it rendered the discussion the more
interesting to those who had the pleasure
II being present. Professor Forshey was of
opinion that no successful efforts could be
made in changing the climatology of
ountry. He asserted that the fall of rain
vas owing to the direction Of winds and
-icinity of the ocean, and that these could
lot be changed by planting exotic forests.
DR.. NOyes said he had seen forests grow ,
ng in the Nubian desert and vegetation sup
lied by water from artesan wells He be-
eved that climate, to great extent. was ..
ubject to mans control. His remarks. We I
bought, favored trial of the growth of the
ncalyptus in the prairies Of this country,
nd wherever good timber was needed. t
he fact that he had witnessed the cultiva-
ion of forests in the Nubian desert evil 8
emily inclined him to the belief that the g
anne thing might be done in the praries of
lis country.
General Thompson said he " ould like to
,e that desert. He believed in the tree, e
nd would speak from what he had SEEN '
e had passed over the arid plains of
ansas and Nebraska when they were de-
Did of vegetation. He had afterward seen 9
lem luxuriant with grain, and apple and {
each orchards. .
The remarks of General Thompson de-
dedly favored the trial of the growth of
lie eucalyptus in this country. q
1t must be admitted that man, aided by r.
'e light Of science, can do much, and the a
at the Academy of Sciences, for B
lis reason, are always interesting D