The San Francisco call., 1907-03-24

ieathery in texture. arc studded with
glands, which contain 10 grant. vola-
tile oil. Bees are strongly attracted TO
the eucalypti whose leaves have an
aromatic, balsamic. bitter taste. which
seems to draw the bees wherever II Is
found.
The commercial uses OF eucalyptus
are legion. 1t furnishes timber for the
building OF wharves. ships and bridges.
which is impervious to the attacks OF
the teredo or shipworn- This timber
is also used in a variety OF ways
furniture making. implement designing
and much underground work, for which
IT is peculiarly fitted owing to It's dur
ability.
windbreak. It's leaves are employed for
cleaning out the incrustations OF boil
ers and provide innumerable oils and
essences for use IN the medical world.
The principal claim for the medicinal
virtue OF the eucalyptus Is prophylac-
tic but by the Spanish its healing
power is regarded with a confidence
akin to superstition 1t is supposed
70 be an effectuaI remedy for malariaI
conditions. and In proof OF this Is cited
the case Of the c1oiSter OF st. Paolo
a Ia tire Fontana. where q single tree
was planted in 1870, since when the
monastery has become habitable dur
ing lte year, lnOQSn SITUATED IN one
of the most fever-stricken districts OF
the Roman Cnmpagna- AS the euca-
lyDtus Hourishes in marshes and
svanipy. places it's effect on rnalariaI
climates is doubtless due to the drain
age OF the wet ground Effected hy It's
roots. One certain species OF the
cucalypti is known as the fever tree.
The leaves have a bitter taste and
serve to increase the flow OF saliva.
thus facilitating digestion. When the
Juice Of these leaves is swallowed fe
gives a pleasant feeling OF warmth to
the stomach, and generally aids IN In
creasing the appetite. A full dose OF
this juice II given to a person in full
health will often cause sleeplessness.
but when taken by those in a weak
or anaemic condition drowsiness and
needed sleep are oftener the results
Eucalyptus oil is a produce well known
in medicine and is the essence distilled
from these same leaves. The branches
OF the eucalyptus globulus are used to
prevent the inroads OF moths. and II
is said that one OF the largest clothing
houses in Los Angeles has enrOwn away
its supply of ill-smelling, distastefuI
moth balls and replaced IL with the
pungent, aromatic eucalyptus leaves.
Withstands the Drought
The ability OF the eucalyptus to
to be planted in large numbers along
the line OF the Southern Pacific. where
it renders. yeoman service in keeping
of mosquitoes and improving the land
scape. The tree is rapidly becoming
naturalized in California by means or
it's seeds. for in one ounce OF we'll
siftee. blue gum seeds there are 10000
fertile grains. Some of the trees have
a girth of fifty feet. but the most
valuable OF all is eucalyptus rnarginata.
the jarrah tree. which often attains a
height OF 10 feet without the develop
ment OF any limbs. and which can show
a girth OF 10 feet The peppermint
tree is principally useful for its profuss
yield of oil Eucalyptus robusta, the
swamp mahogany tree. IS the one most
frequently planted in swampY places.
This tree produces timber which IL re-
markably durable, and it is also one OF
the best for bees on account OF its
abundant nectar and profuse bloom.
De Maupassant should have written
of the eucalypti That past master OF
words would have seen a thousand ex-
quisite, shimmering beauties in fts
mysterious grayish- green shades. 70
him each quivering leaf would have
been radiant mystery; each pala
branch reaching heavenward through a
mist Of blue, wear a meaning OF infinite
cnarm- The royal monarch born OF
australian soil. transplanted TO Calf
rornia, to him would be full OF a ma
5estic and storied past. whose splendor
and power his tnimitable pen could noR-
tray