NOTES ON THE EUCALYPTI OF AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5192, 12 November 1877, Page 3

NOTES ON THE EUCALYPTI OF AUSTRALIA.

(By H. W. W.) Some time ago X saw in the New Zealand Times an article on the WellingtoniaGigautea, before which was a short letter from, I presume its author, whose initials appended I forget, stating his reasons for thus bringing some remarkable facts relative to that wonderful tree before the public. It was my intention to show that his assertion, that the Welliugtonia is the highest species of tree in the world, is erroneous; neverthele-s, I venture now, with the hope that it is not too late, and that some of the readers of this journal may remember the article in question. Whilst living in Melbourne, during the long vacation of an institution to which I belonged, frequent opportunities were at my disposal of visiting the up-country districts; of passing a week or so in the mountain regions of Victoria, among the spurs of the Southern Alps, or in the neighborhood of some of its extinct volcanoes, and from my own observations I have no hesitation in saying that many of the Eucalypti are over 400 ft. high. Baron Von Mueller, the Government Botanist, states that many are over 430 ft.; and Mr. Ferguson, Inspector of State Forests on the Watt’s Kiver, asserts that he measured a fallen one, and found it to be 485 ft. from the roots to the top of its tru-ik, where it was 3ft. in diameter; when standing, he says it must, with branches, have been over 500 ft. Now if I mistake not the Welliugtonia never exceeds 430 ft. The species of gnm tree mentioned is that known to botanists as Eucalyptus amygdalina, aud to the settlers as “ mountain ash,” sometimes also as white gum. There are upwards of thirty varieties of the Eucalyptus, of which the principal are—E. globulus (blue gum), E. rostrata or robusta (red gum), E. obliqua (stringybark), E. oliosa (mallee scrub), E. piperita (peppermint.) With a companion I had the pleasure of spending a week under canvas in the immediate vicinity of these giants, and will quote from an article written by me at the time to one of the Melbourne newspapers. It will give a faint idea of some of the beauties of Australian scenery, which are so little known to the general public : “Our next tramp was up Mount Juliet. Before starting from our camp we threw off coats and waistcoats, supplied ourselves with a good stout stick each, a little brandy, and finally a small quantity of dry lunch. Then set out for the mount, distant eight miles. We reached the base in due course after passing through some of the loveliest scenery in the colony—tall graceful gum trees towering above our heads, with long strips of pendent bark, like immense rolls of cinnamon, showing underneath the pale green new bark, clustering musk (Atherosperma rnoschata), umbrellashaped fern trees, interspersed here and there with the sassafras, the mountain stream babbling over mossy boulders, together formed a scene of almost unrivalled beauty. Soon after this commenced the tug of war in the shape of two miles of zig-zag, which we did in fine style, sometimes at a run, our motto being “ forward.” About three-fourths of the way up there is an icy cold well, little if any affected by the temperature of the air (about 90deg. Fahr.). Trickling down the granite rocks it is too tempting to the wayfarer to pass without acceeding to its musical appeal. The view from the top is grand indeed. On a clear day the bay, the Van Yean, the Baw Baw, into Arnold and Maeedon, may distinctly be seen. The height of Mount Juliet is 3625 feet above sea level. During the descent my friend commenced suddenly to perform a pas sftd without saying a word. I naturally accompanied him with the best musical instrument to be had on the occasion- a stick—on a tiger snake’s tail; but the reptile seemed to object, and got away ; I hope a little the worse after the said performance. This snake is one of the most deadly of its species, and is said to jump from its cover when disturbed. My friend expressed it jus his opinion that on this occasion such was the ease.”

In concluding I would merely remark that it has often been a matter of surprise to me that other varieties besides the E. globulus have not been cultivated. Many are hardy, graceful, of quick growth, and possess highly agreeable perfumes, e.y., the lemon, scented gum, and others.