"Stems of the soaring eucalypts that rise
Four hundred friendly feet to glad the skies."
1887. J. F. Hogan, `The Irish in Australia,' p. 126:
"There is no unmixed good, it is said, on this mundane sphere, and the evil that has accompanied the extensive settlement of Gipps Land during recent years is to be found in the widespread destruction of the forests, resulting in a disturbance of the atmospheric conditions and the banishment of an ever-active agent in the preservation of health, for these eucalypts, or gum-trees, as they are generally called, possess the peculiar property of arresting fever-germs and poisonous exhalations. They have been transplanted for this especial purpose to some of the malaria-infested districts of Europe and America, and with pronounced success. Australia, to which they are indigenous, has mercilessly hewn them down in the past, but is now repenting of its folly in that respect, and is replanting them at every seasonable opportunity."
1892. A. Sutherland, `Elementary Geography of British Colonies,' p. 270:
"Throughout the whole of Australia the prevailing trees are eucalypts, known generally as gum-trees on account of the gum which they secrete, and which may be seen standing like big translucent beads on their trunks and branches."
<hw>Eucalyptene</hw>, <i>n.</i> the name given by Cloez to a hydrocarbon obtained by subjecting <i>Eucalyptol</i> (q.v.) to dehydration by phosphorus pentoxide. The same name has also been given by other chemists to a hydrocarbon believed to occur in eucalyptus oil.
<hw>Eucalyptian</hw>, <i>adj</i>. playfully formed; not in common use.
1870. A. L. Gordon, `Bush Ballads,' p. 8:
"Gnarl'd, knotted trunks Eucalyptian
Seemed carved, like weird columns Egyptian,
With curious device—quaint inscription
And hieroglyph strange."
<hw>Eucalyptic</hw>, <i>adj</i>. full of gumtrees.