Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 2.djvu/268

254 a timber that when green is soft and easily worked, and that when dry becomes very hard. Eucalyptus has been introduced with success both into Europe and California, and the valuable character of the tree is becoming more and more appreciated as its properties are better known. Ramel first brought it into Europe in 1856, and it has since flourished in the southern portion of the continent. As far north as Paris, however, it does not thrive, the winters proving too cold for it. Owing to the great absorbent power of its roots and leaves, and the fact that the latter yield a strong aromatic odor, the tree is regarded as peculiarly suitable for marshy and unhealthy districts. The leaves contain a notable quantity of a volatile aromatic oil, and afford, both in the fresh and dry state, a very fluid essence, which is slightly colored, and gives off an aromatic odor that reminds one of camphor.

The following preparations are at present manufactured from Eucalyptus:

1. The essence already spoken of, which is administered in doses of a few grms. in the form of globules.

2. Leaf-powder, which contains all the active principles of the plant (essence, tannin, bitter principle), and which is prescribed in doses of 4, 8, 12, and even 16 grms. daily.

3. The infusion and decoction of the leaves. With half a leaf (about 1 grm.) it is possible to aromatize three or four cups, affording a good substitute for tea. This is employed as a stimulating drink. For topical applications, 8 grms. in decoction, in a litre of water, forms a liquor well charged with the principles indicated.

4. Water distilled from the leaves, which may be advantageously used with stimulating drinks.

5. Aqueous extract, alcoholic extract, employed as febrifuges.

6. Tincture or alcoholate.

7. A liquor, which is similar to the liquor of mastic, and a wine, which is a tonic and febrifuge.

8. Cigars and cigarettes.

Dr. Gimbert has studied on himself the effects of essence of Eucalyptus when taken into the system. He took various doses of from 10 to 20 drops, and found it had a soothing effect. It diminishes the vascular tension, and the sense of comfort arising from it induces sleep. A very strong dose produces temporary excitement, headache, and slight fatigue.

New Method for disintegrating Wheat.—An inventor of Bristol, England, has contrived a mill for reducing wheat to flour, which is said to do the work much more rapidly than millstones, and at the same time yields a vastly superior product. The arrangement consists of iron cages containing revolving radii, driven at the rate of four hundred revolutions a minute, which almost instantaneously reduces the wheat to powder. At Edinburgh two such mills have been running for more than a year. Each one does the work of twenty-seven pair of ordinary millstones, with a saving of five and a half per cent, in favor of the new mill. The bread made from the flour which this mill turns out is pronounced remarkable for its lightness and good keeping qualities.

Instinct at Fault in a Humming-Bird.—Says a correspondent in the Bulletin of the Torry Botanical Club: "I was reminded the other day of the story told by Pliny, of the painter Zeuxis, who represented a bunch of grapes so naturally that the birds flew at the picture to eat the fruit. My friend Mrs. P. W. told us that a gentleman, the Rev. Mr. P., was sitting on the piazza of her house with his feet encased in a pair of worked slippers, adorned with some highly-colored flowers, and that she saw a humming-bird repeatedly peck at the flowers, in the vain attempt to find in them his accustomed nourishment. This curious fact seems to indicate that the attraction in such cases is not due to the odor of the flowers, but simply to their bright color; and that the Greek story is not so improbable, after all"

White Partridge-Berries.—Of this berry, sometimes called Squawberry, and which is normally a brilliant scarlet, a good many white ones were found this autumn at Canaan, Conn. The white berries grew on separate vines, ripened like the red ones, but were much larger.