COMBRETACE. 553 
still more numerous. Ovary inferior, 2- 3- or 4-celled, each cell 
with 2 or more ovules. /'rwit indehiscent, 1-celled, 1-seeded, 
crowned by the calyx. Seed pendulous, exalbuminous, usually 
germinating while the fruit is still attached to the tree. 
Distribution and Nwmbers.—Natives of muddy sea-shores 
in tropical regions. Illustrative Genera :—Rhizophora, Lam 
Bruguiera, Lam. There are about 20 species. 
Properties wud Uses.—Generally remarkable for their astrin- 
gent properties, whence they are used for dyeing and tanning ; 
they are also used medicinally for their febrifugal and tonic 
properties. 
er) 
Rhizophora Mangle—The Mangrove-tree.—The bark is sometimes im- 
ported into this country as a tanning material, but it is not much used. 
The fruit is sweet and edible, and its juice when fermented forms a kind of 
wine. 
Order 2. CoMBRETACE®, the Myrobalans Order.—Charac- 
ter.—Trees or shrubs. Leaves alternate or opposite, exstipu- 
late, entire, without dots. Flowers perfect or unisexual. Calyx 
superior, with a 4—+-lobed deciduous limb. Petals equal in 
number to, and alternate with, the lcbes of the calyx ; often 
absent. Stamens inserted with the petals on the calyx, gene- 
rally twice as numerous as its lobes, or thrice as many, or 
sometimes equal to them in number ; anthers 2-celled, with 
longitudinal or valvular dehiscence. Ovary inferior, 1-celled, 
with 2—4 ovules ; style and stigma simple. Fruit indehiscent, 
l-seeded. Seed pendulous, exalbuminous; cotyledons leafy, 
convolute or plaited. 
Distribution and Numbers.—Exclusively natives of the tro- 
pical parts of America, Africa, and Asia.— Illustrative Genera :— 
Terminalia, Linn. ; Combretum, Ldéffl. There are about 200 
species. 
Properties and Uses.—The order is chiefly remarkable for the 
presence of an astringent principle ; hence the bark of some 
species, and the fruits and flowers of others. are employed in 
tanning and dyeing. Some yield excellent timber. 
Combretum butyrosum, a native of South-eastern Africa, produces a kind 
of vegetable butter, which is called Chiquito by the Cafires, by whom it is 
used to dress their victuals. 
Quisqualis indica.—The seeds are in repute in the Moluccas for their 
anthelmintic properties. 
Terminalia.—The fruits of several species are largely imported into this 
country under the name of Myrobalans or Myrabolams. The principal 
kinds of myrobalans are the Chebulic and the Belleric ; the first is obtained 
from T. Caebula, and the latter from 7. be/lerica. Myrobalans are princi- 
pally used by calico printers for the production of a black colour which is 
very permanent. They are also employed by the tanner. The belleric 
myrobalans have been also called Basturd Myrobalans and Bedda Nuts. 
The flowers of 7. Chebula are used as a dye in Travancore, and the ripe 
fruit is said to be an efficient purgative. he pulp of the fruit of Emblic 
yrobalans ( Terminalia E-mblica) is also said to be laxative, and useful in 
ae. 
