524 



BOTANY. 



cm. (4-6 inches) in diameter, inside of which are a number of rough 

 oily seeds, the Brazil Nuts of commerce. Closely related to this is the 

 Monkey Pot, whose woody-shelled liuit is dehiscent by a circular lid. 



Many of the trees of this order furnish valuable timber. 



Myitus communis, the Myrtle Tree of Western Asia, yields a hard 

 mottled wood much esteemed in turnery. (Fig. 466.) 



Eucalyptus, sp., the Gum Trees of Australia and Tasmania. These 

 are large stately trees, often rising to the height of fifty to one hun- 

 dred metres (150-300 feet), and occasionally even exceeding this. The 

 timber furnished by them is in some cases of great value, being tough 

 and durable. (Figs. 467-8.) 



E. globulux, the Blue Gum, is now much planted in California. Its 

 timber is valuable, but shrinks greatly in drying. E. inarginatn. " the 

 Jarrah or Mahogany tree of Southwestern Australia is famed for its in- 

 destructible wood, which is attacked neither by Chelura, Teredo, nor 



Fig. 466. Vertical section of the flower of Myrlua communis. Magnified. 

 Fig. 467. Vertical section of the flower bud of Euealyptus globulu. Nat. size. 

 Fig. 468. Transverse section of the ovary of Eucalyptus globulus. Magnified. 



Termes, and therefore much sought for jetties and other structures ex- 

 posed to sea water, also for underground work, and largely exported 

 for railway sleepers. Vessels built of this timber have been enabled 

 to do away with copper-plating." (Mueller). E. resinifem, the Iron 

 Bark tree supplies a very heavy and exceedingly strong timber. 

 Species of Eugenia, Myrtus, etc., are grown in conservatories. 



Order Combretaceee. Tropical trees and shrubs, about 240 species. 

 A few species occur in South Florida. 



Order Rhizophoraceae. Tropical trees and shrubs, about 50 spe- 

 cies, the most important of which is the Mangrove Tree of tropical 

 America (Rhizophora Mangle) ; it also occurs from Florida to Texas. 



594. Cohort XXVI. Resales. Flowers mostly actino- 

 morphic ; carpels one or more, usually quite free in bud, 



