Mangrove. 



CHAPTEK X. 



MANGROVE VEGETATION. 



Its Peculiarities of Growth and beautiful Adaptation to its Site — Its Importance 

 in furthering the Growth of Land — Animal Life among the Mangroves — 

 " Jumping Johnny " — Victimised by a Grapsus — Insalubrity of the Man- 

 grove Swamps — Uses of the Mangrove Trees — Avicennias and Sonncratias. 



IN the tropical zone, wherever the reflux of the tide exposes a 

 broad belt of alluvial soil, the shores of the sea, parti- 

 cularly along the estuaries of rivers or in the shallow lagoons, 

 are generally found fringed with a dense vegetation of man- 

 groves. For no plants are more admirably adapted for securing 

 a footing on the unstable brink of the ocean, — none are better 

 formed to lead an amphibious life. 



The growth of these salt-water loving trees {Ehizophora 

 gyrmwrrhiza, M, Mangle) is equally peculiar and picturesque. 

 The seeds germinate on the branches, and, increasing to a con- 



