THE SUB-TROPICAL ZONE. 147 



One tree must nevertheless be particularly mentioned, 

 both on account of its useful properties and the peculiar 

 manner in which it grows ; this is the Argan-tree of Morocco 

 (Argarna Sideroxylon] , " very little known in Europe, even 

 to botanists/' of which a very interesting account is given 

 in the 'Journal of Botany' for April, 1854. This tree 

 grows more or less throughout the States of Western Bar- 

 bary, forming woods in the southern and western regions 

 of the kingdom of Morocco, principally in the province 

 of Haka, and south of Mogador. The tree has a very 

 uncommon appearance, from the disproportion which exists 

 between its low stature and its circumference ; the individual 

 whose dimensions are given is only sixteen or eighten feet 

 in height, whilst the circumference is two hundred and 

 twenty. One of the chief peculiarities is that the trunk, 

 which measures twenty-six feet round, branches off at the 

 height of three feet, so that the branches actually rest upon 

 the ground, till at the length of fifteen feet from the trunk 

 hey begin to ascend. The roots extend to a great distance 

 underground, sending up shoots at intervals; by which 

 means, it appears, the tree is propagated, as well as by seed. 

 Prom the appearance of some of the trees, they are sup- 

 posed to be from one to two hundred years old; the one 



