306 POPULAE GEOGRAPHY OF PLANTS. 



to the Clusias] . This tree is found only in the hottest parts 

 of South America ; the leaves are jointed, the shape of the 

 leaflets being similar to the leaves of the Portugal Laurel/ 

 and the blossom, which has five most regular petals, each 

 an inch in length, looks like a beautiful large star, or rather 

 like a star in a mist, for a peculiarity which. distinguishes it 

 is a multiplicity of hair-like stamens, twice the length of 

 the petals, which extend on all sides far beyond the corolla. 



Some of the species of a tree called Gomphia (Natural 

 Order Ochnaee&} t with dense clusters of flowers, are also 

 easily distinguished from the rest by the size and. symmetry 

 of their magnificent elliptical leaves, sometimes as much as 

 seven inches long and four broad. One more tree (belong- 

 ing to the Verbena family) must also be mentioned for the 

 beauty of its leaves, the Vitex. The blossoms, which grow 

 in axillary clusters, are not very large ; neither are the leaves 

 (which are trifoliate) remarkable for their size ; but, in one 

 species, the beauty of their colour and texture gives them 

 the appearance of the softest light green velvet. 



One of the commonest trees of all in these Catingas is 

 the Magonia gldbrata, St. Hil. (Nat, Ord. Sapindacea). 

 This tree exhibits the propensity which so rarely exists in 

 the tropical woods and forests, to grow gregariously, to the 



