524 



BOTANY. 



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

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

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



Many of the trees of this order furnish valuable timber. 



Myrtus 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 gldbuhiStfiie 'Sine (iuva, \s now much planted in . California. Its 

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



Fig. 467. 



Fig. 468. 



Wg. 466.— Vertical section of the flower of Myrtus communis. Magnified. 

 Fig. 467.— Vertical Bection of the flower bud of Eucalyptus globulus. Nat. Bize. 

 Fig. 468.— TranBverBe section of the ovary of Eucalyptus globulius. 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 witli copper-plating." (Mueller). E. resinifera, the Iron 

 Bark tree supplies a very heavy and exceedingly strong timber. 

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



Order Combretacese.— Tropical trees and shrubs, about 840 species. 

 A few species occur in South Florida. 



Order Bhizophoraceae.— Tropical trees and shrubs, about 50 spe- 

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

 America {BMzophora Mangle) ; it also occurs from Florida to Tex^p. 



504. Cohort XXVI.— Eosales. Flowers mostly actino- 

 morphjc; carpels one or more, psually quite free in bud, 



