RIIIZOPHORE.E. x- 23 



crown of the root gradually lengthen until they reach the 

 soft muddy soil, or, if too high, drop, and. fixing themselves 

 in the muddy bottom, immediately strike root at one end, 

 while leaves unfold at the other. 



The Mangroves form thickets along our sea const, 

 wherever there is marsh or lagoon. They are far from 

 adding any beauty to the landscape : on the contrary, they 

 give a gloomy desolate appearance, and are associated in 

 our minds with ideas of malaria, and disease. The pre- 

 sence of these trees indeed is a sure indication of the 

 unhealthiness of a locality. Certain situations along the 

 sea coast have been found to be healthy. The soil in 

 such places will be found to be dry and porous, 

 and, above all, no mangrove trees will be found in 

 the immediate vicinity. The shade they afford is 

 not dense, but the thicket they form is not easily 

 penetrated, from the roots that are sent down from 

 every branch. These roots are rather thicker than 

 the thumb, round, smooth, simple, straight. They do not, 

 as far as my observation goes, become thicker in course 

 of time, so as to assume the appearance and function of 

 stems. Such however would, I have no doubt be the 

 case, were the original stem destroyed. When they 

 reach the mud, they throw out numerous fibres, or root- 

 lets, and thus furnish a more copious and additional sup- 

 ply of nourishment to the tree. By this interlacing of the 

 roots, they doubtless serve to detain the mould washed 

 down by floods, and thus assist in converting useless and 

 pestiferous ponds or marshy grounds, into rich and fertile 

 lands. 



The bark of this tree, is known as the red Mangrove. 

 It is much employed for tanning. It is stronger than oak 

 bark, and is well adapted for the preparation of sole lea- 

 ther. 



II. Cassipourea. 



Calyx campanulate, 5-fid. Petals 3, attenu- 

 ated at the base, with the margin or apex fimbri- 

 a to-lacerated. Stamens 20-40, inserted at the 

 base of the calyx, arranged in a single row. Style 

 longer than the stamens : stigma obtuse. Fruit 

 covered with the calyx, 3-celled, 3-valved, with 

 the cells bi-oviiled, but by abortion one-seeded. 



