THE FALSE SANDALWOOD FAMILY. 279 



leaves, or rarely in terminal heads. Corolla uniform, 4-lobed 

 or bilabiate. Stamens nearly equal. Fruit a drupe-like 

 nut 2- or 4-celled. 



This family consists of about 40 species, chiefly natives of 

 Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands ; few are found 

 in the tropics. 



Bontia daphnoides. A small tree or shrub, native of 

 many parts of the seashores in the West Indies, and on 

 account of its resemblance to the olive, has long been known 

 by the name of . Barbadoes Wild Olive. It possesses no 

 special qualities or uses. 



Avicennia tomentosa. This is one of the trees called 

 Mangrove ; it occupies vast tracts of the seashores in tropical 

 countries, and extends south to New Zealand and Tasmania. 

 It is, like the true Mangrove, remarkable for extending its 

 domains seawards by strong roots, which rise out of the mud 

 in an arched entangled manner, again entering the mud and 

 sending up asparagus-like shoots, forming extensive im- 

 penetrable coast jungles. In Brazil and other parts, the 

 bark is used for tanning. It has opposite, entire, oblong 

 leaves, 2 to 3 inches in length, having white down on the 

 under surface, which has caused it to be called the White 

 Mangrove. 



Myoporum tenuifolium. A tree, native of the Sandwich 

 Islands, attaining the height of 15 to 20 feet, and a circum- 

 ference of 3 or 4 feet. The heart of the wood is fragrant, 

 and having some appearance of Sandalwood, is called 

 Spurious Sandalwood ; it also contains an essential oil, but 

 neither it nor the wood is esteemed like true Sandalwood. 

 Several species of Australian Myoporum^ as well as M. Icetum 

 of New Zealand, are cultivated in greenhouses as ornamental 

 plants. 3f. parvifolium is a compact trailing plant, with 

 numerous small pretty white flowers, and is very useful for 

 planting in ornamental vases. 



