( 7* ) 



and become fo many props to fupport 

 the tree againft the force of the current 

 tide, and to compenfate for the loofe- 

 nefs of foil in which they grow, and 

 altogether form an alrncft impenetrable 

 thicket. The branches are covered 

 with green oval leaves. The flower is 

 a fmall hufky conic calyx, confiding of 

 four browniflb petals, which furround 

 the piftil, to this fucceeds a flattifh 

 brown pod, containing feveral kernels 

 refembling beans. The external cu- 

 ticle of the bark is of a light grey, 

 but its internal fubftance is red, and 

 highly aftringent, and is ufed by the 

 Spaniards for tanning leather. The 

 wood is heavy, folid, and durable. I 

 ought to have premifed, that this tree 

 grows only in a low wet foil, by the fide 

 of current water. There is a fpecies of 

 White Upland Mangrove, which grows 

 at a diilance from water, and which, 

 as Nature never does any thing in vain, 



is 



