SETTLEMENTS ON THE DEMERARY, &C. 255 



feet in height, and six feet in circumference, and is covered 

 with a greyish bark. It bears white flowers, succeeded by 

 small red berries. : v : 



The launa tree grows to the height of about fifty feet; is 

 covered with a grey bark, and sends out numerous branches. 

 The flowers, which are white, are succeeded by a fruit of the 

 size and shape of an hen's egg; it is covered by a whitish 

 green skin, and its substance is somewhat like an apple. 

 The juice of the fruit is at first almost colourless, but in a 

 short time acquires a deep purple colour. It is made use of 

 by the Indians for painting their bodies. The colour, how- 

 ever, lasts only for a short time. 



The red mangrove tree affords a most curious instance of the 

 care with which nature protects her productions from sur- 

 rounding dangers. This tree is of considerable size, and is 

 covered by a grey bark; it has numerous branches, covered 

 by oval leaves. It arises from several roots. The ramifica- 

 tions of each root unite into one small trunk, which pierces 

 the earth, and rises two or three yards from the surface of the 

 ground, before it unites with its fellows to form the main 

 trunk of the tree. This tree grows in a loose wet soil, by the 

 side of streams of water, and therefore is guarded from the 

 injury which might arise from the instability of the soil. 

 Slender shoots, about three inches in circumference, bare of 



