so WONDERS OF THE IROPICAL FORESTS, 
name of tlie snake-tree. Sir Emerson Teniient mentions 
an aveBoe of these trees leading to the botanical garden 
of PeradenjEj in Ceyloiij the roots of which meet from 
either side of the ruad, and have so covered the snrfnce 
as to form a wooden framework, the interstices of which 
retain the materials that form the roadway. These 
tangled roots sometimes trail to such an extent that 
they have heen found upwards of 140 feet in length, 
whilst the tree itself was not 30 feet high. 
The roots of the Mangroves, which in the tropical 
zone are found fringing the shores of the sea, or the 
mouths of rivers, wherever the reflox of the tide ex- 
poses a hroad belt of alluvial soil, are admirably adapted 
for securing a footing on the unstable brink of the 
ocean. 
The growth of these salt-water-loving trees is equally 
pecnliar and pictaresqne. The seeds germinate on the 
branches, and, increasing to a considerable length, finally 
fall down into the mnd, where they stick, with their sharp 
point buried J and soon take root. 
As the young mangrove grows upwards, pendulous 
roots issue from the ti-unk and low branches, and ulti' 
RMAK£-TREJt. 
