Combretaceae-Myrtaceae. 167 
is of wide distribution, occurring in the Philippines and extending to 
India and Malay. It was introduced into these Islands many decades 
ago and is now very commonly planted as a shade tree. In the 
autumn the leaves turn red and drop off, but are soon followed by 
the bright green, shining young foliage. It is decidedly a tree of 
the seashore and grows very rapidly in good, light, sandy soil. 
The tree yields a gum which is known in the West Indies as 
almond gum. The bark and leaves are astringent and contain tannin 
up to 9 per cent. The kernels yield a valuable oil which resembles 
almond oil in flavor and odor, and does not become rancid so readily 
as the true almond oil. The kernel may also be eaten ; it is quite 
palatable and fairly nutritious. 
The wood is reddish and rather soft, and may be used for posts. 
Terminalia Chebula Retz. 
Black Myrobalan. 
The Black Myrobalan is a large deciduous tree, abundant in 
Northern India. It is a very polymorphic species, the most variable 
part being the fruit. In India the tree ascends to an elevation of 
5000 feet in the sub-Himalayan tracts. The dried fruit forms the 
myrobalan of commerce and is considered one of the most valuable 
tanning materials in India. There is only a single tree in Honolulu, 
on the premises of 1814 Ahuula Street. 
Quite a number of other species of Terminalia have been intro- 
duced, as for example, Terminalia sumatrana, T . arborea, and others. 
A vine belonging to the genus Quisqualis, Q. indica L., is also in 
cultivation, but rather rare. 
MYRTACEAE 
Myrtle Family. 
This rather large family consists of about 3000 species and is 
represented in the Islands by quite a large number of species, mostly 
fruit trees rather than ornamental trees. As the former have already 
been treated to some extent by Mr. G. P. Wilder, they are simply 
mentioned here. Of the genus Eucalyptus about 80 species are culti- 
vated, but mostly in the uplands, and as they are not exactly of 
ornamental value, they are here omitted. The most common and now 
naturalized member of this family in the Islands is the Guava, Psid- 
ium Guayava L., a native of Mexico. Its introduction is to be ac- 
credited to Don Marin, a Spaniard who came to the Islands in 
