BOTANY. 
249 
amongst other foliage. It grows well in Jamestown, where the 
white ants are very fond it; they make their way up through the 
roots into the stems, leaving the bark untouched. The tree continues 
to grow, and the first sign of their presence is the snapping off of 
the trunk, when the whole of the wood inside has been eaten away. 
Many of these trees, while alive, when tapped with the finger on the 
outside, sound like a drum, being quite hollow inside. The timber 
is not much used, but the leaves are much thought of by the 
Islanders, who, steeping them in hot water, use them as an outward 
application for sprains, bruises, &c. Bot. Mag. 1066. Hab. Syria 
and E. Indies. 
\ M. composita, Willd. Mentioned 
115. M. superba, Roxb. by Eoxblirgll M growing in the 
116. M. robusta, Roxb. j Island. 
24. Cedrerace.e ( Mahogany Family). 
Cedrela, Linn. 
117. C. Toona, Roxb.— Two large specimens of this fine Indian 
timber tree grow at Mr. Elliot’s, Woodlands. Alt. 3'6. They 
seed freely. — Hab. E. Indies. 
Swietenia, Linn. 
118. S. Mahagoni, Linn. — The Mahogany tree is said by 
Roxburgh to grow in the Island ; but I have not seen either it or 
8. febrifuga, the East Indian Fever-bark tree, which he also includes 
in his list of plants. — Hab. W . Indies. 
25. Linage.® [Flax Family). 
Linum, Linn. 
119. L. usitatissimum, Linn. — Flax is occasionally seen about 
fields on the high land; probably introduced with barley or oat 
seed. — A cultivated form whose native country is unknown. 
26. Geraniace® ( CranesbiU Family). 
Erodium, L’Herit. 
120. E. romanum, W.— Small pink-flowered Geranium ; grows 
