20 
CALYCIFL0RA2. 
the centre branch sub-divided into three branchlets, 
which are simple, the central one being the longest. 
Peduncle and its divisions compressed, minutely puberu- 
lous. Flowers sessile, white, with a faint but not unplea- 
sant odour ; each with an ovate concave deciduous brac- 
tea. Calyx externally puberuious, with a pair of minute 
lanceolate bracteoles at its base. Petals very small, al- 
ternating with the calycine segments, rounded, concave, 
minutely puberuious, caducous. Stamens 10. Ovary 
compressed, obovate, incano — puberuious, matked with 
10 striae : seed 1, germinating within the nut. 
This is a common tree in most of the sandy bays, 
and along the margin of lagoons throughout the Island. 
The Spaniards call it mangle bobo or foolish mangrove. 
It is known in this country as the white mangrove. The 
bark possesses tanning properties, though not in a very 
powerful degree. Mr. Bell, who has conducted a Tannery 
in the vicinity of Kingston for many years, informs me 
that he finds it useful when combined with the pods of the 
Divi divi, in order to qual.fy the too active tanning prin- 
ciple of the latter. 
Tribe II. Combreteec. 
V. COMBRETUM. 
Calyx infundibuJiform, 4-lobed, deciduous. Pe- 
tals 4. Stamens 8, biserial ; the 4 which arc op- 
posite to the petals being higher in their insertion, 
and much exserted. Ovary 2-5-ovuled. Style 
exserted, acute. Fruit 4-winged, 1 -celled, 1- 
seeded, indehiscent. Seed angled, pendulous : 
cotyledons with a middle fold, reflexed, cruciato- 
divaricated. 
Subscnndent shrubs or trees. — The name Combretum 
was given to a climbing plant by Pliny. 
1. Combretum laxum. Red Withe . 
Unarmed scandent, leaves opposite oval acu- 
minate glabrous, spikes opposite ebracteated, the 
terminal one peduncled, calyx internally villous, 
fruit 4-winged. — DC. 
