RlllZOPIIORE.E. 
23 
crown of the root gradually lengthen until they reach the 
soft muddy soil, or, if too high, drop, and, fixing themselves 
in the muddy bottom, immediately strike root at one end, 
while leaves unfold at the other. 
The Mangroves form thickets along our sea coast, 
wherever there is marsh or lagoon. They are far from 
adding any beauty to the landscape : on the contrary, they 
give a gloomy desolate appearance, and arc associated in 
our minds with ideas of malaria, and disease. The pre- 
sence of these trees indeed is a sure indication of the 
unhealthiness of a locality. Certain situations along the 
sea coast have been found to be healthy. The soil in 
such places will be found to be dry and porous, 
and, above all, no mangrove trees will be found in 
the immediate vicinity. The shade they afford is 
not dense, but the thicket they form is not easily 
penetrated, from the roots that are sent down from 
every branch. These roots are rather thicker than 
the thumb, round, smooth, simple, straight. They do not, 
as far as my observation goes, become thicker in course 
of time, so as to assume the appearance and function of 
stems. Such however would, I have no doubt be the 
case, were the original stem destroyed. When they 
reach the mud, they throw out numerous fibres, or root- 
lets, and thus furnish a more copious and additional sup- 
ply of nourishment to the tree. By this interlacing of the 
roots, they doubtless serve to detain the mould washed 
down by Hoods, and thus assist in converting useless and 
pestiferous ponds or marshy grounds, into rich and fertile 
lands. 
The bark of this tree, is known as the red Mangrove. 
It is much employed for tanning. It is stronger than oak 
bark, and is well adapted for the preparation of sole lea- 
ther. 
II. Cassipourea. 
Calyx campanulate, 5-fid. Petals 3, attenu- 
ated at the base, with the margin or apex fimbri- 
ato-lacerated. Stamens 20-J0, inserted at the 
base of the calyx, arranged in a single row. Style 
longer than the stamens : stigma obtuse. Fruit 
covered with the calyx, 3-celled, 3-valved, with 
the cells bi-ovulcd, but bv abortion one-seeded. 
