32 
Tansley and Fritsch. 
Fig. 10. Seedling of Bruguiera gymnorhiza. The cigar-shaped hypocotyl has 
a cluster of roots, with fine fibrous branches, springing from its base. 
Above, the epicotyl with several leaves and terminal bud. One-third 
natural size. 
Where Rliizophora or Bruguiera, especially the former, get a 
good start, they apparently exclude all other vegetation, notably at 
Balapitiya, where the short river leading into the lagoon is 
occupied by Rliizophora and Bruguiera only, to the practical 
exclusion of all other members of the mangrove vegetation. This 
is partly due no doubt to their very free fruiting, combined with the 
dropping of the embryos straight into the mud and the rapid 
development of the young trees, which initiates the closely packed 
