( 8 ) 
trees; such trees, however, can he detected everywhere in the ever-green 
forests. These deprive the landscape during the dry season of that tropical 
verdure which prevails during the rains. 
Mangrove swamps, in which BHzophora and Ceriops , with their green 
glossy foliage distinguish themselves, fringe all the little bays and straits. 
Phoenix paludosct is a characteristic feature along Middle Straits, JBarringtonia 
and Excoeearia Agallocha are easily recognised by their red decaying leaves 
during June and July, also Lagerstroemia and Pterocarpus by their rich lilac 
or yellow blossoms. Mussaenda , with its snow-white calyx segment, is fre¬ 
quently seen. 
A large Crinum , with broad leaves, appears everywhere along the sandy 
shores, and resembles in habit small plantain trees. In some spots, arbores¬ 
cent Euphorbiacece occur, and present a strange appearance. Serewpines and 
a Cycas of considerable height give a strange character to the whole vegeta¬ 
tion, reminding us of earlier geological epochs. Most varied tints of green 
can be noticed everywhere in the forest masses* and prepare us to expect a 
most luxuriant and rich flora, which, however, is fully developed only 
during the rains. 
12. The Andaman Islands present much variety of soil and formation, 
Attempt to divide the Andaman and there is accordingly a corresponding diversify 
flora into zones and districts. 0 f the vegetation. It is, therefore, necessary to 
divide the whole into a number of zones and districts, and to treat of the 
vegetation of these separately. The absolute height above the sea being 
inconsiderable, does not sufficiently influence the vegetation to necessitate 
special consideration here. Thus we have to consider the following six divi¬ 
sions only 
1.—The vegetation of the shores. 
2.— 
ditto 
of the coasts. 
3.— 
ditto 
of the central forests. 
A— 
ditto 
of the woodless spots. 
5.— 
ditto 
of the cleared lands. 
6 . — 
ditto 
of the sea. 
13. The real vegetation of the shores extends nowhere further inland 
x i.® «, than half a mile, though some exceptions may 
take place along the courses ot the numerous 
creeks, which are nearly all bordered by sandy beach of greater or less extent 
and a fringe of mangrove jungles. The vegetation of the shores is inter¬ 
sected by coast vegetation, wherever the hills slope steeply into the sea. 
No Salsolacece , or similar strictly saline plants, have been observed by 
me in this shore vegetation. 
The mangrove vegetation, which is especially developed at Mangrove. 
Bay, Flat Shallows, and along Middle Straits, extends furthest into the sea- 
The species which form these swamps are nearly exclusively at one place Bru 
guiera gymnorhiza , at another Bhizophora mucronata , and conjugata , with 
Ceriops Candolleana . These last three kinds advance furthest into the sea, 
and appear as a low dense hedge, fringing the shores with their vivid green 
leaves, and are often accompanied by the glaucous-looking Sonneratia ctcida , 
and apetala; Bruguiera establishes itself behind these, becoming higher and 
stronger as it occurs further from the sea, until it attains its highest perfec¬ 
tion where. fresh water influences its growth. There the trees attain the 
unusual height, of 70 to 80 feet, with a girth of upwards of eight feet. 
Carapa obovata is the most curious tree amongst these mangroves, and to be 
seen nearly everywhere, often quite covered with the still more curious PLydno - 
phylum formicarum> the tubers of which sometimes attain an enormous size. 
Orchids are most developed in this region: amongst them deserve notice 
for their frequency Eria Kurzii , Pholidota imbricata , JDendrobium crumenatum , 
Oxystophyllum , Cleisostoma 5 Cirrhopeialum Andersonii , and Bolbophylhm . 
