HISTORY OF MAURITIUS, 
39 
from the rigour of the climate, by clothing them with several coats. Their roots run 
generally on a level with the ground, and with them they cling to the rocks: they 
are low, and their tops are but thin of foliage: they are of a sturdy form; so that 
their native strength, when added to the plants to which they are attached, enables 
them to resist the hurricanes that root up the proudest trees of the forest. 
The banks of the streams, which alternately wind in silence or impetuously rush 
through the woods, are covered with trees; from whence are suspended bunches of the 
Scolopendria,* and flowers of the creeping plants. Among the rocks and in the shade, 
the mosses and capillary plants are seen to flourish. The fallen trunks of trees are 
covered with enormous fungi waved with different colours: there is, also, an infinite 
variety of ferns; and the common moss of Europe is here seen, but of a much 
larger growth. Instead of the reeds which we are accustomed to see on the sides of 
rivers,the songes grow in abundance along these streams; they are a kind of nymphea, 
and resemble the water-lily, so great an ornament to our tranquil pools. 
To these we shall add a description of several trees, shrubs, and plants, which 
grow in the north part of Madagascar, and were brought from thence to the Isle 
of France, in the latter part of the year 1768, by M. Rochon. 
The Malao-manghit, is a tree whose bark is brown, the trunk straight, and its wood 
black; the sap is naturally white and milky, but when exposed to the air becomes 
red as blood. The leaves of this tree have a sweet and aromatic smell, and its fruit 
is a kind of nutmeg. The Malegaches suppose that it possesses the same virtues 
which we attribute to the true nutmeg. 
The Rarabe. It is a wild nutmeg tree, and a much larger, as well as finer tree 
than the Malao-manghit. It produces a nutmeg that yields an aromatic oil, with 
which the Malegaches rub their bodies and anoint their hair. It is also employed 
to dissipate cold humours; and, taken inwardly, fortifies the stomach. 
The Bachi-bachi. It resembles the Rarabe; though there is some difference in: 
the fruit and leaves. This tree delights in elevated situations. The rind, the mace,, 
and the nut, are all aromatic. 
The Rharha-horac. It is the real wild nutmeg: its trunk is large and its branches 
bushy, and it flourishes in marshy situations. « 
The Founingo-mena-rubou. A large blue pigeon is very fond of the fruit of 
this tree, and sows the nut in all par-t&of the islands. 
* Celterach aut Asplenium, 
