Not to one plant alone is the victory to be ascribed.  As in the army there are various and distinct branches of service, so in this ancient and incessant strife between land and water, the vegetable invaders are classified and have their appointed place and duties.  Neither are all the constituents of a mangrove swamp mangroves.  In the first rank will be found the hardiest and most highly specialised—­RHIZOPHORA MURCRONATA, next, BRUGUIERA GYMNORRHIZA (a plant of slightly more lowly growth but prolific of arching and aerial roots); BRUGUIERA RHEEDI (red or orange mangrove.) Some of the roots of the latter spread over the surface and have vertical kinks.  The roots and the accessories act as natural groynes, causing the waves to swirl and to precipitate mud and sand.  BRUGUIERA PARVIFLORA and CERIOPS CANDOLLEANA assist in the general scheme, the former depending upon abutments for security instead of adventitious roots.  Its radicles resemble pipe-stems, or as they lie stranded on the beach, slightly curved and with the brown tapering calyx tube attached, green snakes with pointed beads.

Surprising features are possessed by the tree known as SONNERATIA Alba.  The roots send up a multitude of offshoots, resembling woodeny radishes, some being forked, growing wrong end up.  All the base of each tree is set about with a confusion of points—­a wonderful and perfect design for the arrest and retention of debris and mud.  Some of these obtrusive roots are much developed, measuring 6 feet in height and about 4 in. diameter.

No less remarkable is the help that the white mangrove (avicenna OFFICINALIS) affords in the conquest with its system of strainers.  Though different in many respects from the SONNERATIA, it too has erect, obtrusive, respiratory shoots from the roots, slender in comparison, resembling asparagus shoots or rake tines (called by some cobbler’s pegs) and which strain the sea, retaining light rubbish and assisting to hold and consolidate it all.  Each of the plants mentioned is equipped in a more or less efficient manner for the special purpose of taking part in the reclamation of land.  In some the roots descend from the branches to the mud where roots ought to grow; in others, roots ascend from the mud to the upper air, where, ordinarily, roots have no sort of business.  Each possesses varying and distinct features well designed to aid and abet the general purpose.

Other species of marine plants have their duty too.  That which is known as the river mangrove (AEGICERAS MAJUS)—­which does not confine itself to rivers—­comes to sweeten the noisome exhalation of the mud, and with its profuse white, orange-scented flowers, to invite the cheerful presence of bees and butterflies.  The looking-glass tree (HERITIERA LITTORALIS), with its large, oval, glossy, silver-backed leaves and boat-shaped fruit, stands with the river mangrove along the margin farthest from the sea, not as a rearguard, but to perform the function of making