THE MONTANE FLORA OF FIJI. 139 
patch of older date, Trichospermum Richii and Geissois ternata, both trees 
of a lower altitude, were flourishing ; here, too, Polyscias Joskei was 
found with /sachne vitiensis growing thickly in between, all palpably dry 
locality types, looking very out of place, possessing wind-borne seeds, which 
had found a temporary resting-place, to be erowded out later as shade con- 
ditions re-established themselves. Even the smallest clearing in the forest, 
or up the ridges, would result in a luxuriant growth of the alien weeds 
Blumea densiflora, Erechtites valerianæfolia, Adenostemma viscosum, and 
Melochia Grayana, species limited strictly to the illuminated area. Their 
seeds must be borne here from lower altitudes by the wind, there being no 
animals to aid in distribution ; even the birds are limited to the tree-tops, 
and rarely seen in the forest-depths. 
Of recent introduction, but now fairly established in Viti Levu, /resine 
Herbstii, in luxuriant possession of large areas in the forest where clearings 
were made and kept open for the telephone-poles, was perhaps the least 
expected. Erechtites valerianefolia, in profusion wherever the moister forest- 
land is opened up, has not previously been recorded. Salvia coccinea is 
gaining ground in the drier open regions, and Cestrum nocturnum is well 
established round the N.W. Coast. The weed Alternanthera nodiflora, is 
also new; and Paspalum filiforme and Panicum colonum are extensively 
sown, in the hopes of their proving a reliable food for cattle. Clitoria 
Ternatea has probably been brought over by the many Indian coolies 
employed on the sugar-plantations. 
This list is of course only applicable for about Nadarivatu, where the 
altitude and dense forest act as restraining influences. But in other parts of 
Fiji the name of the alien weeds is legion, and they are taking possession of 
areas of country in which injudicious clearing has left virgin soil lying idle. 
Melastoma denticulata in the Naisouri district has invaded the country to 
such an extent that it has been honoured with the name of “ Kester's curse," 
because, though really an indigenous plant, it was supposed to have been 
introduced by that unfortunate individual. А Psidium species is almost as 
troublesome. 
If no official limit is placed on individual idiosyncrasies in the shape of 
forest destruction, Fiji bids fair to rival New Zealand in heterogeneous flora 
and sterile wastes, or Norfolk Island *, where the weed upgrowth almost 
inhibits cultivation, the original forest-growth having all been destroyed. 
My best thanks are due to His Excelleney Sir Everard im Thurn, K.C.M.G., 
to Dr. Corney, Chief Medical Officer at Suva, and also to Mr. Adolf Joske, for 
his unfailing kindness during my stay at Nadarivatu. I am further indebted 
to Dr. Stapf and Dr. Rendle, Mr. Е. G. Baker, and Mr. Spencer Moore for 
* J. H. Maiden, in Proc. Linn. Soc. №. S. Wales, xxviii. (1904) 768. 
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