302 MR. E. A. BOLFE OK THE 



island are confined to this province, doubtless owing to their 

 former isolation. It is also interesting to notice that the volcanic 

 activity gradually increases southward to the extreme point, 

 showing which way the subterranean forces are moving. North 

 of this second depression the mountains rise again, and may be 

 traced in an irregular line for quite half the remaining distance 

 to the northern point of the island, when they fork, and are con- 

 tinued in two distinct branches, the volcano of Cagua, at the 

 extreme northern point on the eastern branch, reaching over 3500 

 feet above sea-level. The Pacific side of the island is much 

 moister than the opposite or western side, and the different zones 

 of vegetation on the mountains descend much lower. In the 

 damp dense forests of this Pacific coast a considerable number of 

 Palrns occur; but the rainfall is so heavy, and the natives so hos- 

 tile in many parts, that comparatively little has been collected. 

 On the contrary, the western side has been considerably explored ; 

 the forests are dense, but drier than those of the Pacific coast. 

 The genus Firms is confined to this western side, the endemic 

 P. insularis, Eudl., occurring in the province of Nueva Ecija, and 

 not found further south than 15° north latitude. Pinus Merkusii, 

 Jungh., is found further south, in the province of Zambaies, in a 

 somewhat restricted area, but occurs again in the island of 

 Sumatra. The greater part of the northern element also is 

 limited to this western district, some of the species only occurring 

 in the north of the island. The general character of the vegeta- 

 tion is similar to that of the other Malay islands ; large dense 

 forests cover the lower elevations. Anonacea?, Guttiferae, Ster- 

 culiaceae, Tiliacea?, Rutacese, Burseracea?, Meliaeese, Sapindaceae, 

 Leguminosa?, Myrtaceae, Rubiaceae, Verbenacese, Euphorbiacea?, 

 Urticaceae, and Palms are all abundant ; while a considerable 

 number of other Orders are alto well represented. Diptero- 

 carpeae and Sapotaceae are chiefly gigantic trees occurring deep 

 in the forests. Climbing-plants are abundant — Menispermaceae, 

 Phytocrenea?, Ampelidese, Cucurbitaceae, and the genus Calamus 

 of the Palms being the principal ones. The epiphytal Orchids 

 are also very numerous ; and in the Mangrove-swamps (occupy- 

 ing a considerable area) Loranthacese are abundant. Ascend- 

 ing a short distance up the mountains, Ternstroemiaee®, 

 Melastomaceae, Myrsineae, and Cupuliferae are well represented, 

 together with a number of smaller Orders. Towards the summit 



