24 



MB. I. B. BALFOUB ON THE FLOBA OF BODBIGUEZ. 



the investigation with a view to the elucidation of that which, to 

 us at least, seems to require explanation *. 





Extract from a Letter from I. B. Balfoub, Esq., Botanist to the 

 Expedition to Eodriguez to observe the Transit of Venus ; 

 addressed to, and communicated by, Dr. Hookee, F.L.S. 



[Read May 7. 1874.] 



I have done a good deal of work since I came here, and have ex- 

 plored the major part of the island. It is only 10* miles long by 

 4 miles broad, much smaller than previously supposed ; but the 

 huge boulders and stones which cover the ground over the whole 

 island render walking both difficult and dangerous. 



The flora is by no means extensive ; and it is curious to note 

 how very restricted in area are the habitats of many of the plants. 

 In several cases the plant from which I have gathered my speci- 

 men was the only individual of the species which I have seen in 

 the island. 



I do not know enough about the Mauritian flora to make any 

 comparison ; but several of the ferns which I have seen seem to 



■ _ » J ' 1 *^fe AT* A A 



Mauritian 

 ( Pandani) 



callin 



The inhabit- 



poteau, F chevron, and F parasol ; others make five, adding V. 

 mdle ; whilst others, again, substitute a F caU for the V. sac and 

 F parasol, For my part, I think at present the F poteau and 

 F chevron are the only two species, the former growing on the 

 shore and also on the hills, the latter only on the hills. The 

 F. sac is just the young plant of the F poteau with large leaves ; 

 the F mdle is merely the male tree of either of the species ; and 

 the F. parasol seems to be nothing but the F. poteau growing 

 where it has free scope to develop its branches regularly and 

 form a dome, the F. cale being a dwarfed stunted form of F po- 

 teau when exposed to wind &c. The fruits of all those trees which 

 I would group under F poteau vary very greatly, both in size, 

 colour, and form ; but the habits of the trees are quite the same. 

 These are at present my ideas regarding them ; but I intend de- 

 voting a great deal more time to them. 



Owing to pressure of occupation at the time, I was not able to refer to the 

 opintons of others before writing the foregoing notes, but have since done so and 

 would call attention to the observations of Berkeley, Way, Buckman, Lees,' and 

 others, — J. H. G. 



