355 BOTANY OF TIIE YOIAGE OF H.M.S. HERALD. 
qiiisite Cypripedium purpuratum, Renanthera coccinea, Pholidofa imhricata^ and a few others. 
Higher up, and in sheltered localities, these woods become in some parts much denser, and 
assume a far more tropical aspect, as is indicated by the great abundance of Lycopodiaj and 
the appearance of Ciholiiim glaucum, NeoUopfem nidus, and Psiloticm triqiietrum ; whilst the 
trunks of the trees are clothed by a climbing, large, glossy-headed AnfJmrium, and the epi- 
phytal Niphobolus periusus. 
At or near the summits of the different peaks, where, from altitude and the free expo- 
sure to both monsoons, the temperature is much lower than on the flanks of the hills, a dif- 
ference of as much as 10*^ existing in the summer season, the Plora has a more European 
character. It comprises the pretty, but scentless, Viola tenuis, Lonicera, Clematis, Pohjgala 
Loureirii, Pohjspora axillaris, the lovely EnkyaatJius reticulatus, the "new -year flower" of 
the Chinese {Phajns grandifolius), Uhododendron squamatum and R. Indictm (the latter so 
profuse a flowcrer that it looks, at a distance, when brought into relief by the dusky sides of 
the rocks, or the dry grass, like a bush of fire), the azure Exacum helium, replacing our Gen- 
tians, Torenia Jmatica, CJdoranthus inconspicuus, Cirsium CMnense, Lilium Imgijiomm (afford- 
ing a magnificent spectacle, with its large, ccrnuous, white flowers, and the bulbs of which, 
when stewed, are much esteemed by the natives), a particularly elegant little Composita 
{Gerbera amahilis, Hance), and Ligularia Kdmpferi, confined to the damp ledges of rocks; 
whilst the deep green, luxuriant carpet of verdure is enamelled by the most beautiful Or- 
chids, such as the golden Spathoglottis Fortimi, Arundina PMlippi, the modest Spiranfhes 
austraUs, ^.pudica, Platanthera 8usannm, with its laciniated, snowy perianth, Glossaspis an- 
tenifera, etc., and tlic Heath-like Backiafrutescens, which, when rubbed between the hands, 
exhales a most pleasant aromatic odour, springs up in moist places, with a glaucous Carea^, 
Scleria, and Lepidosperma. 
The normal or characteristic species, those which are most widely distributed, most 
numerous, and which most clearly strike the observer, as constituting the peculiar and dis- 
tinguishing character of the Flora, are, amidst a thick but rather coarse turf, consisting of 
species of Cyperus, especially in damp locahties, Paspalus, Chrysopoyon, Andropoyon, Anc 
therum, Biyitaria, Lycopodium cernuum, etc., Myrtiis tomentosa, with its gay, rose-colourc 
flowers, and sober green leaves, clothed beneath with a close white down, which is met with 
everywhere, and may be considered the commonest plant in the island, and the fruit of 
wl)ich, when ripe, has a resinous, not unpleasant taste, somewhat resembling that of the 
Black Currant, and is eaten by the natives, Melastoma calycina and M, macrocarpon 
covered with magnificent purplish-pink blossoms, Ancisfrolobus liyusirinus, a pretty, compact 
shrub with dark, blood-coloured flowers, something like our St. John's- wort, and Callicarpa 
to../...,_and another with branches hidden in a velvety, fulvous down, lovely bright-.reen 
leaves, farinose beneath, and dense branches of small reddish-lilac flowers. KnEmbUca 
very common on the low grounds, is among the first to put forth its delicate green leaves on 
the approach of spnng, two Clerodendra, the neat. Myrtle-like Rospidlos vaccinioides , Stro^ 
