THE FLORA OF RAROTONGA. 278 
lanceolate leaves 4-5 in. long, and small yellowish flowers collected in terminal cymes. 
This species is so near to the Fijian and Tongan P. arborescens, Rich., and P. rhytido- 
carpum, A. Gray, that they may eventually have to be united. 
PORTULACACE.E. 
*PORTULACA OLERACEA, Linn.—Plentiful throughout the lower portions of the island, 
particularly in sandy places and in many of the cultivations of the natives. 
All warm countries. 
PORTULACA LUTEA, Soland.— Coral rocks at the entrance to Ngatangiia Harbour, 
plentiful. Very different in appearance to P. oleracea, and certainly a distinct species. 
Much branched ; branches erect or ascending, 1-14 ft. high. Stem often as thick as 
the little finger, and with the branches dark red. Flowers large, yellow, nearly 4 in. 
diam., very fugacious. Solander’s description, quoted in Seemann’s ‘ Flora Vitiensis,' 
p. 9, agrees well with my specimens. 
Society Islands. 
GUTTIFER.E. 
CALOPHYLLUM INOPHYLLUM, Linn.—Native name Tamanu. Sparsely scattered all 
round the island, but nowhere abundant. In the olden times it was largely planted by 
the natives about their maraes, or religious meeting-places, and their idols were carved 
from its wood. Great numbers of the trees were consequently eut down by order of the 
first missionaries, hence its present scarcity. The wood was highly valued on account 
of its durability and canoes were frequently made from it. 
India, Malay Archipelago, Australia, and the Pacific Islands generally. 
MALVACE. 
*MALVASTRUM TRICUSPIDATUM, A. Gray.—A weed in the cultivation of the natives, of 
much too frequent occurrence. 
Probably of American origin, but now widely distributed in the tropics. 
*SIDA RHOMBIFOLIA, Linn.—Common everywhere in the cultivation of the natives, a 
most troublesome weed, often covering the ground to the exclusion of everything else. 
The ** Broom " of the European settlers. 
All warm climates. 
*SrpA ACUTA, Burm. f. (S. carpinifolia, Linn.)—With the preceding, and almost 
equally abundant. 
Generally distributed through the tropies. 
*URENA LOBATA, Linn.—Roadsides and native cultivations ; a troublesome weed. 
All warm climates. 
