292 MR. T. F. CHEESEMAN ON 
NYCTAGINACE#. 
*MIRABILIS JALAPA, Linn.—Now widely distributed throughout the island, and 
presenting all the appearance of a true native. The Rarotongans, however, recognize 
that it is an intruder from abroad, originating from the gardens of the first missionaries. 
Originally from Mexico, now widely spread in tropical countries, E 
PISONIA INERMIS, Forst.—Dark woods, not common. Slopes of Mount Mangatea; 
summit of Tekou, at,1500 ft. 
Pacific Islands from Fiji to the Paumotu Group and the Sandwich Islands, North 
Australia. 
BoERHAAVIA REPENS, Linn., var. DIFFUSA, Hook. f—A common weed by roadsides, 
waste places, &c. 
Most warm countries. 
AMARANTACE. 
* AMARANTUS PANICULATUS, Linn.—Not uncommon in waste places, abandoned gardens, 
&e. 
Most warm climates. 
*AMARANTUS VIRIDIS, Linn.—Plentiful in cultivated ground, waste places, &e. A 
very troublesome weed. 
Native country uncertain, now found in all warm climates. 
ACHYRANTHES ASPERA, Linn.—Lower portions of the island, not uncommon. 
Throughout Polynesia and in most warm countries. 
CYATHULA PROsTRATA, Blume.—Shaded places in the lower part of the island, not very 
common. 
Polynesia, and in tropical Asia, Africa, and America. 
PHYTOLACCACE. 
* A H 
PHYTOLACCA OCTANDRA, Linn.—Tukavaine Valley and slopes of Mangatea, scarce at 
present, and probably a recent introduction from New Zealand, in the northern part of 
which it is plentifully naturalized. 
Tropical America, now widely spread in warm countries. 
PIPERACE.E. 
PIPER METHYSTICUM, Forst.—Native name Kava. Only known in Rarotonga as à 
cultivated plant, and now far from common, the use of it being discountenanced by the 
missionaries. The natives say they brought it with them when the island was first 
colonized, a statement most probably correct. 
Throughout Polynesia. 
. 
