56 THE VOYAGE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 



Plantago, Mesembryanthemum, Pelargonium, Pharnaccum, and Tripteris, these still occurring on the 

 outer and lower zone near the sea, with perhaps the addition of the Rosemary (Phylica ramosissima) 

 and Gumwood (Commidcndron robustum), which now occupy an intermediate zone between the out- 

 skirts and the central highest parts of the islands, where all the rest of the remaining indigenous 

 plants grow. This vegetation was probably so thick as to prevent the existence of grass, the 

 absence of which is remarkable in the native flora, 1 only one species being found, and that confined 

 to the high land. 



" Viewing in the present day, the dry, barren, soilless, frowning, lichen-coated, rocky outskirts 

 of the island, it would require strong faith to realise its ever having been green with vegetation 

 were it not that the record of such a fact is endorsed by the Ebony trunks and stems still existing 

 where no vestige of life can now be found ; and also by the manuscripts preserved at the castle, 

 telling of localities where Ebony was gathered for fuel, and Gumwood felled for building purposes, 

 where now no trace of either can be seen. Persons living on the island can also recollect losing 

 their way in the Gumwood forests at Longwood, where now grassy plains with scarcely a tree exist. 2 



" Of the low land plants, the Scrubwood (Commidcndron rugosum) is perhaps the most abundant 

 now remaining ; and next to that the Frankenia. Most of the others are found only as isolated 

 individuals ; but all of those which occupy the outer portion of the island are scarcer than Phylica 

 ramosissima and Commidcndron robustum, which are plants of the mid-altitude ; and these in their 

 turn are less plentiful than some of the high land species. The most abundant indigenous plant at 

 present is undoubtedly the Whitewood Cabbage-tree (Pctrobium arborcum) ; the Blackwood or Black 

 Cabbage-tree (Mclanodcndron intcgrifolium) is the next ; while next in order of quantity comes the 

 He Cabbage-tree (Scnccio Icucadcndron), followed by the She Cabbage-tree (Scnccio prcnanthijlora), 

 with the Dogwood (Hcdyotis arborca) perhaps taking the next position. Some species have dwindled 

 down to a single plant ; this is the case with Psiadia rotundifolia, which had almost been classed with 

 the extinct species, until after long and patient search I experienced the great delight of finding one 

 tree of it in the Black field at Longwood Gate. It is an old tree, probably the only one alive any- 

 where, and likely soon to share the fate of the Ebony and Stringwood (Acalypha rubra), both of which, 

 after much careful seeking for them, I am inclined to believe exist no longer. 



" I saw the Ebony once about twenty years ago. It was growing in a garden on the high land, 

 a miserable little plant only six inches in height, and yet it blossomed. 



" The beautiful little Stringwood I last saw about fourteen years ago, growing as a carefully 

 tended plant in the garden at Oakbank. It was only about eighteen inches high, though flowering 

 freely." 4 



From the foregoing it is clear that the native element in the present vegetation, 

 although still represented by at least sixty endemic species of vascular plants, without 

 counting twenty-four others that are probably or possibly indigenous, is inappreciable, 

 except in a few localities and especially high up in the Central Eidge. 



W'- recognise three native grasses, of which only one is at all common. 



5 >m the manuscript records quoted by Melliss, we learn that if the goats and exotic plants introduced 

 into St ll.lrna are largely answerable for the destruction of the native vegetation, man himself is much to 

 ■ ting it, for he certainly cut down large areas of the original forests. 

 I In " till existed in 1883, when Mj Morris brought home a few branchlets bearing flowers. 

 1 In the enumeration of the plants Melliss adds, " but is now no longer there." 



