REPORT ON THE BOTANY OF THE ATLANTIC ISLANDS. 57 



The Exotic Element. 



For details of the exotic element iu the present vegetation of St Helena, we are almost 

 wholly indebted to Melliss, who enumerates about 970 species, supplemented by remarks on 

 their distribution, &c. Upwards of half of them are only cultivated, or are rare in a wild 

 state, while others are only common in certain localities. The residue of thoroughly 

 naturalised species is made up of plants from the most distant countries, the curious mixture 

 reminding one more of a botanic garden than anything else. From the following list of 

 the commoner species, it will be seen that European plants figure prominently in the 

 scenery : — 



Ranunculus sceleratus, Argemone mexicana, Fumaria capreolata, Capsella bursa- 

 pastoris, Nasturtium officinale, Senebiera didyma, Hypericum hircinum, Cerastium 

 glomeratum, Althaea officinalis, Malva sylvestris, Malva parvifiora, Melia azedarach, 

 Erythrina caffra, Medicago denticulata, Ulex europiceus, Acacia longifolia, Acacia 

 lophantha, Rubus pinnatus, Opuntia vulgaris, Ageratum conyzoides, Helichrysum bractea- 

 tum, Gnaphalium luteo-album, Senecio vulgaris, Cryptostemma calendulaceum, Hypocliceris 

 radicata, Sonchus oleraceus, Plantago major, Buddleia madagascariensis, Brugmansia 

 suaveolens, Datura tatida, Datura fastuosa, Physalis peruviana, Solatium nigrum, 

 Gompliocarpus fruticosus, Atriplex capensis, Chenopodium murale, Amarantus blitum, 

 Achyranthes aspera, Cluytia pulchella, Euphorbia peplus, Ricinus communis, Urtica 

 dioica, Quercus robur, Popuhis alba, Salix babylonica, Pinus pinaster, Richardia 

 a>thiopica, Coix lachryma, Paspalum scrobicxdatum, Stenotaphrum americanum, Panicum 

 maximum, Setaria verticillata, Gymnothrix caudata, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Poa 

 annua, Gynodon dactylon, Eragrostis poo3oides, Festuca bromoides, and Bromus vestitus : 

 total, 59 species. 



AVe have probably omitted a score or two of species that are equally as common as 

 some of those we have enumerated ; but our object is fully served by the selection given. 

 Particulars respecting a few of those that are most striking in the landscape, and constitute 

 the physiognomy of the vegetation, may be interesting. 



Ulex europceus. — The English furze is perhaps the commonest shrub in the island, 

 covering acres of the outskirts of the high laud. It is used for fuel, and many natives 

 make a living by cutting it and taking it into the town. 



Rubus pinnatus. — A native of Africa and the Mascarene Islands, introduced in 1775, l 

 and now exceedingly common everywhere above an elevation of 1500 feet. 



Hypocliojris radicata. — Europe, &c. Melliss says this plant is the dandelion of St 

 Helena, where in meadows its yellow flower-heads are as thick as daisies in English meadows. 



1 On the authority of Melliss. Roxburgh states that the inhabitants regarded it as an introduced plant, 

 though they disagreed as to its origin. 



(BOT. CHALL. EXP. PART II. 1884.) li 8 



