REPOKT ON THE BOTANY OF THE ATLANTIC ISLANDS. 67 



the northern side of the Central Ridge, where it is easily recognised by its deep grey 

 foliage, in contrast with the pale green which characterises the other indigenous plants. 

 Altitude, 2500 to 2600 feet."— Melliss. 



LEGUMINOS.E. 

 Psoralea pinnata, Linn. 



Psoralea pinnata, Linn., Sp. PL, ed. 1, p. 762; Roxb. in Beatson's St Helena Tracts, p. 319; Harv. 



and Sond., Fl. Cap., ii. p. 144 (varietates //hires). 

 Psoralea arborea, Sims, Bot. Mag., t. 2090; Melliss, St Hel., p. 261. 



St Helena. — Indigenous? In the more humid hills — Burchell, 137; common at 

 elevations of 1800 to 2000 feet — Melliss. 



" Christmas or Gobble Gheer." 



Very widely spread, and common in South Africa. Burchell and Roxburgh seem to 

 have regarded this small tree as being indigenous to St Helena, and Melliss says — 

 " Doubtless this plant existed in the island on its discovery ; " yet he gives no reasons 

 justifying such an assertion. It is far more likely that it was introduced from the Cape 

 early in the history of the island, and producing seed freely, soon established itself. Con- 

 sidering how common it is in South Africa, it is probable that it is disrelished by animals, 

 and if so this would account for its becoming common in St Helena. The European furze has 

 spread over the island, and is one of the most abundant plants, yet nobody would question 

 its being an alien. Forster (Comment. Goett., ix. p. 54) records the common South African 

 Psoralea aphylla, Linn., from St Helena, with the remark that it was probably introduced. 



FICOIDE^E. 



Mesembryanthemum cryptanthum, Hook. f. 



Mesembryanthemmn cryptanthum, Hook. f. in Hook. Ie. PL, si. t. 1034 ; Melliss, St Hel., p. 241, t. 26. 



St Helena. — Eudemic. Prosperous Bay Plain — Burchell, 115. 



" It grows in the hottest parts in the most barren and arid rocky soil, near the sea, in 

 the neighbourhood of Sandy Bay beach and Turk's Cap Bay ; and it is to be met with 

 generally on the southern and eastern outskirts of the island." — Melliss. 



Pharnaceum acidum, Hook. f. 



Pharnaceum acidum, Hook. f. in Hook. Ic. PL, xi. t. 1035; Melliss, St Hel., p. 242, t. 27. 



St Helena. — Endemic. Sandy Bay — Burchell, 113; Melliss; without locality — 

 Haughton. 



" Longwood Samphire," Burchell. 



Melliss says — " The only plant I know of now in the island grows on the pathway from 

 Sandy Bay Lines to Horse's Head." 



