INSULAR FLORAS. 463 



introduced sow-thistle and Ageratum conyzoides, no Com- 

 posite inhabit the island ; and a tree of which neither the 

 flowers nor fruit is known is the only probable representa- 

 tive of the Leguminosae. There are two or three earlier 

 accounts of the vegetation (41-44) containing some interest- 

 ing particulars, most of which, however, are embodied in 

 Johnston's report. 



Some of the more distant of the outlying dependencies 

 of Mauritius have recently been more or less explored. 

 These are the Agalega and Aldabra Islands. The Agalega 

 Islands, in about ii° south latitude, are still botanically 

 unknown, but some particulars of their size and vegetation 

 are given in an official report (45), of which there is a copy 

 in the Kew library. It is, however, improbable from their 

 size and elevation that the flora contains any endemic 

 element. Agalega Islands are two in number, designated 

 North and South ; the former about five, and the latter 

 about six, miles in length, connected by a sand bank. 

 Casuariua and coco-nut trees are the prominent features in 

 the arborescent vegetation; but there are "other trees," 

 concerning which no more is said. Yet from the beginning 

 of the century the coco-nut has been extensively cultivated, 

 and there has been a considerable, and the only, industry 

 in palm oil. But these islands, though nominally English 

 possessions, are practically French, being owned and 

 worked by a French company. 



A more interesting flora is that of Aldabra Island, 

 some ten degrees west of the Agalega Islands. 



Aldabra Island has long been famous as the home of 

 the gigantic tortoise (Teshido elephantind); but until recently 

 the only account of the vegetation was to the effect that the 

 shore was fringed with mangroves, and the whole surface 

 covered with forest. Such is not now the case, whatever 

 it may have been in earlier years. The island is described 

 as about 30,000 acres in extent, is situated to the north- 

 west of Madagascar in 9 30° south latitude, and presents 

 no greater elevation than 200 feet. Dr. W. L. Abbott, an 

 American gentleman, visited the island early in 1893, and 

 made a collection of "most of the native plants," which he 



