Prof. Balfour o» the Flora of the Cumhrae Islands. 67 



abundantly supplied with fibrous materials of every description for 

 textile manufactures. 



Among the Endogenous plants of India yielding fibre, are noticed 

 species of Palms, Agnve^ Yuccas Sanseviera, Fourcroyay Ananassa, 

 Musa, Pandanusy Rushes, Grasses, and Sedges ; among Exogenous 

 plants are species of Calotropis, Tylophora, Cryptostegia, Damia, 

 CannabiSy Corchorus, Crotalariay HibiscuSy AbelmoschuSy and AbU" 

 tilon ; besides the barks of species of FicuSy Bauhiniay Grewitty Dal- 

 bergiay Isoray ButeUy and Vernonia. Among the Palms are Cocas 

 nuciferay the Cocoa-nut Palm ; Borassus flabelliformisy the Palmyra 

 Palm of Europeans ; Elate or Fhoenix sylvestris, the wild Date ; 

 Caryota urenSy or the Indian Sago Palm ; Calamus Rot angy or ground 

 Rattan. Among Liliaceous plants may be recorded: Agave americanay 

 American Aloe, and varieties; Fourcroya giganteay Seemay Kathalay ; 

 Sanseviera zeylanicay Marool ; Yucca gloriosa, Adam's Needle ; JT. 

 alo'efolia-y Ananassa sativa. Pine Apple. Of Pandanaceae and 

 Musaceae : Pandanus odoratissimusy or Screw Pine ; Musa jparadi- 

 siacay or Plantain, and Musa sapientwny or Banana. 



Substitutes for flax and hemp are found in the following Dicotyle- 

 dons : — Calotropis giganteay or Yercum ; Cryptostegia grandiflora, 

 or Palay ; Damia extensa, or Ootrum ; Crotalaria juncea, or Sunnee 

 Hemp ; Corchorus olitoriusy or Jute ; Hibiscus cannabinuSy and 

 other species ; Abelmoschus esculentus and ficulneus ; Abutilon 

 tomentosum and polyandrum. 



4. "Notice of the Flora of the Cumhrae Islands," by Professor 

 Balfour. 



The Cumhrae Islands are situated on the Frith of Clyde, between 

 the coast of Ayrshire and the Island of Bute. In their geological 

 structure, as well as in their flora, they present many points of 

 affinity with the latter island. Red sandstone, with limestone and 

 trap, constitute the chief rocks of the Cumbraes. The rarer plants 

 are found on the rocky grounds near the shores. The species are in 

 general those which characterize the western parts of Scotland. The 

 climate is mild, and some species are met with which are usually 

 considered characteristic of more southern situations. The Great 

 Cumbrae is about three miles long and one and a half broad ; its 

 surface embraces about 2500 acres, one-half of which is arable. The 

 land rises in the centre of the island to about 400 feet. It consists 

 of a mass of red sandstone traversed by trap veins, some of which 

 form very conspicuous dykes. In some parts of the island, limestone 

 occurs. 



The Little Cumbrae lies about half a mile south of the Great 

 Cumbrae. It is about a mile in length and half a mile in breadth. 

 It is composed chiefly of trap, with here and there portions of sand- 

 stone. 



The Phanerogamous plants seen by Dr. Balfour and his party 

 amounted to about 420 ; viz. — 



Dicotyledones 314 



Monocotyledones 106 



Total .... 420 



5* 



