142 VEGETATION OF LORD HOWE ISLAND 



from branches and stems. I could find nothing constant in this 

 matter. The most extreme case was said to be a tree near 

 Soldiers' or Deep Creek (not far from Mr. Bowie Wilson's Camp), 

 and was a tree pointed out to Mr. DufF, but I challenged my 

 guide over and over again to show any of its characters of fruits, 

 leaves and aerial roots constant in any part of the island. 



Here and there, all over the island, up as high as I ascended 

 (1,200 feet) I found trees with smaller cones; they were never 

 gregarious or confined to one locality. I did my best to find out 

 differences between P. Forsteri and P. Moorei, and have not I 



succeeded; I brought ample material to Sydney, and examination \ 



of this has been attended by negative results. 



Pandanus is universally known as Forky-tree on the island. It 

 is not put to any use, not even the leaves. The children break 

 open the drupes and extract the seeds, which they call "almonds," 

 and eat them. 



CYPERACEJE. 



Cypeeus h^matodes, Etidl. — This coarse plant forms large 

 tussocks in low-lying parts of the island. It is called " Cutting 

 Grass." Its presence is not objected to as the islanders say it 

 chokes out couch-grass and can itself be easily eradicated prior 

 to cultivation being undertaken. 



Gahnia xanthocarpa, Hook. /—Known as " Sword Grass." 

 Carex gracilis, ^.i^;-.— This sedge goes by the name of 

 " Native Grass." Of course it is not a grass, but some of the 

 islanders state that " all the grasses are introduced, except this 

 one." It is very abundant, particularly in brush land. 



GRAMINEiE. 



Paspalum distichum, Linn. — This species (which is an addition 

 to Hemsley's list) makes rampant growth at Ned's Beach, the 

 Old Settlement, and other parts of the island. It is known as 

 ■" Bog Grass," although some of the situations in which it was found 

 are well drained. This grass is peculiar in that in many cases the 

 inflorescence is in more than two spikes. In the normal species 



