FLORA VITIENSIS. 291 
linearibus longe attenuatis basi obtusis v. acutis obscure denticulatis 9-plinerviis glabris ; receptaculis 
axillaribus solitariis pedunculatis globosis (Pisi maj. magnitudine) basi bracteatis ; bracteis rotundato- 
ovatis obtusis; fl. 4 perigonio 4-phyllo, phyllis 4-spathulatis dentatis, stamine 1; fl. 9 perigonii 
phyllis 4 lineari-spathulatis dentatis stylo laterali—Nomen vernac. Vitiense, ‘ Loselose ni wai,” — 
Banks of the Navua and Rewa rivers, Viti Levu (Seemann! n. 439), growing with Lindenia Vitiensis 
and Acalypha rivularis. 
“ Loselose ni wai” (i. e. water or river Loselose) is the name by which this species is known, in contra- 
distinction to the other Loselose (F, Barclayi, Seem.), which does not grow near rivers. A shrub about 6 
feet high, with a willow-like habit. Branches slender and flexible. Leaves on short petioles 3-5 inches 
long, 4-6 lines broad. Receptacle about the size of a large pea. 
Expianation or PrarE LXVII., representing Ficus bambusafolia, Seem.—Fig. 1, receptacle; 2, 
section of the same; 3, male flower; 4 and 5, female flowers :—ail magnified, 
9. F. obliqua, Forst. Prodr. n. 409, et Icon. (ined.) t. 294 (Tab. LXVIII. Fig. 1-7) ; arborea, 
glabra; trunco ramisque radicantibus; foliis alternis lanceolatis v. ellipticis utrinque acutis sspe 
obliquis coriaceis penninerviis crassiuscule marginatis; pedunculis geminis brevissimis ; receptaculis 
globosis (Pisi maj. magnitudine), basi bracteis 3 brevibus cinctis; fl. 3 perigonio 4-phyllo, 1-andro ; 
fl. $ stylo laterali.—Urostigma obliquum, Miq. in Hook. Lond. Journ. of Bot. vol. vi. p. 563. 
Nomen vernac. Vitiense, * Baka."— Island of Taviuni (Seemann ! n. 436). Also collected in Namoka 
and Tana (Forster !). 
Forster says of the bracts (calyx) that they are as long as the receptacle; but neither in his mss. drawing 
nor in his specimens are they longer than drawn in my plate. Fig. 8 of Plate LXVIII. may perhaps prove 
a distinet species; but the specimens from which that figure was taken grew close to an old tree of 
F. obliqua, and I took them to be seedlings of the same. The leaves, however, are less coriaceous than 
those of the specimens represented by Fig. 1. : 
F. obliqua is termed Baka by the Vitians, and, like the allied F. proliza of the Society Islands, bles 
regarded by the natives as a sacred tree. The Baka is not famous for its timber; but its habit is re- 
markable as that of the Banyan-tree of India, aerial roots propping up its branches and forming a fantastic 
maze which no words can describe. At first living as an epiphyte on other trees, it soon acquires such 
dimensions that it kills its supporter, and henceforward must draw its nourishment from the soil. There 
are fine specimens of the Baka on the Isthmus of Kadavu; and on an islet belonging to Mr. Hennig, the 
aerial root of the Baka formed a cabin in whieh Mr. Pritchard, myself, and all our boat's erew took shelter 
during a heavy tropical shower ; and twenty more persons might have fourid room there. The crown of this 
tree was one hundred and fifty-two feet in diameter, or four hundred and fifty-six feet in circumference. The 
horizontal branches and the large roots issuing from all parts of the stem, and more sparingly from the 
branches, rendered this tree a noble object, well caleulated to inspire pleasure or awe. The Rev. W. Moore 
lamented the destruction of one of these fine trees near Rewa, committed by a sick man in hopes that it 
might be pleasing to the Christian God, and incline him to favour his convalescence. These sacred groves 
and trees were not worshipped as gods, but, as in the Odie religions of our ancestors, looked upon as places 
where certain gods had taken up their abode. In times when the plantations of Broussonetia papyrifera 
fail to produce a sufficient quantity of raw material for making native cloth, recourse is had to the Baka. 
Expnanation oF Prare LXVIIL-Fig. 1, branch of Ficus obliqua, Forst.; 2 and 3, receptacles; 
4, section of the receptacle ; 5, male flower ; 6, female flower; 7, pistil:—all magnified. Fig. 8, branch of 
a plant, supposed to be a young seedling of F. obliqua (natural size). Bain 
10. F. Storckii, (n. sp.) Seem. (Tab. LXIX.); arborea; ramulis tenuibus; foliis alternis 
petiolatis oblique cordato-ovatis breviter acuminatis integerrimis glabris 3-5-plinerviis ; receptaculis 
aggregatis pedunculatis ex trunco ramisve globosis (Pisi maj. magnitudine) scabris; pedunculis 
ebracteatis; fl. 9 perigonio 5-phyllo, phyllis subspathulatis pilosulis, stylo laterali.—Buke Levu 
Mountain, Island of Kadavu (Seemann! n. 442!). Also collected in the Tongan Islands (Barclay !). 
A tree about 40 feet high. Branches not emitting aerial roots. Leaves on petioles 1 inch long. 
Blade 5-7 inches long, 4-6 inches broad. Peduncles in clusters, growing from the trunk and old wood, 
never from the axils of the growing branches, as in many other species. Peduncles longer than the diameter 
of receptacle. . . - 
