Cheeseman. — On the Food-plants of the Polynesians. 309 



collected from the immense groves which they often form in 

 the mountain valleys. 



Next to the banana comes the bread-fruit, which has a 

 very similar history. In Tahiti Solander obtained evidence 

 proving that twenty-one distinct kinds were in cultivation 

 differing greatly from one another in the cutting of the leaves 

 and shape and size of the fruit. Yet Tahitian legends ex- 

 pressly allude to its introduction from abroad. So also in 

 Earotonga, where it is said to have been introduced partly 

 from Tahiti and partly from Samoa. In Fiji Seemann saw thir- 

 teen varieties in cultivation, but was unable to satisfy himself 

 that it was indigenous. In all probability it has been brought 

 from the Malay Archipelago in a similar way to the banana. 



Taking the cocoanut palm next, we have a species which is 

 now plentiful on all tropical shores, and whose native country 

 is quite uncertain. In Polynesia, however, it has so much the 

 appearance of a true native that it appears best to so consider 

 it. Judging from the numerous legends relating to it, its 

 cultivation must be nearly as old as the Polynesian race 

 itself. 



I have mentioned the taro among the New Zealand culti- 

 vated plants, but one or two allied species are also largely 

 grown in Polynesia, especially the gigantic kape (Alocasia 

 macrorhiza) . How far either it or the true taro is indigenous 

 in the Pacific islands it is almost impossible to say, from the 

 readiness with which they establish themselves in swampy 

 places or on the banks of streams, in a very short time pre- 

 senting all the appearance of true natives. Both are often 

 cultivated in artificial ponds or swamps, frequently of large 

 size, and fed by runlets of water conducted from the nearest 

 stream. The construction of these ponds must have involved 

 a very large amount of labour, considering the imperfect tools 

 employed. 



Five or six species of yams are grown in Polynesia, in 

 some of the islands to a very large extent. In Fiji their culti- 

 vation was of so much importance that the months received 

 special names from the class of work that had to be done at 

 those particular times in the yam plantations. Some of the 

 species are doubtless indigenous, but others are almost cer- 

 tainly introduced, probably from tropical Asia or Malaya. 



Passing several cultivated plants of minor importance, we 

 will now take into consideration the one which Mr. Walsh has 

 brought under your notice — the Cordyline terminalis, or the 

 Ti pore of the Maoris. This is undoubtedly a true native of 

 Polynesia, stretching from the Kermadec Islands in the south 

 to the Sandwich Islands in the north, and in an east-and- 

 west direction ranging from Tahiti to Fiji. It also extends 

 to North Australia, and through the Solomon Islands, New 



