307 



of the islanders of the Pacific Ocean, is considered as of little 

 value, and not to be depended upon. This Palm Tree, on 

 the contrary, is much cultivated, and, with the Bamboo and 

 Botang, constitutes one of the most useful plants of this part 

 of the world. 



THE MARIANNE ISLANDS.— GUAJA. 



This island is well wooded, its Flora seems rich, and the 

 vegetation luxuriant. Forests clothe its steep descents to the 

 sea shore, and in several sheltered spots the Mangle Trees 

 {Rhizophora) actually dip their pendent boughs in the flood. 

 Nothing can exceed the delicious perfume which was wafted 

 to us across the waters, while we were sailing about in 

 search of an anchorage. The Orange Trees grow wild, as 

 do many other kinds of fruit trees, memorials of a once 

 flourishing cultivation. Several species of plants formerly 

 introduced here, now vie in luxuriance with the indigenous 

 inhabitants of the soil; such as the pvlckly Limoni a trijbliata, 

 and the Indigo Shrub [Indigofera tinctoria\ the use of which 

 even is now unknown. The Breadfruit, Cocoa, and Pisang 

 {Banana), are most abundant; the Mango {Mangiferaindica) 

 grows well where it was planted, but does not become 

 naturalized. Of the various species of plants which prevail 

 on the continent of Asia and the islands of the Pacific Ocean, 

 we only found the Barringtonia speciosa and Casuai'ina 

 equisetifolia. We wholly missed the forms of plants so 

 characteristic to New Holland, the Proteas, EpacridecB, 

 Myrtles, and simple-leaved Acacias. On the other hand, we 

 found most of those that grow at Radack, many of which 

 again were wanting atLu^on; such as the Tacca pinnatijida, 

 which, though a native of Cochin China and cultivated, does 

 not appear at Manilla. Two species of P«MC?a«ws and many 

 kinds of Fig are natives of Guaja. 



RADACK, RALICK, REPITH-URUR, BOGHA. 



The Flora of these islands is very scanty. On the range 

 of Radack we found but fifty-nine species, including those 

 that are cultivated. Twenty-three of them, five being in 



