THE PALAEOTROPICS 



2:37 



most valuable of the timber-trees, as well as among the largest. 

 Figs of several species are abundant, and of other common trees, 

 the following may be mentioned: several oaks (Quercus Luzonen- 

 sis and others), are common, especially at the higher elevations 

 and various species of Celtis, Trema, Artocarpus, Myristica (nut- 

 meg), Cinnamomum, Pithecolobium, Pterocarpus, and many 

 others. 



At about 1,000 feet the vegetation is particularly luxuriant, and 

 many ferns and palms are conspicuous. Among the latter are 



Fig. 65. — Lowland rain-forest, Luzon, P. I. Photo., Dr. E. B. Copeland. 



numerous rattans, as well as some very beautiful species of Onco- 

 sperma and Areca, with slender trunks and graceful feathery 

 foliage. The sugar-palm (Arenga saccharifera) , with its immense 

 leaves, also occurs in this forest. A fine fan-palm (Livistona sp.) 

 is also common. The usual profusion of lianas and epiphytes, 

 characteristic of the rain-forest, is present. Two especially showy 

 lianas, both Leguminosae, were noted, species of Bauhinia and 

 Strongylodon, the latter with flowers of a peculiar blue-green 



color. 



Ferns are very abundant, and there are many liverworts and 

 mosses on the trunks of the trees and on banks and fallen 1« >u;s. 



Of the herbaceous plants the most conspicuous was a huge 



