228 OUTLINE OF PLANT GEOGRAPHY 



Dipterocarps are less in evidence. On the other hand the species 

 of figs (Ficus) are developed to an extraordinary degree in Java, 

 over a hundred species having been described, of which a majority 

 arc in western Java. 



Belonging to the same family as the figs, is the famous Upas 

 (Antiaria toxicaria), a very large tree, whose poisonous properties 

 have been greatly exaggerated. 



The myrtle family is also abundantly represented, especially 

 the genus Eugenia, while other characteristic trees belong to the 

 custard-apples (Anonaceae), and the Leguminosae have many 

 representatives, e. g., Albizzia, Pterocarpus, Tamarindus, Cassia, 

 etc. The canary-nut (Canarium sp.) belonging to the tropical 

 family Burseraceae, is a large and characteristic tree. A magnif- 

 icent avenue of these is one of the features of the Buitenzorg 

 garden. The silk-cotton (Bombax), durian {Durio spp.) and 

 several species of Artocarpus, are characteristic of the Javanese 

 forest. In the lowland forest is a wealth of palms, including many 

 species of rattans, as well as some fine tall species, e. g., Oncosperma, 

 Areca, Caryota, etc. 



Lianas and epiphytes are extremely abundant as elsewhere in 

 the lowland Malayan jungles, and much like those in Sumatra and 

 Borneo. Tall bamboos (Dendrocalamus, Gigantochloa), screw- 

 pines, and fine tree-ferns, combine with the gingers, bananas, and 

 giant arums, to make a magnificent undergrowth, wherever the 

 shade is not too dense. 



Western Java is one of the richest regions in the world for liver- 

 worts and ferns. The banks and shady ravines are full of rare and 

 beautiful species, in immense variety. Tree-ferns are especially 

 abundant and beautiful, some specimens of a common species, 

 Alsophila glauca, being said to reach a height of 20 metres. These 

 are found at a lower elevation in western Java than is usual, but 

 reach their maximum development at somewhat higher elevations 

 in the cooler mountain rain-forest. 



The lowland forest extends to about 2,000 feet elevation, above 

 which up to about 4,500 feet, is a rain-forest, tropical in its main 

 constituents, but with a considerable mixture of species allied to 

 those of more temperate climates. 



A forest of this character may be seen in great perfection on 

 the great volcanic mass, the Gedeh, not far from Buitenzorg. 



