BY J. H. MAIDEN. 545 



have good food supplies, which render them less dependent on 

 the native vegetation. Talie nuts are, however, eaten in Samoa, 

 where the people recognise the Small Talie {Terminalia Cata/ppa) 

 which grows inland, and the Large Talie {T. littoralis) which is 

 found near the coast. In Funafuti one Talie appears only to be 

 recognised; it is desirable to ascertain the species with certainty, 

 and to ascertain if there is a second one. 



In Samoa Talie timber is preferred by natives for making 

 their " Logos " or bells, which are made by hollowing out a 

 portion of the trunk, leaving thin sides and a few inches of wood 

 at each end. These are then beaten with a stick, and form the 

 summons to worship, e.g., a church bell. 



MYRTACE^. 



Barringtonia Butonica, Forst. (Syn. B. speciosa, Linn.). 



"Futu," the name also employed in Samoa; "XJtu" of Raro- 

 tonga (Gill). 



The name B. speciosa has obtained such a hold, particularly in 

 this part of the globe, that it seems a pity to revive the older 

 name of B. Butonica now, but I follow Kew in this matter. 



Thellowers of this well-known plant are very fragrant. The 

 grated seed is used as a fish-poison, but its use does not render 

 the fish unwholesome. 



The expressed juice of the scraped bark is a Samoan remedy 

 of internal application, for what disease being a secret of the 

 native profession. 



" There is one small grove of these trees on the main Funafuti 

 islet; it could not be ascertained that the plant was used for any 

 purpose " (Mrs. David). 



. LYTHEARIACEiE. 



Pemphis acidula, Forst. — " Gie " or "Ngie." 



A gnarled shrub, the wood used for " palu " (fish) hooks, 

 pestles (tuki-tuki), and all small articles requiring a tough, hard 

 wood. The best firewood on the island. 



