EY THE REV. J. E. TEXISOX- WOODS, F.G.S., F.L.S. 137 



l)eculiar properties either medicinal or otherwise are attributed 

 to this species, which is endemic and therefore little known, but 

 the order is generally astringent and the timber good. The 

 usual Hihherticd of southern regions are not seen on the coasts 

 within the tropics. 



Malvaceae. 



Bomlax malaharicum, De Cand. I have noticed this tree in 

 all the thick jungle forests on the coast side of the range from 

 Cairns to Cooktown. In the flora it is only recorded as from 

 Careening Bay on the North Coast. It is a very conspicuous tree 

 when in flower as the blossoms are of a brilliant crimson, of 

 large size, and during the time of their appearance the tree is 

 quite denuded oC foliage. This is the first recorded habitat on 

 the north-east. It is called the cotton tree from the beautiful 

 mass of long silk-like hairs surrounding the seed. No use is 

 made of this but its extremely fine silky character must give it 

 some value. The species has a considerable range in India, 

 where the fibre is used for stuffing cushions &c. It is said that 

 the want of adherence between the hairs prevents its use as a 

 cotton. 



Thespesia populnea, Corr. This wide-spread species which we 

 share with all the tropical coasts of Eastern Africa, Asia, and the 

 Pacific Islands is extremely common on all the tropical coast. 

 It should be of much use as a shade tree on sandy places, for it 

 will grow on the very poorest sand and salt is its nourishment. 

 In consequence of this peculiarit}- 1 suppose it is that the wood 

 will not decay in water and therefore is in much request in India 

 for the under portions of boats. The rich yellow gum in the 

 seed vessels is like gamboge and ought to be valuable. I wish 

 most emphatically to draw attention to this tree. Its abundance 

 on the coasts where it forms a handsome object should point out 

 to the colonists how easily it is propagated. The inhabitants of 

 Townsville for instance are fond of getting their houses as near 



