12 FLORA OP ST. CROIX AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. 



Centrosema, Teramnus, Vigna, Kbynchosia, and otliers; grasses, as Lap- 

 pago, Aiistida, Sporobolus, Eleusine, Dactyloctenium, aud Eragrostis ; 

 or Syiiaii thereat, as Elepliantopus, Distreptus, Bidens, and Pectis. Whilst 

 all these latter forms flower during the greater part of the year, the beau- 

 tiful Convolvidaceae, such as Ipomcea fastigiata, Nil, umhellata, dissecta, 

 violacea, and others, are in blossom only during the winter months, from 

 December to February. 



In some i^laces that are moist enough, sedges and semi-aquatic plants 

 will be seen growing ; in a few rivulets which contain water all the year 

 round, and which are limited to Vieques and St. Croix, a few aquatic 

 forms occur, such as JEcJiinodorus cordifolius, Lemna minor, Typha an- 

 gustifoUa, and Nymphwa ampla. 



The pastures, which occupy a considerable extent of tbe hind, are 

 either artificial, — planted with Guinea-grass (Fanicum maximum), a 

 perennial plant, and, like most of the cultivated West India plants, in- 

 troduced from the Old World, — or natural, covered with various forms of 

 indigenous Graminese as well as low shrubs and trees, that have con- 

 tinually to be cleared away to prevent the laud becoming overrun by 

 them. The artificial pastures asa rule are fenced in, and often protected 

 against the dry season by the planting of Thibet-trees {Acacia Lebhelc), now 

 commonly naturalized everywhere; the natural ones, on the contrary, are 

 generally open and abandoned to the cattle, whilst the artificial ones are 

 cut regularly, and the stock is not allowed to enter them. 



The grasses comj^osing the natural pastures are several species of Pa- 

 nicum, Paspalum, Dactyloctenium, and Sporobolus ; some, as Tricholwna 

 insularis, being very bitter and jinfit for herbage. The roaming about 

 of the cattle everywhere effectually prevents the re-establishment of trees 

 or woods, which, for climatic reasons, would be desirable in many places; 

 for the young buds are destroyed by sheep and goats, which no doubt 

 have contributed largely to deteriorating even the still existing woods. 



Around dwelhngs are found planted and naturalized most of the lilants 

 now common to nearly all tropical countries, — some fruit-bearing, as 

 Tamarindus indica, Mangifera indica, Carica Fapaga, Persca gratissima, 

 Crescentia Gujete, Melicocca hijuga; others ornamental, as Poinciana regia, 

 Calliandra saman, Ccesalpinia pnlcJierrima, and others Actual gardens 

 are now very rare, flowers being mostly cultivated in i)ots or boxes. 

 Some few vegetables of colder climates are cultivated in shady i^laces 

 where water is abundant, such as salad, radishes, cabbage, and others. 



In waste places are found most of the tropical weeds, as Bicinus com- 



