144 



s. ÖKUBO 



western side of the active volcano is a low sandy plain, chiefly of vol- 

 canic ashes. The plain is covered pretty abundantly \yith such 

 plants as Vitex trifolia^ var. unifoUoIafa, Cassijtha filiformis, Ipomœa 

 liescaprœ. Next to this plain is a plateau, where vegetation is 

 most luxuriant, consisting chiefly of Scœmla Kcenigü, and Fandanus 

 odoratissimus. Morinda cUrifolia grows also here. Some of the com- 

 pany found an extinct crater in tliis plateau. The whole island is 

 c|uite destitute of fresh water. 



The origin of the vegetation of Sulphur island like that of other 

 oceanic islands, must depend upon the action of winds, currents, and 

 birds. 



As the island is uninhabited by man, there is less probability of 

 the plants having b3en introduced through his agen'^y. Its principal 

 occupants are birds, such as Dioviedia nigripcs, ProceUaria, Stda, Cettia^ 

 and Hii2)sipetes. There is. but one species of mammalin, Pteropus psela- 

 phon, which also abounds in the Bonin Islands. 



Tiie flora of the island is very like that of the Bonin Islands. 



MalvacecT. 



1. Abutilon Indicum, Don. 



Coll. Matsubara and Sliishido. 



Tiliacea3. 



2. Triumfetta sp. ? 



Coll. Matsubara. 



The specimen looks very like T. rhomboidea, Jacq., 1)ut in the 

 absence of flower or fruit it is impossible to decide as to whether it 

 really is a species of Triumfetta or not. 



Rhamne^e. 



3. Zizyphus vulgaris, Lam. 



Coll. Matsubara. 



