JOHNSTON: FLORA OF MARGARITA ISLAND. 287 



more than two or three species in any one genus. The well marked 

 exceptions to this are the large tropical genera Panicum, Epidendrum, 

 Piper, Euphorbia, Croton, Cassia, and Solanum. The 644 species are 

 distributed among 398 genera and in 98 families, the larger proportion 

 being among the choripetalous groups. 



The families having the largest representation in the flora are as 

 follows : — 



Members of the Leguminosae are the most common pLtnts. Every- 

 where these shrubs and trees with their often numerous small leaflets 

 are to be found. These have also some of the most striking flowers, 

 as the Poinciana, the Caesalpinias, Tamarindus, the Cassias, and 

 Calliandra. 



The paucity of the Compositae, on the other hand, and the incon- 

 spicuous character of their flowers are remarkable when compared 

 with the traits of the group in other regions, either tropical or temperate. 

 In Margarita the family is chiefly represented by insignificant weeds. 



The lack of grasses and sedges, of course, is very striking to a trav- 

 eler from the temperate regions. There is no such thing as turf and 

 the few grasses that are to be found are rather scattered. 



One of the families that is largely represented in individuals if not 

 in species is the Cactaceae, a group which covers the plains for miles. 

 On ]\Iargarita there are twelve species of this family distributed in 

 six genera. Of these, five are more or less tall and candelabra- 

 shaped, with little or no secondary branching; two are melon-shaped, 

 one (Pereskia) is a low much-branched tree, and one (Rhipsalis) is a 

 small cord-like epiphyte. 



Another family, that of the Bromeliaceae, is characteristic not 

 because of its few individuals but because of their striking colors 

 and general appearance. All of the representatives of the eleven 

 genera and fifteen species possess a rosette habit and more or less 

 fleshy leaves. Their colors, too, are attractive. 



