t l2 -± ) 



surface, when fine, black humus or mosses occur at the bottom. 

 The vegetation nowhere forms a compact mass or sod. Groups of 

 low and high shrubs, generally with higher shrubs or small trees in 

 the middle, alternate with a lower vegetation, which is also always 

 limited to separate spots or clumps, so that the white sand can 

 everywhere be seen through it, and in many places even has the 

 upper hand. Of the plants which were collected here, the following 

 are mentioned as characteristic: 



Drosera Burmanni Vahl. in the dampest parts, forming dark-red 

 areas, when seen from a distance, often placed on small columns 

 of sand; Fimbristylis spec, Rhynckospora spec, Xyris microcephala 

 Hassk. and Xyris bancana Miq.; more rarely Salomonia oblojigifoliaD.C, 

 Lindernia stemodioides Miq., Thuarea sarmentosa Pers. 



Of the shrubs the following are prominent: Baeckea frutescens L., 

 which in low-lying padangs forms more than half of the vegetation, 

 and reminds one very much of the Calluna of European heaths, 

 Jambosa buxifolia Miq., Leptospermum jlavescens Sm., Leucopogon 

 malayanus Jack., Vaccinium malaccense Wight, Cratoxylon glaucum 

 Korth., Calophyllum pulcherrimum Wall., Timonius spec, Garcinia 

 bancana Miq., Syzygium variifolium Miq., the last three arborescent. 



On the lowest lying padangs south of Manggar and near Boeding, 

 where Baeckea frutescens and Fimbristylis spec, formed the chief 

 vegetation, Ischaemum spec, Archytaea Valdii Choisy, Wormia 

 suffruticosa Griff., Melaleuca minor Sm. and a non-determinable 

 species of Eugenia were also noticed ; in addition mosses and lichens. 

 Further there were collected in these localities Rhodumyrtus tomentosa 

 Wight, Nepentlies spec, Tristamia obovata R. Br., Dischidia spec 

 Bromheadia pahstris Lindl. [Orchidea], Jsachne australis R. Br. 

 Burmannia bancana Miq., a species of Lucinaea, which is probably 

 new, and finally a new Rubiacea, about which I wish to make a 

 communication here. 



The above-described formation has in consequence of the predo- 

 minant occurrence of the Calluna-like Baeckea frutescens a super- 

 ficial resemblance to the sandy and boggy heaths of Northern Europe. 

 Already Junghuhn, in his description of the Battak countries I, p. 158, 

 refers to an Erica, which above the forest zone characterizes the 

 alpine flora in company of other woody Myrtaceae, and he doubtless 

 means Baeckea frutescens. From Southern China and the Philippines 

 to New-Guinea, where Beccari found the plant at Goldtinck Bay 

 (altitude?) and Wichmann on the G. Siëp at about 800 Meters, the 

 area of distribution of this species extends; it is wanting in Java 

 and its nearest allies (numerous Baeckea-species) inhabit Australia. 



