— 71 — 



" 94, Bois noir (Albizzia . Lelhccl-) is very common. It 

 grows in sites similar to what it does in Mauritius. Adcnantherco 

 loavonica '^ Agati ", an Indian tree, is by no means rare, and 

 is spreading rapidly from several centres. It appears to have 

 been planted for shade, near dwellings, in many localities, 

 from which it is fast extending. 



" 95. " Sang Dragon" {Fterocarpus Draco) is most common 

 in the vicinity of Port Victoria, where it is planted to shade 

 the roads and streets. It is now extending by seeds and 

 branches (from which it grows readily) over all the Islands. 



" 96. From the proximity of these Islands to Madagascar, 

 and a similarity of soil, &c., I expected to find the Raffia Palm 

 of Madagascar (Sagus Euffia), and the Travellers' tree (Urania 

 or Uavenala M-adacjascariensis), in great abundance. Two or 

 three of the latter were seen in the vicinity of houses, and 

 although the Eaffia was frequently seen growing near marshes 

 and the sides of streams, the situations were always such as 

 to cause a doubt about the plant being indigenous. 



"97. Bamboos are very common and were probably intro- 

 duced and planted for their utility. Many large clumps of 

 them were seen in the forests, far u.p the mountains, but they 

 were said to have been planted there in order to mark the sites 

 of boundary stones. 



" 98. There is no doubt that these Islands were once hea- 

 vily wooded froai the tops of the mountains to the water's 

 edge. Useful timber was once so abundant in them, and so 

 easily obtained that several vessels of from 300 to 400 tons 

 were built, besides Schooners, &c. 



" 99. Grood trees are now only found in the most inacces- 

 sible parts of the mountains. Even there the ruthless hands 

 of the destroyer have overtaken them, and fine trees are b«- 



