358 SAMOAN PLANTS AND THEIR VERNACULAR NAMES. 
Mātiʻata (Ficus sp.). A small species of Fig-tree, from the fibres 
of whose bark fishing-net twine and small cordage are made. 
Matifanua (Ficus sp. P).  « 
Mativao (Ficus sp. ?). 
Mautofu (Urena lobata). A pretty, pinkish-white flowered shrub. 
Leaves lobed, rough, ete. The fibres of its bark were formerly much 
used, and still are occasionally, for making a fine, dress mat. 
Mautofu-tai (Triumfetta procumbens). Small, yellow-flowered, pro- 
cumbent herb. Leaves lobed, rough, fleshy. Fruit a lobed, prickly 
capsule. 
Mau'utoga (Commelyna sp.). Two species, blite (C. pacifica, Vahl) 
and white. Used medicinally by natives of Tonga. i 
Milo (Thespesia populnea). A large tree, 20—40 feet high. Leaves 
alternate, heart-shaped, somewhat coriaceous. Stipules very small, 
deciduous. Calyx double, the inner one, forming an involucre, sur- 
rounds the fruit, whose epicarp secretes, when cut, a yellow gum much 
like gamboge. The wood is much valued by the Samoans for keels 
for their canoes and for paddles. Some of the finest and largest spe- 
cimens of Niphobolus adnascens grow on these trees. 
Moegālou (the Hog’s-bed) (Andropogon sp.). The Lemon-grass. 
Much esteemed by the natives. 
Moegapepe (the Butterfly’s-bed). A small herb, growing near the 
sea, upon which the butterflies settle in considerable numbers. 
Moemoeao. A very pretty little weed (Luphorbiacea ?). 
Moli (Citrus sp. plur.). 
Moli-samoa (Citrus vulgaris). This is the name of the Samoan 
Orange ; it greatly resembles one which I have seen from Madagascar. 
Its fruit is used by the natives as a substitute for soap. 
Moli‘aina (Citrus Aurantium). Naturalized. Brought by the mis- 
sionaries from Tahiti in 1836. 
Moli-patupatu (C. medica). Introduced at the same time as the 
foregoing. “ Patupatu " means lumpy, uneven, lobed, etc. 
Moli-tele (C. Decumana). This thrives well, but has been nearly 
Ie by the natives, as they do not care for it, and see no use 
n it. 
_Moli-tai. A small tree, whose fruit is a drupe, which contains a 
nice edible kernel. I have met with it only on Savai’i. 
Moloi'ulu, The catkin of male flowers of the breadfruit-tree. 
