lo4 REMARKS AND OPINIONS. 



From the bulbous roots of the Tacca pinnatifida^ 

 which is very frequent here, a nourishing flour 

 is procured, but which appears to be seldom pre- 

 pared, and little used. 



Three species of Arum {Caladmniy A.) Esculen- 

 tuniy Marcrorhizofiy and Sagittijoliumy the banana, 

 and the Rhizophora gymnorhizay are singly culti- 

 vated here and there, on different groups and 

 islands. We found the banana first cultivated in 

 Kawen, and saw it bearing fruits only in Aur. 

 These species of arum do not find here the deep 

 marshy ground which they require to form their 

 roots, and are not calculated, in these islands, to 

 constitute the essential food of the people. 



Besides these plants, two of the rarer kinds, 

 which are found wild, are generally planted round 

 the habitations ; two ornamental plants, a Sida and 

 a Crinunit the sweet-scented flowers of which are 

 mixed with those of the Guettarda speciosay the 

 Volcameria inermiSy and, in Aur y Ia:or a coccinea F 

 in elegant wreaths, which are worn in the long hair, 

 which is fastened up, and in the ears. The people 

 of Radack, though poor, are distinguished for 

 their love of perfumes and elegant ornament. 



The sea throws up on the reefs of Radack the 

 trunks of northern firs and trees of the torrid zone 

 (palms, bamboo). It provides the inhabitants, not 

 only with timber for boats, but it also brings them, 

 in the wrecks of European ships, the iron which 

 they want. We did not find among them any tools 



VJ 



