xxvn CANANGA 393 



fruit is a capsule with small, flat seeds, margined by long hairs, that 

 might possibly attach themselves to a bird's feathers. 



Micromelum (Rutaceae) 



This small genus of tropical Asia, Malaya, tropical Australia 

 and the islands of the Western Pacific, has one species, Micromelum 

 pubescens, possessing the range of the genus with other species 

 that are restricted to different localities. We thus have apparently 

 another illustration of the part played by a wide-ranging poly- 

 morphous plant in providing new species. The red berries would 

 easily attract frugivorous birds ; but the seed-tests seem too delicate 

 to allow the seeds to remain more than a few hours in a bird's 

 stomach without injury. 



Cananga odorata (Anonaceae) 



This tree, which is cultivated in many places in tropical Asia 

 and Malaya, but is certainly indigenous, according to the authors of 

 the Flora Indica, in Ava and Tenasserim, has apparently extended 

 into the Pacific by cultivation. But though much valued by the 

 natives on account of its fragrant flowers, and in consequence often 

 planted by them near their villages, it grows in some localities in 

 Fiji and Samoa as an indigenous plant. The berries are especially 

 suited for dispersal by frugivorous birds, their flat seeds, 8 mm. in 

 length, possessing hard crustaceous tests that would enable them to 

 pass unharmed in a bird's droppings. According to Reinecke the 

 fruits are sought after by pigeons, and particularly by Didunculus 

 strigirostris, the Samoan Tooth-Billed Pigeon. The tree has not 

 travelled eastward of Tonga and Samoa, with the exception of its 

 occurrence in Rarotonga ; and according to Mr. Cheeseman the 

 Rarotongans received it from Samoa several years ago. 



Geissois (Saxifragaceae) 



This genus of seven or eight known species is found in 

 Australia, New Caledonia, the New Hebrides, and Fiji. Since 

 New Caledonia possesses four species, it may be considered the 

 home of the genus. To the Fijian endemic species, G. ternata, I 

 paid special attention. The capsules dehisce on the tree and allow 

 the small seeds to escape. These seeds, which are very light, 150 

 to 200 going to a grain, are 3 to 4 mm. long and are winged at one 

 end. They could no doubt be carried some distance by strong 



