328 BOTANY. 



self of this fluid to allay thirst ; and although my native 

 guides always disapproved of the practice, I have con- 

 sumed at one time, the liquid contents of a great num- 

 ber of flower-spikes, without experiencing any but the 

 most agreeable and wholesome effects. 



Habitat. Plains and low hills, Society Isles, native 

 name area; Marquesas, anavahu ; Sandwich Isles, ava 

 pue. 



A. Obuhi. Leaves pinnated ; rise from the soil to 

 the height of eight feet; petioles red. The flower- 

 spike, with its scape, emerges from the root at the base 

 of the leaves, and resembles that of A. zerumbet, but is 

 altogether smaller. The entire plant emits, when 

 crushed, a powerful odour, not unlike that of allspice, 

 I noticed this species only at Tahiti, where it is called 

 by the natives obuhi. It is extremely rare on the 

 coast, but forms extensive and dense thickets on the 

 elevated inland soil, especially on the mountain-land 

 of Vaihiria. 



Boerhavia hirsuta. Caroline Island, Christmas 

 Island, Marquesas. 



Lopezia hirsuta. California. 



DIANDBIA. MONOGYNIA. 



Cyrtandra Lessoniana. This is an umbrageous tree 

 of respectable stature. Its flowers are white, mono- 

 petalous, and very fragrant ; some of the blossoms are 

 supported on peduncles which emerge at once from the 

 trunk or bare boughs of the tree. The fruit is an 

 oval white berry, of waxen appearance ; it is fleshy, and 

 contains many small seeds, lodged in two distinct cells. 



Sandwich Isles, Native name dawai. 



