350 BOTANY. 



The trunk of the aged tree is large in circumference, 

 and is remarkable for casting forth vertical buttresses 

 of solid timber, which have a considerable projection 

 these growths occurring with a uniformity that does 

 not permit us to regard them as monstrous, although 

 it is not easy to determine their use ; unless we may 

 suppose them to give additional support to the tree, on 

 the loose and sloping soil it usually selects. The 

 timber of the mape is soft, coarse-grained, and only fit 

 for the most temporary purposes ; which is much to be 

 regretted, on account of the number of fine trees of 

 this kind which the islands afford, and the small value 

 attached to their fruit. 



Melastoma malabathriea. Society Isles ; native 

 name motu. 



Sophora tomentosa. Society Isles. 



Guilandina Bonduc. Sandwich Isles ; native name 

 kakalioa. Timor. (The seeds of this plant are used 

 medicinally by the Sandwich Islanders ; they have an 

 emetic and aperient effect.) 



Cassia Gaudichaudii. Sandwich Group. 



C. Sp. Sandwich group ; native name hui hui. 

 Kleinhovia hospita. Timor. 



Gaultheria penduliflorum. This is a species which I 

 have never seen on these islands at a lower elevation 

 than one thousand feet above the level of the sea. It 

 is a low rigid bush ; its leaves alternate and serrated ; its 

 flowers pendulous, bell-shaped, and red ; the fruit it 

 bears is a red juicy berry, the size and form of a whortle- 



