BOTANY. 381 



Sandwich Isles. Marquesas ; native name /of. 

 Cape St. Lucas, California. 



Croton Sp. A shrub, bearing clusters of small green 

 flowers, and red berries. It is used medicinally by the 

 Tahitians. Its berries are said to be a poison for fish. 



Society Isles ; native name avdu. 



Jatropha curcas. Physic-nut. Although this shrub 

 is a denizen of a tropical climate, it is deciduous, casting 

 its leaves about the month of June. The trunk and 

 branches are distorted, succulent, and covered with a 

 yellow epidermis. The leaves are broad and lobed. 

 The fruit is a three-celled capsule, containing oily nuts, 

 which are used by the Malays both medicinally and for 

 illumination; when taken internally they are emetic 

 and purgative. The natives of Timor employ the shrub 

 as a quick-set fence for their cultivated lands. 



J. urens. The leaves of this species are variegated, 

 and, as well as the stalks, are armed with long silvery 

 hairs which, when they are lightly touched, produce a 

 transient stinging effect. 



Cape St. Lucas, California. 



Phyllanthus distichus. Sandwich Isles ; native 

 name ahii. 



P. Sp. A dwarf mountain-herb, producing small 

 green flowers, which are succeeded by globular capsules. 

 Sandwich Isles ; native name pukido. 



p. Sp. Bears small green flowers, which are suc- 

 ceeded by purple berries containing a blue juice. 

 Island of Timor. 



