THE .BAHAMA ISLANDS 193 



Rhamnacece and Sapindacece are fairly well represented. In the vine family 

 (Vitacece), there are a good many species of Cissus, but of the true grapes 

 there is only Vitis rotundifolia Michx. of the southern United States. It 

 seems to occur only on New Providence. The Virginia creeper, one of our 

 common plants, has been found on New Providence, Andros and Eleuthera. 

 Of the mallows, a new species of Malvaviscus from Watlings Island is given 

 in this report. Of the Cactacece, about six species have so far been reported, 

 but it is probable that a more thorough exploration of the southern islands 

 will add several to this list. It is remarkable that so far no cactus has been 

 found on the island of New Providence. 



The Myrtacece are chiefly represented by the genus Eugenia,. The guava 

 (Psidium guava Eadd.), although abundantly planted, is scarcely, if at all, 

 naturalized in the Bahamas. This is rather peculiar, as it has made itself 

 quite at home in a number of the West Indies, where, as in Jamaica, it forms 

 extensive thickets. The cultivated Pimenta vulgaris W. A., indigenous to 

 Jamaica, seems also not to have established itself. The failure of these two 

 plants to gain a footing without cultivation emphasizes the restricted condi- 

 tions of soil and climate furnished by the islands of the group. The Umbel- 

 liferce, so abundant in temperate regions, can boast but two indigenous species 

 here. In addition to these, one or two weeds have been introduced from 

 other countries. Of the great heath family, there is but a single Bahama 

 species, Clethra tinifolia Sw., and it has been reported only by Gardner, Brace 

 and Dolley. It is also found in Jamaica, Trinidad, Mexico and South Amer- 

 ica. The two species of the olive family given in this report are the only 

 two found on the Islands. The Boraginaccce, Vcrbenacece, Labiates, Solanacece 

 and Scroplmlariacece are all fairly well represented, but the largest families 

 on the Islands are the Rubiacece and Compositce. The Rubiacece here consist 

 principally of woody species, and the portion of woody species in the Com- 

 positcK is also greater than in temperate regions. The interesting family Len- 

 tibulariacece contains three Bahama species, two of Utricularia, and Pingui- 

 cula pumila Michx., all insectivorous plants. Families represented in the 

 Bahamas but not included in our list are the following: Cycadacece, Potamo- 

 getonacece, Juncaginacece, Hydroeliaritacecp, Liliacece, Aristolochiacece, Ranun- 

 culacece, Batidece, Papaveracea*. Polygalacece, Lythracece, Onagracece, Primu- 

 lacece, Plumbaginacecu,, Ebenaceat., Cuscutacece, Ilydropliyllacecf, Plantaginales. 

 All except two of these include but one Bahama species. 



The relative importance of families, not particularly mentioned above, 

 13 



