60 



cassytha filiformis, cocoa-nut, terminalia catappa 

 I a cole, paritium tiliaceum vaud'uia. The presence 

 of the cocoa-nut and cerbera in the interior as well as 

 the dilo and tavola may be owing to the agency of 

 the natives. On the other hand, several species of 

 land plants are found on the sea- shore, on the edges of 

 tidal estuaries, and salt water marshes. The branches 

 of large trees overhanging the sea may frequently be 

 found covered with epiphytes, or orchids, ferns and 

 lycopods, which all apparently rejoice in an occasional 

 bath of salt water spray. None of the mountains of 

 Fiji are high enough for an alpine flora to exist. 

 Many of the plants found on the tops of the moun- 

 tains are also found near the level of the sea, even on 

 the shore. On the other hand, sea level plants may 

 also be found on the tops of the hills. But in the one 

 case, the number of sea-level plants decreases in the 

 ascent to a higher elevation, and in the other, mountain 

 plants become fewer on approaching the sea. Except 

 in favoured situations, plants whose habitat is in the 

 warm sheltered plains and valleys, present a stunted 

 and weather-beaten appearance, when met with on 

 the higher mountain sides. This in general may be 

 owing to the scantiness of the soil as well as exposure 

 to the winds and cool air. The plants of the moun- 

 tain tops, when found near the sea still occupy a posi- 

 tion similar to their native one, viz., the top of a 

 ridge. But when these plants are found at low 

 elevations, the majority of them are lank, drawn up, 

 and lean on others for support, plainly indicating that 

 the climate is too hot for them. 



One or two species of cinnamon, litsea, alstonia, 

 paphia, polystichum, blechnum, calophyllum, podo- 

 carpuSj calanthe, pavetta, selaginella, and a great 



