67 



of Upolu, and also on an old dakua tree (damniara 

 vitiensis) near the Blackwater, {Wai nl Loa,) in the 

 interior of Viti Levu. 



Among parasites there are three species of loranths, 

 and two curious species of apphylous viscums (niisle- 

 toe). The loranths are very common in Fiji, and 

 are found on nearly every ivi tree (inocarpus edulis). 

 The flowers of the loranths are beautifully co- 

 loured, red and purple, yellow, and yellow and 

 purple. The hydnophytum is a curious and inte- 

 resting genus of rubiaceae. Eour species of this genus 

 have been discovered in Eiji. They are epiphytal 

 plants, and are generally found on the trunks or 

 branches of trees. Their favourite position is between 

 the forks of the branches, where they sit most securely. 

 The part that may be termed the stem or trunk of 

 the plant, is cone shaped, flat or concave at the base, 

 adapting itself to that part of the trunk or branch on 

 which it sits, and rounded more or less at the top or 

 apex. The largest seen was about a foot in diameter, 

 and 15 inches in height. The stem is composed of a 

 soft, spongy, fibrous substance, dark coloured on the 

 outside, altogether, not unlike a large purple turnip. 

 The black fibrous roots are generally emitted from 

 the edges of the stem at its base, and cover, like a 

 net, the bark of the tree to which they firmly adhere. 

 Prom the top of the stem rise the branches bearing 

 the leaves and flowers. The latter are either white 

 or yellow, and sometimes an inch in length. The 

 stem is a favourite residence of vicious black ants 

 which make their nests in it, and hollow it out into 

 numerous passages, from which they issue in hordes 

 at the. least disturbance. Balanophora is a curious 

 root parasite, and the ivaloa, or black creeper 



E 2 



