26 PLANTS. 



in so doing, fortunately, did not meet with any 

 molestation from the inhabitants. On landinQ^, 

 usually upon a sandy beach, or rocks of granite, 

 shell-fish, and other marine animals, were very 

 scarce. The hills were covered, about the de- 

 clivities, with a large quantity of shrubs and 

 plants, and a variety of grasses : the summits 

 were usually barren, and covered with sand. 

 Two or three species of Melastoma were very 

 abundant ; and one species, the quinquenervia, 

 was in full flower, being beautifully covered with 

 a profusion of large rose-coloured blossoms, form- 

 ing a contrast, by their brilliancy, to the dull, un- 

 interesting character of the vegetation around. 



Several of the fern tribe were also abundant, 

 either by the borders of the rivulets, or strewed 

 over the .declivities and summits of the hills. 

 Among them was the Gleichenia hermanni, Bluch- 

 num, Polypodium, &c. ; as well as a Ficus, bear- 

 ing small red fruit, and other shrubs. In the 

 valleys, or any little irrigated spots, the cultiva- 

 tion of rice was particularly attended to. The 

 fruit of the Melastoma (for several of the shrubs 

 were in fructification) yielded a dark bluish 

 juice, on which several coleopterous insects fed. 

 Two water snakes were caught upon the beach ; 

 one of a bright yellow over the head and neck, 

 and of slender form. Amonc^ other botanical 



