OP LA PEROUSS. 327 



parations of this fort, and the heat of the climate 

 very quickly deftroys fuch of thefe articles as 

 imbibe it too long. 



On the 23d, we fet out at four o'clock in the 

 morning, on an excurfion to the eaftward. 



We were obliged feveral times to crofs the 

 pretty rivulet known by the name of Va'i-To- 

 mon, which emptied itfelf into the fea at a fmall 

 diftance from the eaft fide of the town : its banks 

 were covered with a great number of plants, 

 among which were feen feveral fpecies oijujfjaa. 

 I remarked, on the furface of its waters, that 

 which is defignated by the name of jujficea te- 

 nella : I admired the providence of Nature for 

 the prefervation of this vegetable : large tubercles 

 of an oval form, and filled with air, are difpofed 

 along its fialk, in order to buoy up the plant : 

 thefe veficles differ little from thofe with which 

 mofl fifhes are provided ; only each veiicle is here 

 compofed of a great number of blifiers, becaufe it 

 was neceflTary to feenre them againft the deflruc- 

 tion, which would involve that of the plant, 

 when they happen to be rubbed by the different 

 bodies that are carried away by the fiream. 



Notwithftanding the fhade of the neighbour- 

 ing trees, the elaocar^us monogymts was covered, 

 even down its lower branches, with beautiful 

 flowers elegantly crenated. In thefe folitary fo- 

 reft&j through the thick foliage of which the fun 



y 4 . does 



