XVII 



OESALPINIA 



185 



colour of the immature seed. All gradations may be noticed 

 from the olive-green of immaturity to the yellow, pale grey, and 

 dirty white hues of the mature seeds of Caesalpinia bonduc and to 

 the lead or slate-colour of those of C. bonducella. It almost 

 appeared as if the changes might be compared to the bleaching 

 which a dark volcanic rock undergoes in the weathering process 

 through the hydration and removal of the iron oxides. 



C/esalpinia in Fiji, Tahiti, and Hawaii. 



Note. — The characters of the Fijian plants are from my own observations. Drake del 

 Castillo is quoted for Tahiti, and Hillebrand for Hawaii. Reinecke observes that 

 the pods of C. bonducella in the inland forests have no prickles. 



In Fiji all three coast forms may be found on the same beach, 

 or they may exist apart. The large-leaved species (C. bonduc) 

 appears to be much the most frequent in Vanua Levu ; and the 

 intermediate form is common enough to disturb the serenity 

 of the observer's mind when he is anxious to diagnose 

 rather than to collect cumbersome specimens. The mountain 

 form, which came under my notice as a climber in the forest at an 



