690 GEOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICAL BOTANY. 



much altered by cultivation. The flora of this group of islands approaches 

 that of the adjacent continent, but is distinguished especially (like the 

 Polynesian from the Indian flora) by the great quantity of Filices and 

 Orchidacese. In addition to these Orders, we find among the characteristic 

 forms the following : 



Genera. Thrinax, Epistylium, Alchornea, Tanaecium, Tetrantlms, 

 Catesbaea, Belonia, Portlandia, Picramnia, Legnods, Lithophila, Valen- 

 tinia, Hypelate. 



The following are deserving of mention among the predominant trees 

 and shrubs : Cocos nucifera, Pinus occidentalis, Laurus, sp., Melastoma, 

 sp., Myrtus, sp., Sterculia, sp., Uvaria, sp. 



Cultivated plants the same as in 15. 



(Grisebach's ' Flora of the West Indies ' is the best general guide to 

 the flora of these islands.) 



20. Region of Palms and Melastoma {Brazilian of Martins s Region). 



Mean temperature, 59-84 Fahr. (15-29 0.). 



Character. The Amazon district is perhaps best placed with the cis- 

 eequatorial. The central Brazilian region consists of a mountain range 

 to the east, near the coast, and in the interior high tableland. In the 

 dry season vegetation is dormant, but extraordinarily varied and vigorous 

 in the rainy season. Probably it is that portion of the globe in which 

 the Vegetable Kingdom presents the greatest profusion and variety. 

 Abundance of genera and species, magnitude of individuals, impenetrable 

 (primaeval) forests, numerous climbing and parasitical plants. Among 

 the characteristic, although not peculiar Orders may be named Palmacere, 

 Haernodoraceas, Gesneraceae, Melastomaceae, and Sapindaceae ; the Vochy- 

 siaceae are peculiar. The peculiar genera are too numerous to be men- 

 tioned here ; among those richest in species are the 



Genera. Vellosia, Barbacenia, Manihot, Franciscea, Ditassa, Lycno- 

 phora, Diplusodon, Kielmeyra, Sauvagesia, Lavradia. 



Characteristic genera and species, according to the different modes of 

 occurrence. In the primaeval forests : Palms of various genera, Ficus, 

 Cecropia, Anda, Ehopala, Myristica, Bignonia, Tlieophrasta, Stifftia, 

 Oxyanthus, Coutarea, Psychotria, Bertiera, Feuillea, Carica, Myrtus, Gus- 

 tavia, Lecythis, Bertholletia, Melastoma, Hymenaea, Dimorpha, Tratti- 

 nickia, Pilocarpus, Trichilia, Cedrela, Cupania, Banisteria, Hippocratea, 

 Caryocar, Marcgravia, Clusia, Calophyllum, Sloanea, Gothea, Lebretonia, 

 Abroma, Carolinea, Bixa, Uvaria. 



In the Catingas (or open woods, where the trees lose their leaves in the 

 dry season) : Jatropha, sp., Acacia, sp., Mimosa, sp., Caesalpinia pubescens, 

 &c., Spondias tuberosa, Thryallis brasiliensis, Chorisia ventricosa, Bombax, 

 sp., Eriodendron, sp., Pourretia ventricosa, Capparis lineata, &c., Anona 

 obtusifolia, &c. 



In the Campos (open treeless plains): Paniceae, Amaryllis, Alstrce- 

 meria, Vellosia, Barbacenia, Burmannia, Stelis, Cnemidostachys, lihopala, 

 Laurus, Ocotea, Gomphrena, Lantana, Echites, Hancornia speciosa, Ges- 

 nera, Lycnophora, Baccharis, Vernouia, Mikania, Stevia, Melastoma, 

 Khexia, Terniinalia fagi folia, Gaudichaudia, Sauvagesia, Lavradia, Plect- 

 anthera. 



