ASH ISLAND. 189 



of the world, and are extremely common in Tropical America 

 and the Indian Archipelago. The species are very numerous, 

 and some of them difficult to define. Miguel describes nearly 200 

 species of Feperomia alone ! 



There is a caper plant on the island, which interested me very 

 much, as I had never seen it in its native state before. The 

 young plants differ so much from those more advanced, that 

 when the unfortunate Leichhardt visited Ash Island, he thought 

 that they were distinct species. In Sir Thomas Mitchell's Expedi- 

 tions, that writer alludes to a species of caper, either identical with 

 the one in question, or nearly allied to it. In vol. 1, page 287, he 

 says, " On the banks of the river we found, besides the native 

 fires, the remains of a fruit, different from any I had seen before. 

 It seemed to be of a round shape, with a rind like an orange, and 

 the inside, which appeared to have been eaten, resembled a 

 pomegranate." Again, at page 314, he says, " To-day I fell in 

 with a tree, of which I saw but a single specimen during my for- 

 mer journey, and I had observed only a sickly one before during 

 this expedition. It bore a yellow flower, and fruit resembling a 

 small pomegranate, on a hooked stalk. * 



I considered this a very remarkable tree, as well from its rare 

 occurrence, as on account of its fruit, of which the natives appear 

 to make some use. 



I was surprised to find many specimens of the tree in the scrub, 

 through which we had previously passed, without observing them. 

 On one plant, we found some fruit apparently full grown but not 

 ripe ; and on others perfect specimens of the last year's crop, 

 including, of course, the seeds. The fruit resembles a small 

 lemon, but has within small nuts or stones, enveloped in a soft 

 pulp, and the whole has an agreeable perfume. We also found 

 some specimens of the flower, rather faded. * * My 



friend Dr. Lindley considers this one of the most interesting 

 plants brought home by me." This plant has been found at the 

 Castlereagh by Mr. C. Lowe, at the Bogan by Mr. J. Lowe, and 

 near "Warwick by Dr. Beckler. In honour of the late Sir T. 

 Mitchell, it has been named Capparis Mitcliellii. Several tropical 

 species from New Holland are described, and one from New 

 South Wales (C. canescens), but the last mentioned has white 

 flowers, and the leaves are not smooth, as in the species before us. 



