288 BOTANICAL NOTES. 



or seventy feet, wliicli are more frequently observed during the lower 

 half of the ascent, are, a species of Cerhera ("anumi"), the "kunuka" 

 (Gnetum), the "palinoromus" (Couihovia), tlie " poporoko," and others; 

 whilst on the hill-slopes belovf the elevation of 500 feet the small 

 -conifer Gnetum Gnemon (" meriwa ") may be commonly seen. In 

 three different localities, at elevations of between 1,000 and 1,100 

 feet above the sea, I came upon brakes of fine bamboos {Schizosta- 

 cltyum?) 35 to 40 feet in length which are employed as fishing-poles 

 by the natives. This bamboo, both in Treasury and Faro Islands, 

 does not appear to occur below this height ; whilst in the Shortland 

 Islands, although found at a lower elevation, it selects the higher 

 re2;ions of the island. 



Above a thousand feet, many of the trees and palms so frequent 

 below become less common or disappear. The fan-palm (Licuala) 

 Avhich CTOws in such numbers in the lower levels did not come 

 under my notice above this elevation. On account of the absence 

 of laro-e trees near the summit, the lesser veo-etation receives more 

 of the sun's rays ; and thus at 1,G00 feet above the sea the alpinias, 

 such as the "vitoko" and the "kokuru" re-appear, plants which 

 usually abound in the lower levels in all open situations, as on the 

 banks of streams. For the same reason, we find near the summit 

 of the island at elevations of 1,G00 to 1,700 feet the tall com- 

 posite shrub, . Weddia hifiora, which is one of tlie commonest of 

 the plants that grow at the margin of the beach. On account 

 of this absence of large trees, and the consequent increased ex- 

 posure to the sun's rays, the smaller trees with conspicuous flowers 

 find a conofenial situation at this elevation : here are found the 

 species of Dolicholohium ("lowasi"), which is common on the 

 banks of the streams in the lower levels, the Fagra'ci Berteriana 

 ("bubulata") which groM's also at the coast, a wild nut-meg tree 

 {Mijristica), a sjiecies of Ilarpullia ('' wawaupoko), the " pakuri " 

 {Eugenia), the "baimoloi" and others. In these higher regions 

 tree-ferns grow to a height of thirty feet ; and here the areea- 

 palms, " momo " and "niga-torulO;" are also found. Here flourishes 

 the Gleichenia, a fern \\d>icli does not usuall}^ grow at elevations 

 under 700 feet above the sea, and which is represented by two 

 common species: it is the "sinlmi"' of the natives who, as I 

 have already remarked, work the fine strips of its vascular tissue 

 into armlets whicli they commonly wear. Near the summit and 

 all down the slopes is found a species of Begonia, a genus, as I 



