126 



growth offer some risk and persons have been injured or killed by 

 falHng into them. 



In these forested areas which have persisted because they are 

 too rocky to permit clearing and the cultivation of crops, one finds 

 a number of different species of shrubs and trees some with great 

 buttressed trunks and over a hundred feet in height. One also 

 finds several species of ferns and herbaceous plants and vines grow- 

 ing together in great profusion. Flagellaria gigantea, a curious 

 grass-like liana, which climbs to the tops of the tallest trees by means 

 of its prehensile-tipped leaves is also found here. Its great clusters 

 of small, white flowers are to be seen above the tops of the highest 

 trees and are collected with considerable difficulty. Among the 

 more abundant of the woody species to be found in the forested 

 areas and in the older thickets may be mentioned the following: 

 Celtis paniciilata, Trcina orientalis, Parafrophis anthropopha- 

 gorum, Ficus spp., Laportca Harvcyi, Piptnrus argcnteiis; Her- 

 nandia MoerenJioittiana, Pitfosponim Brackcnridgci, Adenanthera 

 pavonina, Inocarpus jagijcrus, Micromchim ininutum, AcronycJiia 

 sp., Canariitin Harvcyi, Dysoxylum Richii, Aglaia samoensis, 

 Glochidium ramifloruni, Macaranga Harvcyana, Rhus faitensis, 

 Ponietia pinnata, Ellafostachys falcata, Dodonaea viscose, Colu- 

 brina asiatica, Alphitonia zizyphoides, Elaeocarpiis samoensis, 

 Grewia crenafa, Psidiuin Guajava, Eugenia spp., Planchonella 

 samoensis, Diospyros, spp., Linociera pauciflora, Fagraea Ber- 

 teriana, Alyxia sfellata, Tarenna sambucina, Psychotria insularum, 

 Morinda citri folia, Morinda Forsteri, and Scaevola jrutcscens. The 

 cleared areas on the upper level are either bearing crops or are cov- 

 ered with a mass of second growth of ferns, grass, introduced 

 weeds, and low shrubs. 



Along the coast on the exposed rocks or adjacent territory grow 

 a number of interesting native species. A conspicuous shrubby plant 

 which grows at the cliff edge is Bikkia grandiflora with its large 

 white tubular flowers up to six inches or more long. Large num- 

 bers of Messersclimidia argentea trees grow along the rocky cliffs 

 and when in flower are surrounded with great clouds of butterflies. 

 Among other common species found in this region may be cited : 

 Procris pedunculata, Pipturus argentens, Hernandia ovigera, Cap- 

 paris sandzvichiana, Leucaena glauca, Eryfhina varicgata var. 



