1891.] 



D. Praia. — The Vegetation of the Coco Group. 



371 



* Celosia cristata. 

 25. * Achyranthes aspera. 



* Gomplirena globosa. 

 *Eupliorbia pilulifera. 



* Musa sapientum. 



* Cocos nuclfera. 



30. * Kyllinga brevifolia. 

 * Fimbristylis diphylla. 

 48 



the sea or to that of littoral birds, such 

 as the Bitterns and Teras that frequent 

 the reefs and rocks, its sticky fruits 

 probably attaching themselves to the 

 feet of these,] 

 Table Island, a common escape. 

 Both islands, common in the clearings 

 and undoubtedly introduced by man. 

 But on Little Coco, the very distinct 

 VAB. porphyristachya is abundant as a 

 climber in the Pandanus sea-fence and 

 is probably, like the same variety in 

 the Nicobars, Laccadives, etc., a plant 

 introduced by the sea. 



Table Island, an abundant escape. 



Table Island, a weed in the clearing, 

 still rare. 



There is a Plantain-garden attached to 

 the lighthouse on Table Island. No 

 Plantains are left on Great Coco, doubt- 

 less owing to the cattle. These ani- 

 mals eat not only coco-nut leaves but 

 also the leaves of Pandanus odoratis- 

 simus, so that one is surprised to find 

 that they have left anything in the 

 garden at all. Except for the cattle (and 

 perhaps the pigs, which might grout up 

 the stocks) there is no reason why the 

 Plantain should not thrive if left to 

 itself. In Narcondam there is a grove 

 of Plantains, introduced (by Col. Tyt- 

 ler ?), in excellent, health. 



Common in all three islands but deserv- 

 ing neither to be deemed indigenous 

 nor to be considered a species intro- 

 duced by the sea. The question whe- 

 ther its presence is due to some old 

 attempt at settlement or to the ship- 

 wreck of some coco-nut laden craft is 

 discussed more fully below. 



Both islands, only in the clearings. 



Both islands, only in the clearings. 



