42 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



were produced. The island everywhere is hroken up into innumerable rounded mountains and 

 hillocks, at the base of which may often be observed strata of gneiss and slate rocks. The 

 water, nearly everywhere, is soft, and almost entirely free from calcareous matter — a fact showing 

 that the lower strata, through which it passes before being collected into streamlets, are not 

 calcareous, as are some of the rocks which I have already mentioned. That such has been the 

 manner of formation of this land, can scarcely be doubted; and, were it necessary, I might 

 produce the strongest facts to prove my assertions. Having premised these few remarks upon 

 the outlines of the geology, I will at once proceed to what I have to say in reference to the 

 botany of the island. 



From the beautiful aspect everywhere presented to the eye of the casual observer, he is led to 

 infer that the variety of the vegetable kingdom is very great. But this idea soon vanishes upon 

 close investigation of all parts ; for there is a remarkable sameness pervading nearly the whole 

 country, from north to south, which is only varied now and then, to a small extent, as you 

 approach the gneiss, granite, and slate districts, and at considerable elevations above the sea. 

 The Flora, in some measure, presents a tropical appearance, though not as much as might be 

 expected from the position of the island, as compared with some others having a higher latitude. 

 Some of the trees attain to a large size, and yield useful timber for building and other pur- 

 poses. The most abundant, and those of largest growth, are several species of pines and the 

 banyan (ficus Indica).. The former, in many places, form forests of small extent ; but the 

 regularity of their arrangement into rows, affords a strong proof that they have been planted 

 by the natives. They are also found growing along most of their highways, forming beau- 

 tiful avenues to nearly all parts of the island. 



Of the order Conifers, there is the genus pinus, having the species P. mitis and P. strobus. 

 Several species of the genera abies and juniperus. The banyan {ficus Indica) is also found 

 nearly everywhere, sometimes growing singly, sometimes in large groves, and very often it is 

 planted on the tops of walls, when the branches are trimmed down so as to form beautiful square 

 hedges. It does not grow to the same size here that it does in India ; although now and then 

 very large trees are found, which send down many epiphytic roots. It does not appear to be 

 held as sacred by the natives, as it is in other Buddhist countries; for it is not found more fre- 

 quently about their temples and tombs than other trees, neither is more attention paid to its 

 cultivation. A species of syphonia is very abundant in the southern portion of the island, and 

 sometimes of large size. In the northern districts it is found only in the villages, forming, 

 when small, a very beautiful hedge. It appears to be of no other use than for ornamental pur- 

 poses, for which it answers very well on account of its general beauty. The ivory-nut tree I 

 saw at one place quite large and rilled with fruit. 



Of the EBENACEiB, there was but one species that I observed — the diospyros ebenus, which was 

 of sufficient size to make it of considerable importance. It is not very abundant, and is found 

 principally in the southern and western regions. 



Order EuPHOREiACEiE, two species : Palma Christi (ricinus communis) or castor-bean, and box- 

 wood (buxtis sempervirens) . The former grows quite abundantly, and quite large in many 

 places. The use of the bean appears not to be understood by the natives, and therefore they 

 are allowed to fall to the ground and decay when ripe. The boxwood also is very plentiful, 

 particularly in the south, where it forms handsome evergreen hedges. 



Of the Morris 1 saw two species, the morus rubra and nigra ; the latter, occasionally, as a 

 large and handsome tree. 



