138 D. Pralu — Vegetation of the Cocas Group. [Nov, 



countries. But I think that the institution of the five ordeals must 

 have been a custom widely recognised in this country, as otherwise no 

 narrator would have introduced such a minute account of it into tales 

 intended for Indian readers. 



Wo doubt scholars wliose acquaintance with ancient Indian litera- 

 ture is wider than my own, will be able to throw fresh light on the 

 subject. 



The following papers were read : — 



1 . Natural History notes from H. M^s. Indian Marine Survey Steamer 

 " Investigator," Commander R. F. Hoskyn, R. N"., commanding. No. 25. 

 The Vegetation of the Coco Group. — By D. Prain, 



[Abstract.] 



The Cocos consist of three islands extending over a space of 15 

 miles, lying 30 — 45 miles north of Landfall, the northmost island 

 of the Andaman main group. These islands were visited by the writer 

 when the " Investigator" was surveying there in December 1889 and in 

 November 1890. All three islands were visited and a collection of plants 

 made. This paper describes the collection. It consists of three parts ; 



1. A sketch of the vegetation of the group with an account of the 

 relationship this bears to the physiogi^aphical features of the group. 



2. A list of the species collected ; with notes on their habitat, 

 distribution, and, occasionally, their systematic position. 



3. An enquiry into the nature, distribution and probable origin 

 of the Flora. 



The plants collected comprise 358 species distributed among 268 

 genera and 95 natural orders, 297 species being Phanerogams and 61 

 Cryptogams — a proportion of 4'85 to 1. 



Among the Phanerogams 238 are Dicots and 59 are Monocots — a 

 proportion of 4 to 1. 



Among the Dicots the Folypetalce equal the rest of the groups 

 in number, a somewhat unusual circumstance. The most extensively 

 represented natural order is Legitminosce (34 sp.} ; after a long interval 

 come Euphorhiacem and Graminece (15 sp. each) ; Convolvulacece (14 sp.) ; 

 Buhiacece, (13 sp.) ; Urticacece, (II sp.) ; Cyperacece, (10 sp.). No other 

 natural order, except Filices, (10 sp.), has more than 8 sp. and 24 of the 

 natural orders have but one species each. 



The non-vascular species (Lower cryptogams — Algoi, Fungi, and 

 Lichens) number 46; of the remaining 3 12 sp., 234 are erect and 78 are 

 climbers — a proportion of 3 to I. 



Of erect species 142 are woody, 92 are herbaceous ; among climbers 

 35 are woody, 43 are herbaceous — a proportion in the first case of 3 to 2 

 and in the second of 4 to 5. Of the climbing species 20^ or 257o> ^^® 

 armed. 



