PHYSICAL STRUCTURE. 109 



proposed to be given to it. In character it is allied to Ficus microphylla of this 

 Colony ; but the smaller size of the fruit and foliage, and its numerous root- 

 stems, at once distinguish it from that species."* 



One of the most conspicuous trees is the Hemicyclia australasica, 

 Mueller, to which attention is at once attracted by its red-coloured plum- 

 like fruit. The trees of most frequent occurrence are Hibiscus Fatersoni, 

 the " Juniper," Myoporum acuminatum, Br., and a tree supposed to be the 

 " Manchineel "mentioned by Ball — Ochrosia elliptica. They occur always 

 near the coast, and form the outer or protecting belt of trees. Epacridacious 

 plants are represented by the large T>racophyllum Fitzgeraldii, found in 

 Erskine Valley. It reaches as much as forty feet high, with a trunk at least 

 two feet in diameter. It is allied to indigenous species of New Zealand and 

 New Caledonia. There is a Mistletoe-like parasite Viscum opuntioides, Eorster, 

 but is restricted, Mr. Moore says, to Hemicyclia and Flccodendron, and kills 

 the timber upon which it grows. It is also found in Norfolk Island. A 

 cane-like climbing plant, Flagellaria, completely uniting surrounding trees ; 

 and the " Tulip Tree," Fugosia Patter sonii. We had very unpleasant 

 experience of a most offensive plant, which appears to be generally distributed 

 over Lord Howe, called the " Stink Plant," Coprosoma putida, Moore and 

 Mueller, emitting a smell from its bruised leaves or branches not easily for- 

 gotten, and described by Mr. Moore as " perfectly abominable." It 

 reminded us more than anything of the odour from an ancient cesspool. 

 Lieutenant Ball speaks of the Mangrove, but Mr. Moore says that JEgiceras 

 fragrans was observed only at the mouth of a small creek from Mount 

 Grower. We did not see it. 



Many very beautiful ferns were observed ; but I regret to say that the 

 tree-ferns are not found in the profusion they appear to have once existed, 

 except in the more inaccessible parts of the island. Mr. Moore mentions 

 two new arborescent species of AlsopJiila, and A. excelsa, Br., with Tricho- 

 tnanes meifolium. 



At the top of Mount Grower occur another fine species of Trichomanes, 

 Lomaria capensis, and Hymenophyllum tunbridgense, where they grow in 

 great profusion. 



The general set of the currents is from the north and north-east, but the 

 local currents around the island appear to be very variable. The most 

 important one is that running through the Sugar-loaf Passage, between the 

 main island and the Admiralty Islets. The larger number appear to be one 

 knot currents. 



The tide rises and falls about six feet. There are two good anchorages, one 

 on each side of the island. That on the east lies off Ned's Beach in 16-18 

 fathoms, and is known as the North-east Roadstead. The second is called 

 the South-west Roadstead, and is situated outside the main middle entrance 

 to the Lagoon, in 15-18 fathoms ; and there is a temporary anchorage outside 

 the north end of the reef. A well-defined 20 fathom line exists on the east, 

 and supposing an elevation of this amount to take place, it would be the 

 means of adding to the superficial area of Lord Howe in that direction, and 

 northerly and southerly, land many times its present size. 



The prevailing winds in summer are from the south-east, and during 

 winter from the south-west, the latter at times blowing with great violence, 

 accompanied by severe rain squalls. According to Mr. E. S. Hill, " cyclones 

 from the N.N.W. occasionally devastate a confined area of from 40 to 50 

 yards wide," but these are not of frequent occurrence. The steep gullies 



f Moore, in Hill's Lord Howe Island, loc. cit., p. 21. 



