22 CONFESSIONS OF A BEACHCOMBER 



credited with perfume; but when it grows in great un- 

 molested masses its contribution is pleasant, if not very 

 decided. The pretty terrestrial orchid ( Cyrtostylis reniformis) 

 is delicately fragrant, but the great showy Phaius grandi- 

 folius (the tropical foxglove) and the meek Geodorum 

 pictum (Queensland's lily of the valley) are denied the 

 gift. 



The forest, the jungle, the grassy spots, the hot rocks 

 (with hoya and orchids), and even the sands, with the native 

 sweet-pea, are fragrant. A lowly creeping plant {Vitex 

 trifoUd), with small spikes of lavender-coloured flowers, and 

 grey-green silvery leaves, mingles with the coarse grasses 

 of the sandy flats, and usurping broad areas forms an 

 aromatic carpet from which every footstep expresses a 

 homely pungency as of marjoram and sage. The odour of 

 the island may be specific, and therefore to be prized, yet 

 it gladdens also because it awakens happy and all too fleet- 

 ing reminiscences. English fields and hedges cannot be 

 forgotten when one of our trees diffuses the scent of meadow- 

 sweet, and one of the orchids that of hawthorn. " Scent 

 and silence " is the phrase which expresses the individuality 

 of our island, and better " scented silence " than all the 

 noisy odours of the town. 



However showy the flora of the island, the existence of 

 kindly fruits must be deplored. Immense quantities, 

 alluring in colour and form, are produced ; but not a single 

 variety of real excellence. The raspberries (two kinds) 

 have but little flavour ; the native " Cape gooseberry " 

 {Phy sails mlmls), which appears like magic when the jungle 

 is felled and burnt off, is regarded with hostility, though 

 unworthily, even by the blacks ; the " wild " grapes are sour 

 and fiery, and among the many figs only two or three are 

 pleasant, and but one good. "Bedyewrie" [Xlmenla 

 Amerlcand) has a sweetish flavor, witji a speedy after-taste 

 of bitter almonds, and generally refreshing and thirst- 

 allaying qualities ; the shiny blue quandong {Elmocarpus 

 grandis), misleading and insipid ; the Herbert River cherry 

 {Antldesma Dallachyanum), agreeable certainly, but not 



