No. 373:] BOTANICAL ASPECTS OF JAMAICA. 4I 
exceedingly abundant, climbing high up the trunks of trees or 
clambering over rocks; Syngonium, closely resembling Philoden- 
dron, is also abundant, and species of Anthurium, Dieffenbachia, 
and other genera abound in the more moist localities. The 
floating Pzstza stratiotes is a common inhabitant of ponds and 
quiet rivers. 
Several species of Cacti are common, especially in the drier 
parts, where one columnar Cereus is often used for fences. 
One great night-blooming species, C. tszangularis, almost 
covered the trees in places. Two species of Rhipsalis were 
common at various places visited. 
Other striking plants were the innumerable lianas, draping 
and almost smothering the trees. Some of these were legumi- 
nous climbers, others Convolvulacez, Vitacez, Thunbergias, 
Allamandas, and a great many which there was not time to 
identify. Some of the showiest flowers seen belonged to these 
creepers. Many other interesting plants were noted, but those 
cited are enough to give some idea of the tropical character of 
the flora. 7 5 
All the ordinary cultivated plants-of the tropics grow with 
very little care, and many have become practically spontaneous. 
Fruit-growing has assumed great importance of late, and is 
becoming yearly more and more important. 
Except the ferns and liverworts no very careful studies were 
made on the lower plants. Probably no region of equal extent 
in the world is richer in ferns than Jamaica. About five hundred 
species have already been described, and there are probably 
many more to be discovered, as very little collecting has been 
done in the more inaccessible parts of the island. The ferns 
comprise all the tropical types, the Hymenophyllacez alone 
being represented by some fifty species. The Cyatheacez 
include the tree ferns, Cyathea, Alsophila, Hemitelia, which 
are numerous and of very large size and wonderful beauty. 
Of the Marattiaceze, J/arattia alata and several Danzeas are 
not uncommon in the higher mountains, and the Schizzeacez 
comprise species of Schizza, Lygodium, and Anemia. Glei- 
chenias of several species are common and conspicuous ferns. 
The Ophioglossaceze are scarce and none were encountered, 
