148 AN EXPEDITON TO CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 



parallel to Steep Point, we found it was necessary to cross to 

 the main hill through a dense mass of scrub composed chiefly 

 of interlaced Wedelia over blocks and pinnacles of coral reef. 

 It was intensely hot, and there was no shade, and the work 

 was extremely arduous and exhausting. Then we had to force 

 our way up the great masses of coral rock covered densely 

 with pandans with cudrania and other climbing plants. The 

 whole of this part of Steep Eock to the edge of the cliff is 

 covered with great masses of rock with deep hollows between 

 and covered with thick growth of climbers, Pandans and 

 Ficus and other trees. After a short rest and a drink of cold 

 tea quite inadequate to allay my excessive thirst we felled an 

 Arenga Palm for the sake of the refreshing cabbage of the 

 bud and sought in vain for the Asystasia. Another plant of 

 the Balanophora was found, fruit of the big . tree Ochrocarpus, 

 and some other botanical desiderata. Then crossing the ridge 

 northwards and descending a steep slope of loose blocks of 

 coral reef we made our way across the upper part of the dried 

 up stream, hoping to find water as the streams usually break 

 out at the junction of the coral reef and basalt and then after 

 a short distance go underground again. No trace of water 

 was seen, but pushing on through the forest we met with the 

 fisherman's track and in an hour or so got to the Waterfall 

 and lost no time in slaking our thirst at the stream. There is 

 doubtless an easier way of getting to Steep Point than either 

 the way we went or returned, but it would be necessary to go 

 a good de'al further inland well above the source of the stream, 

 and in any case it would be a stiff walk. 



10th — Next day, we went along the coast to the South 

 East, descending to the shore where it was possible, which it 

 is at several spots, not far from the promontory which bounds 

 Waterfall Bay on this side. The first descent was made over 

 the basalt outcrop. The basalt here is somewhat columnar 

 and in parts in balls or nodules surrounded and aggregated 

 by crystalline carbonate of lime. A number of seaweeds, 

 Sargassum, Turbinaria, etc., were collected in the rock pools 

 and Marisecus albescens almost out of flower and burnt up by the 

 drought was found, a new record for Christmas Island though 



Jour. Straits Branch 



