174 THE BOTANY OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 



Polynesian Islands, Malay Archipelago, and Peninsula, 

 India and Mascarene Islands, and is always to be found 

 near the sea, though it will grow in open country inland. 

 The seeds are often drifted about in the sea, but are 

 dispersed inland often by fruit bats. 



Malvaceae. 



Malvastrum tricuspidatum, A Gray. 



A low shrubby plant with buff yellow flowers, occurs 

 in Flying Fish Cove. It was also collected by Andrews. 

 I saw it nowhere else. It is widely distributed but ab- 

 sent from many places, occuring in Africa, India, Austra- 

 lia, Cocos, and South America, probably introduced in 

 some of these localities. 



Sicht spinosa, L. 



An erect shrublet with buff yellow flowers grew also 

 in Flying Fish Cove near the last species and I also 

 found it along the cemetery road. Not previously 

 recorded. A sea shore plant occurring in America, 

 India, Mala\ an peninsula and islands. Australia and 

 Africa. 



Abutilon auritum, Sweet Hort, Brit. 1 p. 58. 



A tall shrubby plant 7 or 8 feet high, much branched 

 pubescent leaves ovate cordate obtuse 4 inches long 

 three inches wide edge crenulate light green pubescent, 

 petiole 3-4 inches long. Stipules ovate ^ inch long. 

 Panicles terminal lax with branches 4 or 5 inches or 

 more long pubescent. Pedicels -^ inch long. Sepals 

 ovate subacute -j| inch long green woolly pubescent. 

 Corolla an inch across, petals obovate minutely mucro- 

 nate bright orange yellow finely striate. Staminal tube 

 much shorter with 6 filaments. Fruit % inch long of 9 

 carpels. 



Common all round Flying Fish Cove to Smith point, 

 and to North East point along the Cemetery road. On 

 the lower terrace. Flowers opening in the afternoon. 



Jour. Straits Branch 



