THE BOTANY OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 177 



plant is undoubtedly indigenous to Christmas Island. 

 It occurs in the dense woods of the interior. It is very 

 difficult to see how it has got there. 



H. Abelmosehus, L. The musk seed was found by myself at 

 my first visit near the settlement. It is common culti- 

 vated plant, and no doubt had been introduced. It has 

 since disappeared. 



H. tiliaceus, L. 



This sea shore tree is abundant in Flying Fish Cove 

 and at North East point and also at the Waterfall, 

 growing as usual close to the sea. It is common on all 

 the sea coasts from Polynesia, to Sandwich Islands, 

 Galapagos, Malay islands, Cocos, Pitcairn Island, to the 

 Malay peninsula. First collected in Christmas Island by 

 Lister, also by Andrews. The seeds are sea borne, 

 and the flowers fertilized by Megachile sp. 



STERCULIACEiE. 



Kleinhovia Hospita, L. 



A large shrub or tree about 20 feet tall with panicles of 

 rose pink flowers very showy. Fruit capsular, with 

 small seeds. Common on the lower terraces Rocky point, 

 Phosphate hill, etc. First collected by Andrews. The 

 plant is quite typical. The distribution is Philippines, 

 New Guinea, Java, JBanka, Malay peninsula, India and 

 Ceylon and East Tropical Africa. In the Malay penin- 

 sula where it is not common, it occurs on river banks. 

 I suspect this plant is dispersed by sea but am doubtful 

 as to how it comes to be widely spread. It does not 

 seem to be a typical sea shore plant. 



Triumfetta suffruticosa, Bl . 



A large branched shrub, stems hairy with pale appres- 

 sed hairs. Leaves alternate ovate orbicular cordate acute 

 crenulate, sprinkled with stellate hairs on both sides 



R. A. Soc, No. 45, 1905 



