THE BOTANY OF CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 243 



hill on ground cleared by the Chinese for cultivation. 

 It occurs nearly all over the world. 



Oplismenus compositus, Beauv. 



Perhaps the most abundant grass on the island, 

 growing all through the more open woods. It is the 

 best fodder grass on the island and is regularly col- 

 lected for the horses and cattle. As it is so widely 

 distributed in the island I surmise that it is indigenous, 

 though it was not obtained by Lister. Andrews how- 

 ever collected it and found it abundant. There 

 are two forms here, one tall with long spikes the other 

 more compact. Distribution, all tropical and warm 

 countries. 



Ischaemum foliosum var leiophyllum, Hack. 



A somewhat variable usually tufted grass growing 

 on the rocks above the sea, from beyond Smiths' 

 Point to Flying . Fish Cove, and along to near the 

 Waterfall but scarcer on this coast. It does not grow 

 inland. Rendle suggests that it is probably only a 

 form of /. ciliare, but no two species could be more 

 different in habit and structure. It is the /. murinum 

 Forst, of Hemsley's list. The plant varies somewhat. 

 Specimens growing in less exposed places are taller and 

 more flaccid than those of the much exposed places. 

 The spikelets break off when ripe and are drifted 

 along the coast by the wind. One often sees little 

 piles of them in holes on the rocks. Distribution New 

 Caledonia. 



Eleusine indica, L. This common grass is abundant on Flying 

 Fish Cove and Phosphate Hill and near the Waterfall. It 

 only occurs in cultivated ground, and is evidently 

 introduced. It first appears in Andrew's collection. 

 Distribution all warm countries. 



Eragrostis plumosa, Link. A pretty feathery grass forming 

 large tufts, very abundant in dry open places. Flying 

 Fish Cove, Smith Point, Waterfall. 



B. A.SOC, No 45, 1905 



