314 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



There are, however, uninvited attendants on human migrations; such 

 as, a small species of rat, whose presence throughout Tropical Poly- 

 nesia, seems nearly universal. On some of the more remote coral 

 islets, the presence of this animal, proved to be the only remaining 

 evidence of the visits of man. 



On the other hand, the house Jly, which so abounds at certain coral 

 islands, was uniformly absent from the uninhabited ones. Various 

 other insects, have doubtless been transferred from island to island 

 by human means. 



This, too, was probably the case with the lizards (Scincidae); for the 

 agency of drift-wood, seems insufficient to account for their uni- 

 versal presence. 



With regard to the plants, I have already noticed the few species 

 introduced into the coral islands ; but as the same, are equally 

 found on the rocky groups, the following arrangement would be in- 

 complete, without repeating the enumeration : 

 Thespesia populnea, was seen by Mr. Rich at the Tarawan Group. 

 Morinda citrifolia, growing on most of the coral islands visited. 

 Gardenia Taitensis, a beautiful tree, the flowers of which are used by 



the Taheitians for decorating their hair. It was seen by Mr. Rich, 



at the Union Group. 

 Cordia sehestena, observed at Wake's Island, and at the Phoenix 



Group ; and to all appearance, spontaneously disseminated. Mr. 



Rich, found the tree at the Union and the Tarawan Groups. 

 Hernandia sonora, was seen by Mr. Rich at the Union Group ; raised 



by the natives from a drifted seed. 

 Borassus flahelliformis l , the Fan palm, was seen by Mr. Rich at the 



Union Group. 



Cocos nucifera, the cocoa palm. Notwithstanding that the fruit is 

 well-adapted for floating uninjured over a wide expanse, I have 

 never met with an instance of the cocoa palm having sponta- 

 neously extended itself from island to island. — Two distinct va- 

 rieties, are recognised at the Feejee Islands. 



Pandanus utilis, abundant, and perhaps spontaneously disseminated 

 on the coral islands : but it was seen planted, and also naturalized 

 or native, on the rocky groups. — A species apparently different, 

 and unquestionably native, grows on the mountain-tops of Tutuita, 

 in the Samoan Group. 



Colocasia esculenta, the taro, was found by Messrs. Rich and Hale, at 



A 



