INTRODUCED PLANTS OF POLYNESIA. 



315 



the Vaitupan and the Tarawan Groups. — The taro, is an important 

 esculent throughout the rocky groups, and particularly so, at the 

 Hawaiian Islands. In the dry method of culture, practised on the 

 mountains of Hawaii; the roots, were observed by Mr. Rich, to be 

 protected by a covering of fern-leaves. The cultivation of taro, is 

 hardly a process of multiplication; for the crown of the root, is 

 perpetually replanted. 

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

 Vaitupan and the Tarawan Groups. — As the plant endures for 

 a series of years, the roots serve at some of the rocky groups as a 

 security against famine. 



Proceeding now to the rocky groups; I shall commence, at the fur- 

 thest remove from the source of the introduced plants : the number 

 of which, will be found to increase regularly on advancing south and 

 west. A similar increase, takes place in the number of cultivated va- 

 rieties; and even to some extent, in the good quality of the product. 

 With the exception of the Gardenia, Hernandia, and Borassus, the 

 plants above enumerated, were all observed at the Hawaiian Islands; 

 together with the following, in addition : 



Gossypium religiosum? A shrub, naturalized around the cabins of 

 the natives. — At Taheiti,the cotton is made into wicks, for burning 

 cocoa-nut oil. 



Sida, a double-flowered variety of an indigenous species, cultivated 

 for decorating the hair. 



Cardiospermum helicacabum, a weed in cultivated ground and aban- 

 doned clearings: as also, at the central groups. 



Oxalis repens, a weed, growing around the native cabins: as also, at 

 the central groups. 



Tephrosia piscatoria, commonly naturalized in dry open grounds: as 

 also, throughout the central groups. 



Lablab vulgaris, the white-flowered species, naturalized in one or two 

 localities. — It was seen growing around the native houses, at the 

 Feejee Islands. 



Phaseolus amcenus, growing in abandoned clearings. 



Agati, a species apparently indigenous; the flowers smaller than in 

 A. grandiflora, and varying from scarlet to yellow. 



Jussicea angustifolia?, growing in wet grounds, and apparently indi- 

 genous; but possibly introduced with taro culture. 



Jambosa Malaccensis, the red-fruited species, abundantly naturalized 

 in elevated situations. 



