318 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



I met with only the farinaceous-rooted and edible variety. But 

 some twenty varieties, are regularly cultivated at the Samoan Isl- 

 ands ; where also, use is made of the leaves for dress. 



Commelina, one or more species, growing in cultivated ground ; appa- 

 rently the same that were seen at the central groups. 



Panicum, a species (near P. colonum), that did not appear to be truly 

 indigenous : but it was not met with at the other groups. 



Rhapis acicularis, abundant in the vicinity of habitations : as also, at 

 the central groups. The plant, in all probability, had been trans- 

 ported by the natives, through the adhering of the seeds. 



Cenchrus calyculatiis, frequent; as also, at the central groups; and 

 probably transported, like the preceding plant, through the adher- 

 ing of the seeds. 



Digitaria sangvinaU, frequent in cultivated ground : as also, at the 

 other groups. 



Saccharum officinale, the sugar-cane, aboriginally cultivated for the 

 sake of the crude stems; but not seen naturalized. — It is, however, 

 abundantly naturalized on the mountains of Taheiti; where it has 

 become so diminutive, that it was not at first recognised ; until occa- 

 sional larger stems, were found to possess a distinct saccharine fla- 

 vour. — At the Feejee Islands, the small type, has overrun extensive 

 unwooded districts; and the stems, (here uniform in size,) are used 

 for architectural purposes: while the large-stemmed cultivated va- 

 riety, seems to excel in sweetness. — In the humid climate of the Sa- 

 moan Islands, the sugar-cane is principally cultivated for thatching. 



Bamhos arundinacea, the bamboo, as throughout the Pacific islands, 

 was seen only in wild situations. The general use of the stems for 

 water-buckets, suggests the probable mode of its introduction. 



Kyllingia monocephala, frequent in wet places ; as also, at the central 

 groups; and probably introduced with taro culture. 



Ma?'sika, growing likewise in wet places; and perhaps introduced 

 with taro culture. 



All the plants thus far enumerated, were equally found at Taheiti; 

 with the exception of, the Thespesia, Hernandia, Borassus, Sida, 

 Lablab vulgaris, Agati, Jussisea, Hydrocotyle, Ocymum, Pisonia, 

 Piper methysticum. Zingiber zerumbet, and Panicum; together 

 with Commelina, and Ricinus, two plants, whose presence may have 

 been simply overlooked. On the other hand, the following additional 

 plants, made their appearance at Taheiti : 



