INTRODUCED PLANTS OF POLYNESIA. 



319 



Cardamine sarmentosa, a weed in pathways : as also, at the more 

 western groups. 



Urena lobata, a weed in cultivated ground and neglected clearings : 



as also, at the more western groups. 

 Hibiscus rosa- Sinensis, a small and beautiful tree, sometimes seen in 



wild situations; where, however, it had been evidently planted. 

 Hibiscus abelmoschus, growing as a weed in neglected clearings. 

 Sida, one or more humble and inconspicuous species, naturalized in 



cultivated ground. 

 Colubrina Asiatica, growing on the borders of clearings, and perhaps 



really native. 



Inocarpus edulis, in all probability an indigenous tree ; but in some in- 

 stances, it appeared to have been planted. 



Spondias dulcis, the vi-apple, frequent; as likewise at Samoa; while 

 at the Feejee Islands, I heard of it in but one locaHty. — The Spon- 

 dias and the Erythrina, were the only deciduous trees observed in 

 central Polynesia. 



Desmodiiim purpureum, a weed in neglected clearings : as also, at the 

 more western groups. 



Pachyrhizus?, a sort of bean, cultivated (for the sake of the edible 

 yam-like roots), at the island of Metia near Taheiti. — I heard of 

 the same plant, at Tongataboo. 



Erythrina, a fine tree, naturalized. I did not learn, whether the wood 

 is used for the outriggers; like that of the E. monosperma at the 

 Hawaiian Islands. 



Poinciana, a favourite ornamental shrub, growing around the cabins 

 of the natives. — At Samoa, it was called ' meleke ;' but it was not 

 seen at the Feejee Islands. 



Abrus precatorius, confined chiefly to the sea-coast, and perhaps 

 really native. — The seeds, are used at the Feejee Islands for cover- 

 ing oracles, and other sacred objects. 



Acacia, a tree somewhat resembling the Tamarind, seen in one or two 

 instances ; and apparently, planted. — At the Feejee Islands, it is 

 clearly indigenous. 



Mimosa pudica, the sensitive plant, abundantly naturalized: as also, 

 at the more western groups. 



Melastoma Malabathrica, growing in natural openings and in neglected 

 clearings; and perhaps really native. — Also, in similar situations, at 

 the more western groups. 



Barringtonia speciosa, clearly indigenous. — But at the Feejee Islands, 



