AFRO-INDIAN REGIONS. 



231 



also on the ground ; the proper undergrowth consisting of the Morinda 

 and other shrubs, with the Achyranthes. The Pandanus was also 

 abundantly intermingled ; and towards the South, the Calpidia by 

 degrees gave place to the Procris or " mulberry," the grove continuing 

 of equal height. 



The Lepidium, Boerhaavia, Urtica, and the Grasses being excepted, 

 the remaining species of plants observed on Taiara coral-island were 

 all found growing on Aratika. On the other hand, but two addi- 

 tional species here made their first appearance; the following List, as 

 will be perceived, being incomplete : 



(Calpidia ovatifolia ? ; bis No. 1 Henuaki and the Disappointment coral-islands). A tree, 

 presenting anomalies in growth described above; leaves opposite, penninerved, the 

 margin as though minutely serrulate; the flowers and fruit here first met with; the 

 flowers mono-chlamid or having but one floral envelope, which is small, greenish, and 

 5-cleft; stamens as many as eight or ten ; fruit inferior?, resembling that of Pisonia 

 and Plumbago.* 



Achyranthes ; bis (No. 1 Clermont-Tonnerre to Taiara coral-island). 



Procris ? ; bis (No. 1 Raraka coral-island, &c.) ; the "mulberry." At Raraka seen only 

 as a shrub, but here a tree, forty feet high. The natives, " twenty" in number, were 

 provided with an iron hatchet, by means of which they had felled several of these trees, 

 and bad besides excavated two canoes; intended, with the timber, " for the Taheitian 

 market." 



(Psilotum) ; bis (No. 1 Taiara coral-island). 



Polypodium ; bis (No. 1 Disappointment and Taiara coral-islands). 



Muse, incert. (No. 1). A moss was rather frequent on the bark of old trunks ; the first 



of the tribe we had met with on coral-islands. 

 Lichen incert. (No. 1). Incrusting old bark ; in company with the preceding moss. 



9. Manhii coral-island. Sailing thence, the Vincennes, on the 

 4th, arrived in sight of Manhii; having its Eastern end in about " S. 

 Lat. 14° 26' and W. Long. 146° 04'." This is a large coral-island, 

 " full fifteen miles in length and breadth," with an entrance to the 

 lagoon ; visited by Captain Vanderford, and regarded by him as of suf- 

 ficient depth to "admit a ship of war;" the "natives also mentioned 

 the name of a ship that had passed through into the lagoon." 



On the 6th, our party landed ; separating in different directions. In 



* Morinda; (bis No. 1 Taiara coral-island. Having every appearance of being sponta- 

 neously disseminated). 



Pandanus; bis (No. 1 Clermont-Tonnerre to Taiara coral-island. To all appearance, 

 spontaneously disseminated j. 



