244 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



hundred feet wide ; also, a scattering shrub, resembling a dead bush, 

 without fruit or seed, and about eighteen inches high." In regard to 

 the climate Mr. Benson states a fact that seems remarkable and 

 deserving of further inquiry : " that during a stay of thirty days 

 on the Equator," ending the 12th of February, " we had no rain." 

 The Longitude however of Baker's coral-island is not given ; and that 

 assigned on some maps marks a position North of or belonging to the 

 Phoenix Range. 



7i. The Tarawan or Kingsmill range of Low coral-islands. 



Westward of the Phoenix Range, the Kingsmill series of large coral- 

 islands is traversed by the Equator. Yet so extensive were the abori- 

 ginal wanderings of the Polynesians, that according to Mr. Hale, 

 Cook at Tongatabu heard of Tarawa. 



28. Taputeotjea, or Drummond coral-island, in the Kingsmill Range, 

 was visited by the Peacock ; and was found to be situated in " S. Lat. 

 1° 20' and E. Long. 174° 57';" probably its Southern extreme, for the 

 island extends " thirty miles" in length. On landing, Mr. Rich re- 

 marked the absence of " Lichens, Ferns, and large trees," and met 

 with only the following plants ; two of the species being additional : 



" SIda." (Compare No. 1 Phojnix coral-islands).* 

 " Calophyllum inophyllum," (No. 1). " Very small." 

 "Portulaca." (Compare Phoenix coral-islands). 



"Sesuvium." (Compare No. 1 Phoenix coral-islands, Tongatabu, and the rocky Ha- 

 waiian Group). 



" Guettarda." (Compare No. 1 Paumotuan to Phoenix coral-islands). 

 "Scaevola." (Compare Paumotuan and Phoenix coral-islands). 



"Cordia." (Compare No. 1 Otafuan and Phoenix coral-islands, and the rocky Taheitian 

 and Feejeean Groups). 



* " Thespesia" (No. 1), "or perhaps Paritium. Near house, cultivated?" 



" Morinda." (Compare No. 1 Paumotuan and Otafuan coral-islands to the rocky Feejeean 



Group). Mentioned also by Mr. Hale, as called " non" by the natives. 

 " Ficus." (Compare No. 1 Otafuan coral-islands). " Perhaps cultivated." 

 " Cocos." (Compare Paumotuan to Phoenix coral-islands). " Molasses from cocoa-trees; 



also paste from mixture with Pandanus." According to Mr. Hale, the aboriginal settlers 



found the cocoa-palm already on these islands. 

 " Arum cordifolium." (Compare Colocasia macrorhiza, bis No. 1 Vaitupan coral-islands). 



" Cultivated." 



" esculentum." (Compare Colocasia antiquorum, bis No. 2 Vaitupan coral-islands). 



" Cultivated." According to Mr. Hale, the plant was brought "from Banabe" or Ascen- 

 sion, a rocky island. 



