2G0 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



and only twelve miles distant, this island may be regarded as an 

 appendage of Taheiti. It is irregularly oblong, indented, and some- 

 what crescent-shaped ; with wilder scenery than around the coast 

 portion of Taheiti; the highest of its sharp mountain-peaks being 

 "three thousand feet" in elevation; and the jagged lofty connecting 

 ridge, thin to the base, and even containing window-like apertures ; 

 two of which, large, lacerate, and admitting a view beyond, were in 

 sight from the anchorage. Parts of two days were spent on shore ; 

 where I observed cellular lava to be abundant. 



The strand being in great part margined with coral, presented some 

 of the coral-island plants; in other situations, the vegetable growth 

 proved the same as on Taheiti; the Inocarpm, however, being some- 

 what more frequent. High up on the mountain-ridge, were perpen- 

 dicular cliffs exposed to the sun ; differing in this respect from those 

 on Taheiti; and containing in the crevices one or two species of plants 

 that we did not meet with elsewhere. 



Tlie plants we found on Aimeo are included in the following List 

 with those observed on Taheiti, but are separately specified : 



(Stephania Fosteri, No. 1 ; recorded as) Cocculus ?. A vine; the leaves peltate. Growing; 

 in open places in the mountain-forest.* 



* Unlike the inhabitants of any other country I have visited, the Taheitians have been 

 accustomed to disseminate seeds and plants through the forest : so that well-known objects 

 of cultivation occasionally make their appearance in the wildest and most secluded por- 

 tions of the island. 



Anona (squamosa?); the "custard apple." A shrub; oblong leaves. Cultivated; 



(having been introduced by trading and colonial Whites). 

 (Cardamine sarmentosa, No. 1 ; bis Metia). Growing in waste places near the coast; 



probably introduced. 



(Crassica oleracea ; cabbages seen in a garden. The plant introduced by trading and 

 colonial Whites). 



( rapa) ; the turnip. In one locality naturalized along a pathway, but the root 



probably of no value ; (introduced by trading and colonial Whites). 



Cleome (pentaphylla). One to two feet high; five-leaved ; flowers white. In waste places; 

 introduced (by trading and colonial Whites). 



Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, (No 1 j. A beautiful tree, planted for ornament around the dwell- 

 ings of the natives. (Introduced by aboriginal settlers; being) mentioned by Forster. 



(Abelmoschus moschatus, No. 1; compare A. manihot). Herbaceous, three feet high; 

 leaves five-lobed, pilose ; outer calyx of eight linear segments ; flowers large and orna- 

 mental ; yellow, with a purple centre ; fruit a follicle ?. In open valleys between the 

 mountain-ridges ; (introduced by aboriginal settlers). 



