286 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLAx\TS. 



The vegetable growth, being richer than on Taheiti, with the num- 

 ber of species doubled and a much greater variety of forest-trees, 

 many additional tribes of plants made their appearance: as Anonacece 

 in Uvaria, Thespesia, StercuUacecR, Ternstroemiacece, Ohcacece, Auran- 

 tiacece in Micromelum, Ampelidaceoe, Rhizoplioracece, Comhretaceoe, 

 normal Araliacece, Ehenacece, SoJanacecs, Verhenacem, Scrophulariacece, 

 Dais-like Tliymelece, Aristolochiacece, Antidesmece, Musacece, Dioscoreaceoe, 

 Palmacece, Aracece, and others. 



In accordance with the geographical position, it will be perceived, 

 that many of the additional tribes making their appearance are East 

 Indian rather than Polynesian : as, Uvaria, Kleinliocia, Micromelum, 

 Dendrolohium , Canavalia, Terminalia, Mo^sa, Hoya, Myristica, Hernan- 

 dia, Epicarpurus, F/agellaria, and Bamhos. 



In view of the constant humidity ; the vegetable growth consisting 

 principally of shrubs and trees, many of them bearing large and even 

 giant leaves, with the peltate form singularly frequent ; this would 

 seem to be the country of all others, in strongest contrast with Aus- 

 tralia. I was, therefore, surprised at meeting with a phyllodiadyearing 

 Acacia, growing along the sea-coast; but on examination, the foliage 

 partook of the Samoan rather than the Australian character, the 

 phyllodia being broad-elliptic, and almost tenderly-herbaceous. It 

 would seem impossible for Samoa to produce diminutive-leaved, deli- 

 cate, slender-stemmed plants, like those that fill Australia. 



There are, however, mountains on the Samoan Islands; though not 

 sufficiently elevated for a distinct mountain-region : and on comparing 

 the lofty Polynesian Groups, we note the absence of Lobeliacese, Me- 

 lanthaceae, Vacciniacete, and Epacridaceae. The Samoan mountain- 

 crests afford, however. New Zealand analogies : in the presence of 

 Metrosideros and Wcinmammt. 



Negative characters. Many species of Compositce root in wet 

 ground ; and many have no feathery pappus to bear their seeds 

 through the air; yet in general, Compositse become rare in rainy 

 climates. They seem altogether absent from the indigenous growth 

 on the Samoan Islands. 



Grasses continued extremely rare; but Cyperacece, though rare, were 

 in somewhat more variety than on Taheiti ; the principal change was 

 in Urticeous shrubs, which had become decidedly rarer. 



The negative characters continue throughout much as on Taheiti ; 

 as will appear by comparing the following List of missing Tribes : 



