520 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



past noon, anchored at tlie Mangsi coral-islets; a cluster between 

 the two high islands of Balabac and Banguey, in the middle of the 

 strait or passage leading out of the Sulu Sea, and separating Palawan 

 from Borneo. We found here three coral-patches ; one of them devoid 

 of vegetation, in the distance a mere white line on the surface of the 

 ocean; the other two, covered with large trees. On landing, we met 

 with a very considerable variety of plants; and among them, certain 

 species hardly or not at all seen since leaving the coral-islands of the 

 Pacific. Frequent and heavy showers fell during the three succeeding 

 days; but this did not deter us from spending much of the time on 

 shore. 



From our anchorage, the continuously-elevated island of Balabac 

 was barely visible in the North. In the Soutli, Banguey was some- 

 what nearer; containing a mountain almost ''sixteen hundred feet" in 

 elevation: towards which the Vincennes sailed on the 12th, bringing 

 into view the low Northeastern end of the island. 



Continuing beyond, another island in the Southwest came in sight; 

 of very considerable extent, but entirely flat like a coral-island. We 

 were here only " twelve miles" from the main land of Borneo; which 

 being low, around the coast, was not visible even at this our nearest 

 approach. 



The following plants were found growing on Mindanao, Sulu, and 

 the Mangsi coral-islets : 



Dillenia (compare No. 2 Luzon). A tree, sixty feet high ; leaves sometimes a foot long. 

 Growing in the forest, back of Caldera on Mindanao. No specimens.* 



Cocculus (No. 1). Hairy ; numerous small flowers. On the islet at Sulu. 



(No. 2). Stem pubescent ; leaves smooth, simply ovate. On the Mangsi coral- 

 islets. 



Capparis (No. 3) ; congen. Feejeean. A vine; the stem with recurved prickles ; leaves 



furfuraceous ; flowers rather small. At Caldera on Mindanao. The Mindanao sp. seen 



al^o on the islet at Sulu. 

 (No. -i) ; not before met with ; congen. Feejeean. A troublesome vine, with 



hooked prickles; leaves smooth, broad-lanceolate, green on both sides. On the islet 



at Sulu. 



* Gen. Cleomac; bis (No. 1) Banos on Luzon. Yellow-flowered. Fre(juent around ilie 



landing-place at Caldera. 

 Urena; perhaps the Polynesian species, (Metia to Tongatabu and No. 1 Feejee Islands). 



At Caldera. No specimens. 

 Sida. Some species seen at Caldera ; perhaps not indigenous. 



Durio Zebithinus, (No. 1). The fruit at a little distance having an odor not unlike that 



