( 26 ) 
In consequence of the different views of cryptogamists with regard to 
species, such comparisons are rendered very difficult even in well explored 
floras. It appears to me, however, more than probable that in the Andamans 
the number of the cryptogamse supersedes that of the phanerogams in 
species. 
When allowing 200 sp. (a number most certainly taken too low) for the 
fungi observed, the probable number of cryptogamae now observed in these 
islands is about 345 species, which would stand in relation to phanerogams 
in the ratio of 1 : 1*5. 
The following is a table showing the number of species roughly arranged 
and distinguished, and compared with those in the Galopagos :— 
Classes, &c. 
Andamans. 
Galopagos. 
Number of 
species. 
Approximate 
proportion. 
Number of 
species. 
Approximate 
proportion. 
Fungi 
200 (?) 
2 (?) 
1 (?) 
3T (?) 
Lichenes 
40 
a 
• 5 : 
9 
* 
Marine Algae ... ... ,., 
34 
f 
P 
• 
P 
Filices ... ... 
30 
% 
30 
i 
Hepaticse ... 
20 
5 
6 
Musci 
17 (?) 
4 
tV 
Fresh water Algae 
3 
Lyeopodiaceae 
Salviniaceee 
1 
i « « 
lUV 
0 ♦ « 
1 
i 
Total 
345 
• II 
51 
• 01 
Equisetaceae, Characeae, Hydropterides, and Ricciaceae are unrepresented 
on the islands visited by me in accordance with the absence of ponds and swamps 
of fresh water. 
29. While I was in the Andamans, I was in the habit of consulting 
Andamanese names for plants. P e °? le (convicts) from the most different parts of 
India tor the native names ot the plants. As a 
general result, I may state that the Burmans were best acquainted with the 
flora of the Andamans, but they are by no means equal to the Andamanese in 
accuracy and certainty of determination. While the Burmans were obliged 
continually to cut into the bark to recognise the trees, the Andamanese readily 
gave their names, and I could rely upon their statements, which was not the 
case at all with those of the Burmese. 
The Andamanese names are far simpler and more euphonious than the 
Burmese ones. 
With reference to the origin of the Andamanese aborigines, I suppose 
that the fact of their having a peculiar name for almost every plant is of great 
importance. 
They commonly add the syllable cc dah” to their names for trees and plants, 
which may signify perhaps cc it is”, or may be a corruption of the affirmative 
f ‘uh” (yes). 
They have often a single name for a diversity of plants belonging to the 
same family. Thus, for instance, they call Pterocarpus dalbergioides , Albizzia 
Lebbeh , and Inga 3 altogether tf£ beymadah.” Filices they designate by the name 
C£ bad mar,” &c. 
30. The Burmans, however, go a little farther, and have one 
Burmese names for plants. nE ™ e f ° r a TOrie ^ ° f P lants ^ deferent from 
each other; as for instance, Kanazo, which is 
applied to Ileritiera littoralis and Baccaurea sapicla; theet-ka-do =Sterculia 
omata and Cedrela Toona; mengu = Garcinia Mangostana and Flceagnm con* 
ferta , &c., &c. 
