( 13 ) 
In these bamboo thickets Scleria lithosperma occurs abundantly in some 
places; Pteroloma triquetrum , Geophila, JElatostemma sesquifolium and several 
Scitaminece are frequently met with. 
The bamboo itself which forms these jungles is very variable as to size 
and habit, and nearly useless, the wood being very thin and soon decaying. 
A larger kind of bamboo will probably be found south of South Corbyn’s Cove, 
with culms nearly six inches in diameter, and of somewhat stronger quality. 
I myself, however, did not come across the growing plant; and I became 
aware of the existence of this species only from pieces of bamboo which I 
found occasionally around the camping places of the Andamanese. 
15. After having penetrated through these coast zones, we see the 
quantity of intricate climbers diminishing, and a 
in.— High forests of the interior greater uniformity of the vegetation appearing ; 
parts or central zone. 9, • -i . 7 x , f ° 
the luxuriance, however, remains nearly the same. 
The whole of this central region remains still a terra incognita , as I entered it 
for a few hours only. 
The chief trees observed there were Dipterocarpus laevis ; Draeontomelum , 
two species of Irina, Walsura sp ., Ternstrcemia penangiana , Bassia caloneura , 
Artocarpus cJiaplasJia and Chickrassia tabularis; also Garcinia , Mangifera , 
Myristica and Murraya exotica appeared most common. The principal shrubs 
were chiefly Alsodeia bengalensis , Unona longiflora , Grumilea elongata , and 
another hairy species, but the preponderance of the various species changes, 
even as in the other regions, with every mile of progress. 
The climbers were principally Dinochloa Tjangkorreh , and several species 
of Vitis; Calamus appeared less prickly, and only on some spots formed really 
impenetrable masses. 
Pandanopkyllum Zeylanicum , Hypoly trim, Eranthemun album , Bragantia 
tomentosa , Clerodendron , some dried up Acanthacece , several terrestrial 
Orchidece , Scitaminece and Musa were common. Epiphytical orchids are 
rare here; Aroideae are, however, frequent. Asplenium nidus is the most 
common fern on the trees, as Acrostichum setosum is on the ground. 
In the interior parts, north of Port Blair, bamboo seems to form the most 
extensive jungles, and to form a broad strip, interrupted occasionally by other 
jungles extending from the centre in a north north-east direction to Middle 
Andaman, following the formation of the chloritic rocks. 
16. The woodless spots are confined on South Andaman to Bird 
Islands near Viper and to the Bird-nest Cape 
5 at the entrance to Macpherson s Straits. There 
treeless rocks rise abruptly from the sea nearly vertically, and are completely 
exposed to the influence of wind and weather, so that only shrubs and 
perennial plants can sustain themselves along the barren precipices, which are 
nearly destitute of humus even on the ridges. 
The vegetation there (in May), however, was nearly quite burnt up by the 
scorching sun, and the whole appeared thorny, rugged, and of a brownish color. 
I could recognise only a few species when I passed this place, endeavouring to 
save my life after being stripped of everything by the robbers who attacked me. 
A Fimbristylis , with narrow stiff leaves, is common there, especially near 
the sea; also two or three Andropogonous grasses, which formed extended 
patches; some of these are prostrate grasses measuring two or three feet in 
length. Blecospermum spinosum , BLarrisonia Brownii (?), Capparis sepiaria, 
Atalanta monophylla , and a number of half-withered leafless shrubs appeared 
upon the rocks. 
The large number of orange-red fruits of Trichosanthes palmata produce 
a most agreeable effect on Bird Island, and look like a number of bright balls 
hanging from the rocks; at this place a coarse Cyperus is also common. 
Barren Island, which I did not visit, belongs partially to this section. 
As I observed the grasses occuring on it, which were brought by the deputation, 
