371 
* Celosia cristata. 
25. * Acbyranthes aspera. 
* Gomphrena globosa. 
^Euphorbia pilulifera. 
* Musa sapientum. 
* Cocos nucifei’a. 
30. * Kyllinga brevifolia. 
* Fimbristylis dipbylla. 
the sea or to that of littoral birds, such 
as the Bitterns and Terns that frequent 
the reefs and rocks, its sticky fruits 
probably attaching themselves to the 
feet of these.] 
Table Island, a common escape. 
Both islands, common in the clearings 
and undoubtedly introduced by man. 
But on Little Coco, the very distinct 
VAR. porphyristachya is abundant as a 
climber in the Pandanus sea-fence and 
is probably, like the same variety in 
the Nicobars, Laccadives, etc., a plant 
introduced by the sea. 
Table Island, an abundant escape. 
Table Island, a weed in the clearing, 
still rare. 
There is a Plantain-garden attached to 
the lighthouse on Table Island. No 
Plantains are left on Great Coco, doubt¬ 
less owing to the cattle. These ani¬ 
mals eat not only coco-nut leaves but 
also the leaves of Pandanus odoratis- 
simus, so that one is surprised to find 
that they have left anything in the 
garden at all. Except for the cattle (and 
perhaps the pigs, which might grout up 
the stocks) there is no reason why the 
Plantain should not thrive if left to 
itself. In Narcondam there is a grove 
of Plantains, introduced (by Col. Tyt- 
ler ?), in excellent health. 
Common in all three islands but deserv¬ 
ing neither to be deemed indigenous 
nor to be considered a species intro¬ 
duced by the sea. The question whe¬ 
ther its presence is due to some old 
attempt at settlement or to the ship¬ 
wreck of some coco-nut laden craft is 
discussed more fully below. 
Both islands, only in the clearings. 
Both islands, only in the cleai’ings. 
181 
