20 JOURNAL, BOMBAY NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY, 1892- 
The northern side of the island is low, the centre gently undulat- 
^'ing and the south side one continuous sandy plain, with large 
detached masses of coral-rock scattered over it. The little valleys 
“ formed by these clumps, of various figures, are under cultivation 
‘‘and produce, amongst other things, a plant not unlike our rhubarb, 
“ of a most acrid, pungent taste. It is reared as we do Jerusalem arti- 
“ chokes, set in rows, and covered with a manure of decayed vegeta- 
“ tion. They have also the Sweet-potato, but of such an inferior 
“growth that we can scarcely recognise in it the root we meet in 
‘‘ India, A small quantity of rice is grown in the rainy season; not 
' ‘ more than 15 or 20 days’ consumption. The rhubarb-looking plant 
“ appears to prefer a damp moist soil, for on the more elevated parts 
“ of the island there was none to be seen.” 
“ Of the soil the most elevated is the richest. In the valleys the 
“ coarse sand which forms the lower stratum is but scantily covered 
“ with a thin coating of vegetable matter; sterile in many places, 
“and presenting a similar appearance to a field on which a compost 
“of lime has been partially thrown; but at the higher parts of the 
“ island, where the cocoanut palm has flourished for ages, a deep 
“soil is already formed, which every succeeding season must 
“increase and render more fertile.” 
“ There are many wells on the island, and one small tank, but 
good fresh water is to be had all over Anderut by digging to a 
“ moderate depth. Firewood is rather a scarce article, but where 
“ the cocoanut forms the chief article of food this matters little.” 
“In my ramble over the island I found the Plantain, Orange, 
“ Papaw and Lime-trees, Betel-nut, and two' species of Ootton-tree, 
“besides a fine stately-looking tree, with dark green foliage, not 
“unlike the broad-leafed Elm; this tree yields fruit, but as it was 
“ not then in season I know not its nature. The Cocoanut, Plantain 
“ and Papaw are the only cultivated fruits; the others are growiug in 
“ a wild state, and the Betel-nut excepted, occupy but little atten- 
“ tion. Although you meet with nothing amongst the trees which 
“you can term brushwood, there are plenty of creepers and coarse 
“grass.” 
Dr. Alcock, who has likewise visited Anderut says, “there is no 
“ true jungle, the island being covered with cojcoanut palms, with 
S-20 
