X. 
 
 
 
 i 
 
 
 • < 
 
 
1 
 
 BOTANY. 
 
 By Is. Bayley Balfour. 
 
 Inteoductory Eemaeks. 
 
 When in 1691 Leguat sighted the island of Rodriguez his eyes fell on mountains 
 “ richly spread with great and tall trees,” over which flowed streams with hanks 
 “ adorned with forests,” and altogether the scene was such as to call forth from hmi 
 the designations of “a lovely isle,”‘‘an earthly paradise,”‘‘a little Eden.” He 
 speaks of it thus (New Voyage to the East Indies, p. 248);—“ ’Tis, as I have hinted, 
 composed of lovely hills, covered all with fine trees, whose perpetual verdure is 
 “ entirely charming;” and “ between these great and tall trees one may walk at 
 “ ease and find such refreshing coolness in their shade at noon, so sweet, so healthy, 
 that ’twould give life to those that are dying. Their spreading and tufty tops, 
 which are almost all of an equal height, joyn together like so many canopys 
 “ and umhrellos, and jointly make a ceiling of an eternal verdure, supported hy 
 “ natural pillars which raise and nourish them.” Such is his picture of the aspect 
 of the vegetation of Rodriguez. Is such its character now ? No. The great and 
 tall trees have now almost entirely disapjoeared, the eternally verdant canopy formed 
 by their houghs no longer exists, and the “ little Eden ” is now a dry and com¬ 
 paratively barren spot, clothed with a vegetation mainly of social weeds, and 
 destitute of any forest growth save in unfrequented and more inaccessible parts in 
 the recesses of the valleys; and, we may ask, what has wrought this change ? 
 
 VTe find in the history of the vegetation of Rodriguez a case similar to that of 
 St. Helena. The same causes which destroyed the peculiar and most interesting 
 Flora of that fertile island have operated, and I regret to say still operate, in Rodriguez, 
 and have effectually changed the face of the island. 
 
 Goats, introduced long ago, are now found in enormous numbers, eating the 
 young shoots and leaves of any herb, shrub, or tree within their reach; and now 
 too several thousand head of cattle graze on the island, and effectually keep down 
 the vegetation of the spots they frequent. Fires have occurred with great frequency, 
 and every now and then at present sweep across parts of the island, destroying 
 everything within reach. And then there are introduced foreign plants. These 
 are now in great abundance, and in many cases completely occupy the ground to 
 the exclusion of the native vegetation, which is driven to the secluded parts of 
 the island. Perhaps one of the best instances of their power in this respect is 
 found in the case of “ BAcacie ” {Bticcdua glauca). This plant, introduced about 
 30 years ago, is now found covering the ground for acres, forming so dense a scrub 
 21. A 
 
2 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 that it is impossible to penetrate it, and beneath which nothing will grow. 
 Originally planted in the valley near Port Mathurin, it is now found in almost every 
 valley in the island, spreading from the hanks of the streams np the sides of the 
 valley. It owes its spreading in a great measure to the cattle and goats, which 
 are exceedingly fond of the leaves and pods, and thus the seeds are carried about. 
 Pinally, a certain amount of destructive influence is attributable to the settlers in¬ 
 discriminately cutting down the trees over large tracts. This, however, has now 
 received a check, as the cutting of timber is forbidden by law. These agencies, then, 
 have directly effected the destruction of a great part of the vegetation of the island, 
 so that over large areas hardly a tree or shrub is seen, and the ground is covered 
 by only a scanty clothing of grass and tropical weeds. 
 
 But fires and the hand of man, through the alteration in the climate consequent 
 on their destruction of the forests, have effected indirectly a more permanent injury 
 on the Flora; for now we have a hare, parched volcanic pile, with deep stream- 
 courses for the most part dry, in place of the verdant well-watered island of 200 
 years ago. 
 
 Can we wonder, then, that we find but a remnant of what we may consider the 
 old vegetation still extant in Bodriguez ? That the island had originally a rich 
 Flora there can he little doubt, judging from its position and from analogy with the 
 sister islands. Unfortunately Leguat, from whose account we derive all our early 
 information regarding the island, does not enter in any great detail into the native 
 plants of the island at the time of his visit, occupying himself more with those 
 which he and his companions found useful, and with those they introduced into the 
 island, and we thus have really no record of the exact nature of the primitive 
 luxuriant vegetation. He only mentions 10 plants as found on the island, and 
 these, though often rather curtly described, I have been able to identify in every 
 instance save one, at least generically. The following is the list of plants he men¬ 
 tions, and alongside of each is placed the name of the plant with which I believe 
 they can be identified :— 
 
 JPortulaca oleracea. 
 
 Elceoclendron orientale. 
 Clerodendvon laciniatum. 
 Capsicum frutescens. 
 
 Diospyros diversifolia. 
 
 Latania Verschaffeltii. 
 Dictyosperma alha var. aurea, 
 Hyopliorhe Verschaffeltii. 
 JPandaniis. 
 
 Ficus.) 
 
 Flower white as a lily and like a jessamine. 
 
 Purslain 
 
 Tree with fruit like olive 
 
 Nasty Tree - 
 
 Pepper 
 
 Ebony 
 
 Plantane 
 
 Palm Tree - 
 
 Pavilion 
 Podrigo Kesta 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 3 
 
 1 know of no plant on the island which answers the description of the one last 
 mentioned, which rims as follows:—“There’s a certain admirable flower in this 
 “ island which I should prefer to Spanish jessamine, ’tis as white as a lily and 
 “ shaped some think like common jessamine. It grows jimdicnlarly out of the trunks 
 “ of rotten trees, when they are almost reduced to the substance of mould. The 
 “ odour of this flower strikes one agreeably at a hundred jiBces distance.” 
 
 I can only suppose it to he some species of Orchid. The comparative absence of 
 Orchids, as I shall show, is a notable feature on the island, and it is probable that 
 Legnat refers to a species noiv passed away. 
 
 The vegetation of Hodrignez at the present time is thus very different from what 
 it was at a comparatively recent period, and a very potent influence in altering its 
 character has been cultivation. The island, thou 2 rh an outlier of the Mascarene 
 group, at a great distance from the other members, and, as it were, out of the way, 
 has seen many changes in tl\is respect. Legnat gives a curious account of the 
 cultivation of the soil by himself and his companions, oaid of the plants they grew. 
 He says they sowed Water-melons, Ordinary Melons, Succory, Wheat, Artichokes, 
 Purslaiu, Turnips, Mustard, Gillyflower, Clover-grass. Some of these seem to have 
 thriven, Imt others did not, and it is curious to read of the wheat, Of three grains 
 “ of wheat that came up, wc could preserve hut one plant; it had above 200 ears? 
 “ and wc were full of ho])es that it would come to something, hut it produced 
 “ only a sort of tares, which very much troubled us as you may imagine. IIow- 
 ever, we should not from hence conclude that wheat corn will always turn to 
 tares here, since in Europe such like degenerations are often to he met with.” 
 Ilis observation rather militates against the plant being true Wheat,—more probably 
 Millet. Some of these plants are now cultivated or occur spontaneously on the 
 island. When the island was in the possession of the Erench many settlers lived 
 and cultivated large estates, hut witli the liberation of the slaves cultivation de¬ 
 creased in amount. It thus happens that at the present day only a relatively 
 small acreage of land is cultivated. The staple of the cultivation now is the Patate, 
 or Sweet Potato, which is grown very widely, and in almost equal quantity is 
 the Manioc, whilst of other roots Yams are chiefly grown. Of the cereals fair 
 crops of Maize and Millet are obtained, and Pice also grows very well, hut is not 
 cultivated in quantity sufficient for the use of the inhabitants. Wheat formerly 
 largely sown is now seldom seen, and this mainly because of the jmrroquets and J ava 
 sparrows which abound. Beans {Vhaseohis lunalus)^ Lentils {Ervum lois)^ Gram 
 {Cicer arietinum), Dholl {Cajamis IncUcus), Pistache {Arachis hypogea) are all 
 grown to a certain extent, though the rats arc great enemies. Of other vege¬ 
 tables Garlic [Allium sat it um), Givomxio'ii {Cucurhita Fepo),^l.ViY^o^c [Momordlca 
 halsamina), Melon d’eaii {Ctlrullns vulgaris), Oignon {Allium Cepa), Papingaye 
 {Loffa aciitangula), and Patolc {Trichosanthes anguina) are the most common. 
 
 A 2 “h- 
 
 21. 
 
4 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Ginger, Safran (Turmeric), and Arrowroot are also cultivated. Of economic plants 
 Coffee lias formerly been largely grown, but now is never cultivated, as the hurri¬ 
 canes so frequently destroy the crops. Pair-sized trees, the remnant of old plan¬ 
 tations, are now found fruiting freely. Vanilla grows well, and is tried in some 
 spots. The want of water is now a great difficulty in the way of manijmlating the 
 Sugar-cane, which is therefore not much grown. Pormerly Indigo plantations 
 covered some of the central portions of the island, hut now its cultivation has 
 ceased. 
 
 That the soil of the island is good, and that water was formerly abundant, the 
 fact of so many plants being cultivated clearly proves; hut at the same time their 
 cultivation must have acted very prejudicially on the indigenous vegetation. 
 
 Prom all these causes then indigenous plants have suffered, and the aspect of 
 the vegetation now is a very peculiar one. 
 
 The elevation in the island is not sufficient to render possible any marked 
 difference betwixt the vegetation of the higher and of the lower parts, and the 
 relative amount of moisture is about the same in the two regions, as the hill-tops 
 are seldom enveloped in mists. But we do find some plants which only occur in 
 the upper parts, while others are found only on the lower districts or on the shore. 
 Although altitude does not much affect the vegetation, difference of soil does so 
 to a great extent. In most places the soil is volcanic, hut there are many wide 
 expanses of upraised coral reef forming a limestone soil, and, as we might expect, 
 there are very marked differences between the vegetation on them. 
 
 Commencing at the shore we find first of all that we have representatives of a 
 Phaenogamic Plora below high-water mark in two species of Haloj^hila, ahnndant 
 on the reefs, and which are also found in many other tropical islands; but w^e 
 miss the Mangrove which is found in Mauritius. At the mouth of some of the 
 rivers Muppict marititna and Zannicliellict palustris occur. The shore at high-water 
 mark is freely strewn with Sesuvium portulacastrmn, while Ipomcea pes-caprcc, 
 Canavalia ohtusifoUa, and Zoysia pungens, are found carpeting sandy flats. Of 
 other shore plants Fsiadia Coronopus is sparingly found, and so is Tliyllantlms 
 dimietosus, both only on the south side of the island, whilst Clitoria Ternatea, 
 Teramnus lahialis, Boerhaavia diffusa, and AchymntJies aspera are also found 
 abundantly on the shore. Of trees Sibiscus tiliaceus forms dense thickets close to 
 the sea, and with it Tliespesia popiulnea and Bisonia viscosa are also found. Where 
 coralline limestone exists on the shores and on the coral islets on the reef such 
 plants, as Suriana marltima, Bemphis acidida, Oldenlandla Sieberl, Tournefortla 
 argentea, Ipomcea fragrans, I. leucantha, I. nil, Lycium ienue, and Myoporum 
 mauritianum, specially occur. 
 
 As we pass inland we meet in the valleys at the emhouchurcs of the rivers 
 with the following plants, CardiospcTmum mlcvocarpum, CcBsaJpinia Bonducella, 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 5 
 
 I*]iysalis peruviana, Datura alba, Dicunus communis, Dnjthrina indica, Carica 
 Dapaija, and Coix Lachryma, in abundance; and, on continuing up the rivers, 
 Nasturtium officinale, Rerpestis Monnieria, Alocasia macrorhiza, Colocasia anti¬ 
 quorum, Char a Commersoni, and such Alyce as species of Dalrachospermum, Cla- 
 dophora, and Conferva are found in their -waters. The l:)anks of the streams in 
 most valleys are covered, especially in the lo-wer parts, for about t-wenty yards on 
 each side of the stream by a dense thicket of Leuccena glauca, giving place in 
 the upper parts in many valleys to Eugenia Jambos, and close to the stream may 
 he found Oxalis corymbosa, Ilydrocotyle bonariensis. Salvia coccinea, Dlantago 
 major, and Mumex crispus. On moist rocks at the tops of valleys Lobelia vagans 
 and Eilea Balfouri are abundant, and many Mosses and Algce are to be found 
 coating the rocks along with Ilepaticce and Tricliomanes cuspidatum. 
 
 The undergrowth is very rank in many places, and the plants which most 
 commonly contribute to its formation are such as Malvastrum tricuspidatum, Sida 
 carpinifolia, Abutilon indicnm, Urena lobata, Gossypium barbadense, Melochia 
 pyramidata, Corclwrus trilocularis, Triumfetta glandulosa, Oxalis corniculata, 
 Crotalaria retusa, Atylosia scaraboeoides, Rhynchosia minima, Riibus roscefolius, 
 Ageratum conyzoides. Vinca rosea, Trichodesma zeylanicum, StachytarpJieta indica, 
 Achyranthes aspera, Cassytha filiformis, Commelyna communis, Nephrolepis acuta, 
 and species of Cyperacece and Graminece. Kocks and stones are everywhere covered 
 with Lichens, chiefly species of Lecanora, Lecidea, and Rertusaria. 
 
 On the slopes of the valley are found occasionally such plants as Toddalia 
 aculeata, Gouania retinaria, Scutia Commersoni, Indigofera argentea, Tephrosia 
 purpurea, Canavalia ensiformis, Daucus Carota, Danais corymbosa, Eupatoriiiin 
 cannabinum, Rlumbago zeylanica, Tanulepis sphenophylla, lleliotropium indicum, 
 Solanum sanctum, Barleria Brionitis, Agave americana, Fourcroya gigantea, and 
 Aloe lomatophylloides. 
 
 The commonest tree intermixed with these is Bandanus heterocarpus, and on the 
 higher parts of the island P. tenuifolius; but the following trees and shrubs are also 
 very common: Bittosporum Senacia, Qiiivisia laciniata, Etceodcndron orientate, 
 Albizzia Lebbek, Terminalia Benzoin, T. Catappa, Fcxtidia mauritiana, Mathurina 
 pendulijlora, Fernelia buxifolia, Byrostria trilocularis, Scyphochlamys revoluta, 
 Carissa Xylopicron, Ardisia sp., Olea lancea, Securinega durissima. Ficus rubra, 
 F. consimilis, Dracoena refcxa, Dodoncea viscosa, Eugenia unifoi a, E. cot ini folia, 
 Bunica Granatum, and Bhyllanthus Casticum. 
 
 Confined to limited areas in unfreij^uented spots a few plants such as the 
 following are found: Aphloia mauritiana, var. theceformis, Dombeya ferruginea 
 D. acutangula, Zanthoxylum paniculatum, Allophylus Cobbe, Sclerocarya castanea, 
 Eugenia Balfouri, Randia heterophylla, Bsychotria lanceolata, Bsiadia lodi igue- 
 ttiana, Sideroxylon spi., Buddleia madagascariensis, Eypoestes i od) iguesiana, Obetia 
 
 
 B -K 
 
 21. 
 
6 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 ficifolia, Feperomia Bodrigiiezi, P. 
 
 liirta.^ Viscum t(xnioides, Oheronia hrevifolia^ 
 
 and Bulhopliyllimi incurvim. 
 
 
 In the vicinity of habitations 
 
 or old plantations we usually meet with such 
 
 plants as : 
 
 
 Anona muncata. 
 
 Barthenium Hysterophorus. 
 
 A rgemone mexican a. 
 
 Siegesheckia orientalis. 
 
 Brassica jimcea. 
 
 Bidens pilosa. 
 
 Gynandropsis p)entap1iylla. 
 
 Lobelia Cliffortiana. 
 
 Hot in ga p terygosperma . 
 
 Ipomcea Batatas. 
 
 JEriodendron anfractuosum. 
 
 Lycopersicum Galeni. 
 
 Tripliasla trifoliata. 
 
 Solanum Melongena. 
 
 Citrus decumana. 
 
 Nicotiana Tabacum. 
 
 Indigofera tinctoria. 
 
 Ilirabilis Jalapa. 
 
 Ahrus precatorius. 
 
 Leonurus sibiricus. 
 
 Ilcematoxy Ion Ccmipechiamim . 
 
 Amaranthus tristis. 
 
 Boinciana regia. 
 
 Ch enopodium ambrosioides. 
 
 Bhaseolus lunatus. 
 
 Basella rubra. 
 
 Cajanus indicus. 
 
 Bersea gratissima. 
 
 Acacia Farnesiana. 
 
 Tetrantliera laurifolia. 
 
 Brunus communis. 
 
 Eup)]iorbia peploides. 
 
 Bugenia Janiholana. 
 
 Bliylla n thus Nirnri. 
 
 Lagenaria vulgaris. 
 
 Maniliot u tilissima. 
 
 Momordica halsamina. 
 
 Ilusa paradisiaca. 
 
 Citrullus vulgaris. 
 
 Ba ven a la m a dagascariensis. 
 
 Opuntia Tuna. 
 
 Bioscorea alata ? 
 
 Coffea arahica. 
 
 
 On looking at the vegetation as 
 
 it now clothes the island, one perceives at once 
 
 that a line may he drawn aeross the island which will separate portions very different 
 in aspect. Tims starting from the mouth of the Hivi^re Saumatre, and passing up 
 to the head of the valley, thence striking somewhat south-Avest to a point on the 
 opposite side of the island about the mouth of Eiviere Coco, we have on the east a 
 lofty district intersected hy many deep raAunes, the slopes coming somewhat abruptly 
 down to the sea. The sides of the hills are in this region covered with a thick 
 undergrowth and scrub, often in great part of Ferns, and dotted over them are a fair 
 number of small shrubs and trees, notably abundance of Screw-pines. The valleys 
 themselves in their upper parts are here filled with a tolerably dense growth of trees 
 and shrubs. To the Avest of the line stretches a hilly country of lower altitude, 
 sloping gradually to the south-west, cut by ravines, which are not so deep and whose 
 sides are not so steep as those on the east. The higher land on this side is covered 
 with a great number of small stones and debris of volcanic rocks, and is quite barren 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUE. 
 
 7 
 
 of any trees or shrubs, save perhaps a stray stunted Vacoa, Palmiste, Latanier, or 
 Citron, and the ground is over wide areas coated by hut a scant covering of Cype- 
 Tace<B and Grasses mixed with social weeds ; whilst the valleys are as a rule quite 
 destitute throughout of a covering of tree or shrub, except it may he a few 
 stragglers at the margins of the streams. As we pass south-west, however, we 
 come, on the hanks of the Pivi^re Quitorze, to an abrupt line of demarcation 
 betwixt this bare district and one on which vegetation is relatively more abundant 
 and varied. Crossing the line we enter on an extensive coralline limestone plain 
 occupying the whole south-west end from Anse Peril to Anse Topaze. This is 
 covered with a poor vegetation, but one that is very characteristic, such herbs 
 
 abounding as Tridax procumbens, Idremna serratifolia, Senecio linearis, Sarcos- 
 
 0 
 
 lemma viminale, Cassytha jiliformis, Ipomcea leucantha, and BoerJiaavia diffusa; 
 whilst of trees and shrubs Ludia sessilijiora, Terminalia Benzoin, and Antirrlioea 
 frangulacea, are specially abundant, and more rarely Gastonia cutispongia; and 
 sparingly such herbs as Nesogenes decumhens, Bicliondra, repens, Hypoestes incon- 
 spicua, and Selaginella Balfouri, occur. On the north-west where none of this 
 coralline limestone is found and the volcanic rock passes directly into the sea the 
 barrenness continues. 
 
 The difference in landscape offered by the two regions, eastern and western, 
 of the island are very striking, and the abruptness of the line of demarcation is 
 very remarkable. On sailing round from Port Mathurin to the Anse Topaze, as 
 we did in going to the caverns where the bones of Solitaire are found, we had 
 occasion frequently to observe this. In the valley of P.ivi6re Saumatre the features 
 are very well marked, for on one side the valley is thickly covered with vegetation, 
 whilst the opposite side is quite barren. The difference is no doubt due to the 
 fires, lighted to clear portions of land for cultivation without due care being taken 
 to prevent their spreading and fanned l^y the prevailing south-east wind, sweeping 
 across the south and north-west of the island more especially ; they have thus 
 converted the paradise into a wilderness. 
 
 When we come to consider more closely the Plora of Podriguez we find that it 
 is composed of 470 species and varieties, belonging to 293 genera included in 85 
 natural orders. This then is a proportion of about 5^ species to each family, and 
 hardly 2 species to each genus. 
 
 This ratio is, however, brought about by the comparatively large number of 
 Cryptogams, for the 470 species comprise no less than 173 Cryptogams. There are 
 therefore 297 Phrenogams. Speaking of the Plora we shall deal separately with 
 
 the two divisions. 
 
 Of Phrenogamic plants then we have 297 species belonging to 214 genera 
 included in 75 natural orders. An analysis of these shows us the extraordinary fact 
 that 108 species or over one-third arc introduced plants, in many cases relics of 
 former or escapes from present cultivation. These I have thought it well to retain 
 
 B 2 
 
8 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 iu the list and record as having been found on the island however sparsely, as at 
 some future period any one of them may occupy a more prominent position in the 
 Elora. In taking cognizance, however, of the extent of the Elora at present they 
 must he expunged. Erom the total number we must also subtract 14 species which 
 are not finally determinable, owing to imperfect specimens having been obtained. 
 And here I may state that from the same cause, in some cases, the determination of 
 species has been very difficult and can only be considered provisional, for our visit 
 to the island happened unfortunately at a time of year when few plants were in 
 flower, and it was just when we were leaving the island that plants were coming 
 into bloom. In all eases of difficulty, however, I have indicated it under the specific 
 name. Of the 14 species I here allude to some most probably are endemic plants 
 whilst others are perhaps widely spread. The following is a list of them so far as 
 can be determined. 
 
 Desmodkim, sp. 
 Muctma, sp. 
 Eugenia, sp. 
 
 Ole a, sp. 
 Ardisia, sp. 
 Sideroxyloyi, sp. 
 
 Asclepiads, 2 sy). 
 Stachys, sp. 
 Asparagus, 2 sp. 
 Angrcecum, sp. 
 Cyperus, sp. 
 
 B ambus a, sp. 
 
 This leaves 175 Phienogams belonging to 119 genera and 57 orders which we 
 consider the indigenous Elora, though even some of the plants in this number may 
 have to be excluded. We have thus a ratio of about 3 species to each order and 
 about 2 to each genus,—a very small proportion. Of the total number. Monocoty¬ 
 ledons constitute 49 or about two-sevenths, a comparatively large proportion for a 
 tropical island. Endemic species number 35 or one-fifth of the whole, 6 of them 
 being Monocotyledons; 31 species or about two-elevenths are peculiarly Mascarene, 
 of which number one-fifth are Monocotyledons; and of the rest, 8 species or more 
 than one-twentieth are African plants wffiich do not occur in Asia, whilst 14 species 
 or nearly one-twelfth are found in Asia, but do not reach Africa. The remaining 
 88 species comprise a certain number which are widely spread iu the tropics of the 
 old world, 22 species in all or one-eighth of the Elora being of this nature, whilst 
 G6 species or three-eighths are universal tropical weeds. Thus half the indigenous 
 Phfenogamic vegetation consists of common weeds of the tropics. 
 
 Amongst indigenous Dicotyledons the prevailing orders are, Graminece, repre¬ 
 sented by 21 species ; Leguminosce, by 14 species ; Convolvulacece, 11; Malvacece, 
 9; Buhiacece, Cyperacece, and Euphorhiacece, each 8; Liliacece, 6; Compositce and 
 Amaranthacece, each 5. These, it will be observed, are all orders which as a rule 
 compose a great part of the vegetation of any tropical island reached by civilization; 
 but the number of Buhiacece is specially worthy of attention, more especially when 
 compared with the number of Compositce. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 9 
 
 Graminece constitutes then tbree-seventlis of the whole indigenous Monocotyle- 
 donSj and about three twenty-fifths of the whole Phsenogams, a fairly large number 
 compared with continental areas,—a usual characteristic of tropical islands. The 
 species call for no special mention ; none are peculiar, though a form of JPamcum is 
 Mascarene. The majority are widely spread, cosmopolitan, or old world species, a 
 few being Asiatic. 
 
 Legiiminosce^ represented by fourteen speeies, forms two-twenty-fifths of the 
 wTiole Plora. It contains as usual a great number of species found along or near 
 the shores, such as Canavcdia ohtusifolia^ and CUtoria Ternatea^ and includes many 
 of the commonest plants. Very few plants of Podriguez besides the endemic ones 
 are absent from Mauritius, hut curiously this family contains three species not found 
 in Mauritius; these are Canavalia ensiformis, Miicuna gigantea, and Hhijnchosia 
 minima. Species of the genera of the tAvo former are found, hut not of the latter. 
 Most of the Podriguez plants of this family are uniyersal in the tropics. 
 
 ConvolvnlacecB is next most numerously represented, chiefly by species of Ipomcea, 
 of which eleven are known. Many of the species are littoral, such as Ipomoea pes- 
 caprm, Ip. leucantlia^ Ip. nil. Ip. fragrans. The three last mentioned do not occur 
 in Mauritius. 
 
 MalvacecB, wfith nine species, includes, with one exception {Ilihiscns UUiflorus), 
 widely spread tropical plants. 
 
 CgperacecB and Amarantliacece call for no special notice, and the other families 
 are noticed in the account of the endemic Plora. 
 
 The endemic Plora consists of 35 species, or one-fifth of the Avhole Phaenogamic 
 plants. Of this number 29 are Dicotyledons, and 6 are Monocotyledons. 
 
 Tlie following is a list of the species :— 
 Zan tlioxylum panicidatum. 
 
 Quivisia laciniata. 
 
 Sclerocarya castanea. 
 
 Eugenia Ealfouri. 
 
 3Iathurma pendidijlora. 
 
 Eanais corymbosa. 
 
 Bandia heteropliylla. 
 
 Diospyros diversifolia. 
 Tanidepis sphenopliylla. 
 Sarcostemma Odontolepis. 
 Eypoesies rodriguesiana. 
 Hypoesies inconsp icua. 
 Nesogenes decumhens. 
 Clerodendron laciniaiimi. 
 
 Tyrosiria trilocularis. 
 Scyphochlamys revolnia. 
 Esyeh oiria Ianceolata. 
 Esiadia Coronopiis. 
 
 Esiadia Todriguesiana. 
 
 Ahroianella rhynchocarpa . 
 Lobelia vagans. 
 
 Eisonia viscosa. 
 
 JEi'iia congesta. 
 
 Eilea Ealfouri. 
 Eeperomia hirta. 
 Eeperomia reiicidata. 
 Eeperomia Eodriguezi. 
 Euphorbia daphnoides. 
 
10 
 
 BOTANY OF KODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Fhyllanthus diimetosiis. Hyophorhe Verschaffelti, 
 
 Listrostacliys Aphrodite. Tandanus heterocarpus. 
 
 Aloe lomatophylloides. JPandamis temiifolius. 
 
 Latania Verschaffelti. 
 
 Of the Dicotyledonous orders in which endemic species oceur Ruhiacece is the 
 most remarkable, presenting the greatest amount of peculiarity. Of the eight 
 species it contains, five are endemic, and they all belong to different genera. One 
 of these, Scyphochlamys, is peeuliar to E/odriguez, and the genera of two others— 
 Vyrostria and Danais —are essentially Masearene, the latter extending into 
 Madagascar. The two remaining species belong to the widely-spread genera 
 Randia and Rsychotria, of which the former is unknown in the other Masearene 
 Islands, but may have a representative there in the nearly allied Gardenia, which 
 is absent from Eodriguez. 
 
 Three species of Riihiacece are peeuliarly Masearene, two belonging to genera of 
 wide range, Antirrhoea and Oldenlandia, but the Mauritian type of the species of 
 Oldenlandia is modified into a distinct variety in Eodriguez ; the thu’d is a species 
 of Fernelia, a Masearene genus. 
 
 This comparative abundance and peculiarity of the Rubiacece is very interesting 
 when compared with similar features seen in other oeeanic islands of like nature ; 
 and it is further interesting to note that in Euphorbiacce we have an order co-exten- 
 sive, though not presenting so great peculiarity. The eight species composing it 
 belong mainly to Rhyllanthus and Euphorbia, of each of which there is a peculiar 
 species. There is also a Masearene species of Rhyllanthus which derives interest 
 as one of the plants collected by Cornmerson, and originally described from his 
 specimens; in addition there is a species of Claoxylon, and one of Securinega, both 
 Masearene. 
 
 Compositce and Riperacece are equally numerously represented by peculiar species, 
 each containing three. In the first-named order, of which five species in all occur, 
 the endemic plants belong to two genera. Rsiadia, a Masearene type of Asterece 
 extending into Africa, but not Asiatic, includes two of the peculiar species. Both 
 are suffruticose, one, Rs. rodriguesiana, growing only on the higher levels, and 
 there sparingly, has the velutinous character so well developed in many of the 
 Bourbon species, the other, Rs. Coronopus is glutinous, occurring only on the shores 
 in small quantity, and is interesting as being one of the few plants lu’ought from 
 * Bodriguez by Cornmerson, and originally described as Sarcanthemum Coronopus by 
 Cassini. The third peculiar Composite is a species of Abrotanella, a small genus of 
 Cotidece, ranging through Australia, New Zealand, and some Antarctic islands, and 
 unknown in any other of the Masearene group. A fourth Composite is a Senecio 
 confined to the Masearene Islands, very variable in its character, and the remaining 
 one is the world wide Sonchus oleraceus. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 11 
 
 In tlie Fiperacece we have three peculiar species of JPeperomia with a strong 
 East Indian affinity. 
 
 AsclepiadacecE, Acanthaceoi, and Verhenacece each contain two endemic plants. 
 The Asclepiadaceous Sarcostemma comprises two species, of which one is a novelty, 
 and there is a climber, common on the island, the type of a new genus Tamilepis 
 closely allied to the East Indian 'Bracliylepis. The two peculiar Acanthads are 
 species of Hypoestes, and in Verhenacece one of the novelties is a species of the 
 hitherto monotypic Nesogenes, a genus confined to a few of the Polynesian Islands, 
 whilst the other is a species of the common tropical Clerodendron. 
 
 Of other Dicotyledonous orders none contain more than one pecuHar species. 
 Anacardiacece has a single species of the African genus Sclerocarya, which differs, 
 however, very considerably from the generic type. Of three Myrtacece one species 
 of JEiigenia is endemic, whilst another is mainly Mascarene, though occurring else¬ 
 where in the tropics, and the third is the Mascarene FoBtidia mauritiana. 
 
 I shall only specially mention another order, Tiirneracece, of which one generi- 
 cally peculiar plant is found, 3Iat1mrina pendiilijlora, whose nearest congener is a 
 central American genus Frhlichia, and it is worthy of note that this family has 
 hitherto been unknown in the Mascarene Islands. The remaining families with 
 endemic species are Futacece, Meliacece, Campanulacece, Ehenacece, Nyctag'macece, 
 AniarantliacecB, and JJrticacece. 
 
 Looking next at the 6 peculiar Monocotyledons we find that they are included 
 in 5 genera belonging to 4 orders. The Monocotyledons from this island are 
 specially interesting, as they include those plants which give a character to the 
 \egetation. Every visitor to Eodriguez will be struck at once by the peculiar 
 features impressed on the landscape by the prevalence of the Screw-pines. They 
 are indeed the physiognomic plants, and far outstrip in numbers any other species; 
 hut it is remarkable that though individually so numerous, specifically the family 
 is not rich, there being only two species of Fandanus on the island, P. lieterocarpus 
 and P. tenuifolins, both peculiar and very distinct from any other of the indigenous 
 Mascarene forms. Three other species have been registered by various authorities, 
 they are P. odoratissimus, P. ntilis, and P. muricaUis. None of these are 
 Mauritian or Bourbon species, the first being a native of Asia and the two latter 
 both Madagascar species, and the evidence of their occurrence in Bodriguez is 
 faulty. 
 
 Next in interest amongst the Monocotyledons come the Palms, and they are very 
 peculiar. We find three species indigenous, and these belong to different genera 
 which arc all Mascarene. They are Latcmia Verschafeltl, Hyophorhe Verschaf- 
 felti, and Dictyosperma cdhmn, var. aurenm. Latanla Vershaffelti has been for some 
 time known to European nurserymen as Latania anrea, and Hyophorhe Verschaf- 
 
12 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 felti has also been known to horticulturists under the name of Areca VerschaffeltL 
 Each of the genera, Latania and Hyophorhe, includes three species, which present a 
 remarkable correspondence in distribution. 
 
 The Latania Verschaffelti of Eodriguez is represented in Mauritius by L. Com- 
 mersoni, which grows also in Bourbon, and on Bound Island a third species, 
 L. Loddigesi, is found. Of Hyophorhe, the Bodriguez plant H. Verschaffelti, 
 is represented in Mauritius and Bourbon by Hyophorhe indica, and on Bound Island 
 H. amaricaulis occurs. 
 
 The genus Lictyosperma is Mascarene, and has been created by Wendland to 
 include the type of Palm, originally described by Bory St. Vincent (Voy. I. 306) as 
 Areca alha. The Mascarene palms, formerly described as species of Areca, are all 
 removed from that genus, the non-spiny forms now constituting Lictyosperma, and 
 the spiny forms, Areca crinita and A. rubra, combining to make the genus Acantho- 
 phoenix. Lictyosperma is montoy pic, hut the species is very variable, and in 
 Bodriguez assumes a very graceful and delicate habit; the characters, however, are 
 hardly specific, and it is therefore merely a variety. This palm is the well-known 
 Areca aurea of nurserymen. 
 
 Of the other endemic Monocotyledons one is a species of Aloe which is very 
 distinct. Liliacece altogether constitutes one-twenty-ninth of the Flora, and in 
 addition to this peculiar Aloe comprises a Mascarene species of Asparagus. An 
 Asphodeliis which has a tolerably wide range is to he noted as oecurring only on 
 two of the small coral islets on the southern reef, Gombrani and Pierrots, and is 
 absent entirely from the main island. 
 
 A marked feature in the Flora is the jiaucity of Orchidacece. Only four species 
 have been determined ; a fifth, a species of Angrcecum, was found, hut in too im¬ 
 perfect a state for identification. These belong to genera two of which range into 
 Africa and not into Asia, and one is Asian but not Afriean. One species of 
 Listrostachys is peculiar, an Oheronia and a Bulhophyllnm are Mascarene, and a 
 distinct variety of a Mauritian Aeranthus occurs. The dryness of the soil and 
 climate no doubt have to do with the scarcitv of the familv, and also to a larsre 
 extent the destruction of the old forests, as no epiphytic forms now exist. This 
 paucity is the more remarkable when contrasted with the profusion of this family in 
 the sister islands. 
 
 Analysing the relationship of the endemic plants, we find that three genera are 
 endemic, of these one, Mathurina, has a near American affinity, another, Tanulepis, 
 has a close Asiatic connexion, whilst the third, Scyphochkmiys, has its nearest 
 congener peculiarly Mascarene. Five are Mascarene genera,— Quivisia, Lanais, 
 Fyrostria, Latania, and Hyophorhe. In the case of four, Sclerocarya, Lsiadia, 
 Listrostachys, and Aloe, —we have genera of peculiarly African range; and of the 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 13 
 
 rest, Ahrotanella is an Antarctic genus and Nesogenes is Polynesian, the remainder 
 being four old world and tAvelve generally distributed tropical genera. We may 
 tabulate these as follows :— 
 
 J^NDEMIC. 
 
 Mathiirlna. 
 
 Scyhochlamys. 
 
 Tanulepis. 
 
 Antarctic. 
 
 Ahrotanella. 
 
 Mascarene. 
 
 Quivisia. 
 
 Danais. 
 
 JPyrostria. 
 
 Latania. 
 
 Hyophorhe. 
 
 Polynesian. 
 
 Nesogenes. 
 
 African. 
 
 Sclerocarya. 
 
 I^siadia. 
 
 Listrostachys. 
 
 Aloe. 
 
 Old World. 
 
 Sarcostemma. 
 
 Sypoestes. 
 
 Arua. 
 
 JPandanus. 
 
 Cosmopolitan 
 IN Teopics. 
 
 Zanthoxylum. 
 
 Eugenia. 
 
 Randia. 
 
 Esycliotria. 
 
 Lobelia. 
 
 Eiospyros. 
 
 Clerodendron. 
 
 Eisonla. 
 
 Eilea. 
 
 Eeperomia. 
 
 Eupliorhia. 
 
 Fhyllantlms. 
 
 The African affinity of the endemic Flora thus becomes manifest. 
 
 We have stated that 31 species of Phjenogamic plants in the Flora are peculiarly 
 Mascarene, of which 25 are IDicotyledons, and the rest Monocotyledons. They are,— 
 
 Eittosporum Senacia. 
 Aphloia mauritiana. 
 Eibiscus liUiJlo7nis. 
 Lomheya acutangula. 
 Lomheya fei'^'uginea. 
 Toddalia pa^iiculata. 
 El(Bode7uEon orient ale. 
 Gonania retinaria. 
 
 Feet id ia 7n aur it km a. 
 Te^nninalia Benzoin. 
 Gastonia ciitispongia. 
 Oldenlandia Sieheri. 
 Fernelia huxifolia. 
 
 A n tirrh oea fran gu lacea . 
 Senecio Imearis. 
 
 Olea lancea. 
 
 Cajdssa Xylopicron. 
 Buddleia madagascariensis. 
 Solammi macrocarpum. 
 Myoporimi mauritiannm. 
 Ohetia jieifolia. 
 
 Ehyllantkus Casticuni. 
 Secuxmega durissima. 
 Claoxylon pa^'vijloi'um. 
 Viscimi tcenioides. 
 
 Oheronia hrevifolia. 
 Bulhopliyllum mcnrvum. 
 Aeranthns araclmites. 
 Asparagus umhellulatus. 
 Bietyosperma album. 
 Andropogon foUatus. 
 
 Several of these I have already referred to, and I now mention specially the 
 occurrence of the curious Myopiommi maimitianiam, very sparingly found on the 
 island, Avhich differs very markedly from the type of Myoporinece, and is perhaps 
 endemic in Eodriguez, as the evidence of its occuiTence in other Mascarene Islands 
 
 is faulty. 
 
 21 . 
 
 c +- 
 
14 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIOUEZ. 
 
 An analysis of the relationships of these plants shows ns that,— 
 
 Six belong to genera which are essentially Mascarene; these are Aphloiai 
 FoeticUa, Gastonia, Fernelia, Ohetia, and Dictyosperma, and two, Fombeya and 
 AerantJms, are essentially African. Ten of the remainder are old world genera, and 
 the remaining twelve are spread tropical genera, hut curiously one of these. An- 
 tirrhoea, is not African. Here we have evidence of the individuality of the Mas¬ 
 carene Tlora and also of its primary relationship with the African rather than the 
 Indian type. 
 
 Tabulating these we have :— 
 
 Mascarene. 
 
 Aphloia. 
 
 FoetkUa. 
 
 Gastonia. 
 
 Fernelia. 
 
 Ohetia. 
 
 Dictyosperma. 
 
 African. 
 
 Domheya. 
 
 AerantJms. 
 
 Old World. 
 
 Fittosporum. 
 
 Toddalia. 
 
 Olea. 
 
 Carissa. 
 
 Myoporum. 
 
 Glaoxylon. 
 
 Viscimi. 
 
 Oheronia. 
 
 Bidbophyllum. 
 
 Asparagns. 
 
 Cosmopolitan in 
 Tropics. 
 
 Hibiscus. 
 
 Flceodendron. 
 
 Gouania. 
 
 Terminalia. 
 
 Oldenlandia. 
 
 AntirrJma. 
 
 Senecio. 
 
 JBuddleia. 
 
 Solamim. 
 
 FJiyllantlius. 
 
 Securmega. 
 
 Andropogon. 
 
 The connections exhibited by the plants of other countries indigenous in 
 Kodriguez are not very strong. There are a few, eight, species which have 
 sj)ecially an African distribution, and there are fourteen of specially Asiatic range 
 
 which do not reach Africa: that is, more than one-twentieth of the whole Elora 
 have African and nearly one-twelfth Asiatic distribution. 
 
 The African plants are,— 
 
 Ludia sessiliflora. 
 
 Desmodinm mauritianum. 
 Desniodium incanum. 
 
 Sarcostemma viminale. 
 
 The Asiatic and non-African are,— 
 Calop)hyllnm Inoidiyllmn. 
 
 Toddalia aculeata. 
 
 Allophylus Cobbe. 
 
 Erythrma indica. 
 
 Mucuna gigantea. 
 
 Atylosia scaraboeoides. 
 
 Eugenia cotinifolia. 
 
 Lycium tenue. 
 
 Ipomoea fragans. 
 Dracmna rejlexa. 
 Andropogon jlnitinms. 
 
 Ipomoea pelt at a. 
 
 Cassytlia jiliformis. 
 Draccena angustifolia. 
 Carex gracilis. 
 
 Faniciim Ealfouri. 
 Ste7iotaphrum subulatnm. 
 Zoysia pungens. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 15 
 
 It will be observed that the African species are all of a more restricted range 
 than the Asiatic. 
 
 Of the 88 generally distributed troj)ical weeds I need say nothing. They will 
 be seen to be such as one would expect to meet in an island which has passed 
 through such vicissitudes as Hodriguez. 
 
 Of the introduced Phsenogamic plants, 108 in number, of 90 genera included in 
 56 natural orders, the prevailing families are— 
 
 Legnminosce 
 Solanacece - 
 G) 'aminece - 
 Compositce - 
 IlyrtacecB - 
 Convolv lilac ece 
 Cucurbitacece 
 Hiitacem 
 
 15 species 
 
 orders commonly and Avidely distributed, and including those social Aveeds which 
 follow man’s footsteps over the world. I need not further refer to them. 
 
 Besides those Pligenogams I have recorded as occurring on the island, there are 
 a few others reported as existing, but of none of them have I seen authentic speci¬ 
 mens from the island, and as I did not find them there, I do not include them in 
 the list. They are the folloAvung :— 
 
 Achillea, sp. 
 
 Lantana, sp. 
 
 Ficus, sp. 
 
 Fandanus miiricatus. 
 Fandanus odoratissimus. 
 Fandanus utilis. 
 
 In estimating the relationship of the Cryptogamic Plora of Hodriguez, we find 
 more difficulties to encounter from the fact that excepting the Vascular Crypto¬ 
 gams, little comparatively has been done amongst the Cryptogams of the other 
 Mascarene Islands. The lower forms from Hodriguez have, hoAvever, been carefully 
 worked out, and I find that there are now known from the island, 173 species 
 of Cryptogams (this number exeluding marine Thus the Phmuogams and 
 
 the Cryptogams are almost equal in number. 
 
 Of this number, 26 species or about one-seventh are Fillces, Ophioglossacew, and 
 Lycopodiacece. Miisci constitute about tAA^o-elevenths, numbering 33 species, whilst 
 of Hepaticce I have 18 species, and there is one species of Cliara. Lichens are 
 most abundant of all, there being 75 species, or over three-sevenths of the whole 
 Cryptogams; whilst Fungi number 8 species, freshwater Algce 13, and I have only 
 39 species of marine Algce. 
 
 c 2 
 
16 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 In Vascular Cryptogams, the E-odriguez Plora contrasts very unfavourably with 
 that of the other Mascarene Islands. The 25 species known, of wdiich 20 are Perns, 
 is a number relatively and absolutely very small. The scarcity of this group of 
 plants is accounted for by the dryness of the island, and in confirmation of this 
 fact, we observe the Tree Perns of the other Mascarene Islands have here no repre¬ 
 sentatives, and of the large moisture loving genera Trichomanes and IIymenophyllu7n, 
 so abundant elsewhere in the group, the former is here typified in one species only, 
 T. ciispidahim, whilst the latter is absent. And when we consider the nature of 
 the species which do occur, they are those characteristic of dry and arid regions, 
 such for example as Adiaiitum caudatimi^ Aspleniimi furcatum^ Asplenium falcatwn^ 
 Nephrodkmi N. molle-, JPolypodium phy^natodes, Neph''olepis acuta. 
 
 None of the species are novelties ; all occur in the Mascarene Islands, and three 
 of them, Trichomanes cuspidatiwi, Davallia maurltiana^ and Nephrodmm crhiitum^ 
 are peculiarly Mascarene, but most are widely spread tropical species. Whilst 
 some, as Tellcea hastata, JPte^ds Jlahellata, and Nephrodkmi elatum^ are found in 
 Africa, hut not in Asia; on the other hand we have the Asian but not African 
 Aspleiiium hirhmi, and JPolypodium adnascens. Three Perns, Lindsaya acutifoliai 
 another Nephrolepis and another Lash'ea are reported from Eodriguez, hut I have 
 seen no authentic specimens, and as I did not find them myself, I have not included 
 them in my list. 
 
 The Lycopodiacece further exemplify the dry character of the island. Only four 
 species are known. Two are widely spread Lycopodium Thlegmaria and Tsilotum 
 triquetrum^ whilst two species of Selaginella, S. Lalfouri and S. rodriguesiana^ are 
 norelties. 
 
 Mosses may he considered as fairly represented in Eodriguez by 33 species, 
 though this is a small number compared with those found in Mauritius; the number 
 of species in that island, according to the latest enumeration I have seen, being 
 104. Of the 33 species found, 17 are peculiar; and of the remainder, 13 occur 
 in the other Mascarene Islands, or in Africa, a few corresponding with those from 
 the western coast of tropical Africa; and it appears from what little is known of 
 the Mosses of the eastern coast, that some species have an enormous range on the 
 African continent. Two other species are found in Asia, and one, Weisia co 7 itro- 
 vei'sa, is cosmopolitan. 
 
 Of the Eodriguez species all except one belong to genera which are represented 
 in the Mascarene Islands. The genus Lctropothecmm is most abundantly repre¬ 
 sented by four species, and they are perhaps the commonest on the island. It is 
 curious that llypntmi^ which occurs so extensively in the sister islands, should 
 include hut one species in Eodriguez. Of all species, the most interesting is 
 Orthotrichum plicatimi, which is not uncommon on the island, previously known 
 only from the specimens gathered in Bourbon by Du Petit Thouars, and described 
 and well figured by Schwaegrichen; it is undoubtedly a member of the family of 
 
18. BA.YLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 17 
 
 the Ortliotricha^ hut its characters as a genus are, according to Mitten, interme¬ 
 diate, and its position in that family unique. One of the most elegant as it is one of 
 the rarest species is the endemic Macromitrium astroideum, found trailing over 
 boulders at the top of the valley of the E,ivi^re aux Huitres, and along with it is also 
 found 3£. aciculare. Octohlejilieum cdhidum is by no means common, growing in 
 tufts on decayed branches of trees and rich vegetable humus in the same valley, and 
 this is also the only station for Nechera lepuwana and Meteorhmi mvoJutifolmm, 
 and sparingly on trees also occurs Fterogonium curvifolkim. On the moist clay rocks 
 at the sides of the beds of streams in shady places, the various species of Ectropotho- 
 cium are found most abundantly, E. doleare especially forming a thick covering, 
 and this is probably the commonest Moss on the island ; with it also species of 
 Sematop)hyllum, notably S. inciircifoUiim, are commonly found as also Ccdlicostella 
 Icevluscida, Ehacophiluyn ctfricamim, and occasionally species of Fissidens. On 
 moist rocks near the stream sources we find species of Eartramia; Fry urn occurs 
 commonly over the island, and IVelsia and Ccdyperes ai*c also frequently met with. 
 
 The island possesses 18 species of Eepaticce included in 6 genera, and of these 
 13 are novelties. Of the remainder, three, Chiloscyphus ohlonyifoUus, Fndlania 
 squctrrosa, Anthoceros fuciformis, are Mascarene or African, one, Lejeunia minu- 
 tissima^ is found in the Eastern Archipelago, and Anthoceros Icevis is the only 
 cosmopolitan species. Lejeunia is the most extensive genus, embracing seven of the 
 total number of species, and six of these are endemic. Of the species, Lejeunia 
 Ealfouri is one of the commonest, occurring on moist clay rocks at the sides of 
 streams, and in similar situations with it Chilocyphiis oblongifolius and Eadida 
 ajypressa are found, and in great abundance Anthoceros Icevis and A. fuciformis. 
 Lejeunia furva is rare, hut in similar situations. The stems of the Screw-pines are 
 frequently clothed with Frullania squarrosa, Fr. Apicalis, and Fr. ohscurfolia, 
 though they also occur more sparingly on other trees, as does Ehragmicoma 
 carincda. 
 
 One species of Char a is found in many of the rivers, and it also occurs in 
 Mauritius and Bour])on. 
 
 Looking now at the Lichens, we find that of all Cryptogams they occur most 
 abundantly. Altogether, 76 species and varieties were collected in a determinable 
 state. Of these, the large number of 35 or nearly one half are novelties, whilst of 
 the remainder, 11 are known from Mauritius, and 7 or 8 from Bourbon. This large 
 number of Lichens is very remarkable when compared with the number in Mauritius 
 and Bourbon. Eroni the former island, 89 species and varieties are enumerated by 
 ■Weddell (Trans. Boy. Soc. Arts and Scien. Maur. vii. 163) and Nylander (Ann. Sc. 
 Nat. 4th ser. xi. 248) determines 112 species in Bourbon. But I think this relatively 
 large proportion is due rather to our imperfect knowledge of the Lichen Elora 
 of these islands than to their poverty in species as compared with Bodriguez. In 
 addition to the species determined, there are fragments of other species, mainly 
 
18 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 cmstaceous, in my collection whicb. are quite undeterminable, being either sterile 
 or with imperfectly developed apotbecia. 
 
 Of tbe Eodriguez species, all save two belong to genera represented in tbe other 
 Mascarene Islands. Tbe two exceptions are Heppia, of which we have a single 
 endemic species found very sparingly on tbe island, and Fyrenastrum, a single species 
 of this genus, P. Americemum, oecurring very abundantly on the bark of trees. 
 
 Tbe most abundantly represented genus is Lecanora, which includes twenty-one 
 species and varieties, and fourteen of these are peeuliar; and next to it eomes 
 Lecidea^ with nine species, of which six are novelties. Of tbe other genera Rama- 
 lina is most numerously represented, having five speeies and varieties, of whieh two 
 are peeuliar. Arthonia has two peeuliar species, and Cladonia, Ryxine, and 
 Opegrapha have each a single species, whieh is endemic. The searcity of species 
 of Cladonia is curious, as the genus is well developed in the other Mascarene Islands. 
 
 Of the species, one, wliich will at once attract the attention of any who visit the 
 island, is the beautiful TJsnea dasypogioides, only oecurring in the higher parts of 
 the island ; it there hangs heard-like in great abundance from the tree hranehes, and 
 along with it Ramalina suhfraxmea is usually found. Close to these may he seen 
 on the roeks the small tufted Ramalina gracilenta and R. gracilenta f. nodulosa 
 intermingling with white patches of Lecanora atra f. succedanea, with its large 
 hlaek apotbecia. Rarmelia latissima is a not uncommon species in dry spots along 
 with Sticta aurata, and on the boulders Rhyscia speciosa is found in abundance. 
 The stems of the Screw-pines are invariably dotted over with stellate patches of 
 Rhyscia picta, and many species of Verrucaria and Graphis also find thereon a 
 suitable nidus, as well as Lecanora achroa; whilst their withered and dried leaves 
 give a home to Arthonia phylloica and A. dendritella. 
 
 The features imposed on the roeks in many places by certain Lichens is very 
 striking. Where such species as Lecanora ohliquans, L. conizopta, Rertusaria im- 
 pallescens, Lecidea continens, and L. configurans are abundant, one might suppose 
 that the roeks had been whitewashed, this eharaeter being visible at a long distance. 
 Again, on the more decomposed or cindery rocks, Lecanora suhfusca f. piimicicola, 
 L. apostatica, L. cinnabarina, Lecidea spuria^ L. achroopholis, and L. immutans 
 unite to give a dull mottled and variegated aspect to the rocks. 
 
 The stems of other trees besides the Serew-pines are favourite sites for certain 
 speeies, notably we may mention Bois Gandine and Bois Puant; of the former, more 
 especially, the hark is usually quite concealed by lichens, giving it a very white or 
 grey appearance. On it alone Lecanora leucoxantha occurs with its orange apo- 
 thecia, and also i\\Q^\\YQ^Y\n.iQ Rertusaria velata; Lecanora punicea and Coccocarpa 
 molybdeea are found on trees with rough hark, and so is the scarlet Trypethelium 
 cruentulum; whilst on decayed and decortieated wood forms such as Opegrapha 
 difficilior, Lecanora conizoea, and Rannaria rubiginosa grow in profusion. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 19 
 
 Fungi are poorly represented in my collection by 8 species. I found a few 
 more speeies on the island, but in course of transmission to Britain I regret they 
 have disappeared. The family is not however abundant on the island. Of the eight 
 species which have 1)een determined, three turn out to be novelties. One of them, 
 Folypoms aspidolopuSi is perhaps the commonest form on the island, growing 
 abundantly on the stems of trees, but apparently with a preference for Screw-pines. 
 The widely spread Schizophyllum commune and the common British Hirneola 
 Aurictila JudcB OGCUY s,])dbvm^\j oi\ trees in the island; and on the barren ground, 
 towards the south-west, Bovista lilacina grows in considerable quantity. 
 
 The short time devoted to the collection of marine forms accounts for the small¬ 
 ness of the collection of Algce from Bodriguez. Of the 52 species and varieties 
 enumerated, 39 are marine, a number so small that it evidently cannot be considered 
 as a fair representation of the marine Algal Elora. None of them call for special 
 mention, as they are all widely spread in the Indian Ocean and South Seas. The 
 remaining 13 are fresh-water forms. Six of these have a general range throughout 
 Europe, and some of the six are quite cosmopolitan. The rest are more restricted in 
 distribution. Two species only, Thorea violacea and Cladopliora pannosa, are 
 peculiarly Mascarene; Chantransia ccerulesoens is curiously enough a Cayenne 
 species, whilst Conferva Ansoni and C. 3Iolucca(e are each confined to a single 
 island in the Eastern Archipelago, and there is also Cladopliora Bottleri, a re¬ 
 stricted Indian species. In addition to those enumerated in the list, fragments of 
 Vauclieria and Odontidium occur amongst the specimens, but in too imperfect a 
 state for determination. 
 
 The variability of species in the Bodriguez Elora is a very remarkable charac¬ 
 teristic. The number of genera, to species of which it is difiicult to assign a limit, 
 is indeed not very large; but the number of genera, species of which exhibit varia¬ 
 tions in size and form during their stages of growth, and the amount of this 
 variation, is remarkable, and probably is not exceeded in any Elora of similar 
 extent. 
 
 Of the genera whose species vary greatly we find, leaving out Sciitia, Fugenia, 
 Senecio, Lobelia, Acliyranthes, Cyperus, and such like widely distributed genera, 
 which are variable wherever found, and which present their ordinary variations in 
 Bodrio'uez, several genera endemic or of limited extent, such as Apliloia, Banais, 
 Bombeya, Quivisia, Sideroxylon, andPs^cr/M, which in the Mascarene group exhibit 
 great variation in their species. In Bodriguez, where we have so small a Elora, and 
 they are represented by usually a single species, the limit of variation is not wide, 
 and specific characters are fairly precise and easily discerned. In only tlnne 
 genera, Oldenlandia, Bictyosperma, and Aerantlnis, do we find a Mascarene species 
 so altered in Bodriguez as to be recognisal)le as a distinct variety. But in the 
 genus Bandanus we have examples in Bodriguez of exceedingly variable species, 
 and it is necessary to have a very large series of forms before determining specific 
 
20 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 limits. We can recognise that there are two distinct species, but these vary 
 so much, and approach one another so nearly, that of some forms it is almost 
 impossible to say to which species they ought to he referred. The variation 
 occurs in every part of the plant, hut more specially in the fruits. Whether 
 hybridisation has to do with this or not is a matter of dispute, but I am inclined to 
 allow that this is a cause in some instances. 
 
 But the more marked feature of variability in the vegetation, and one deserving 
 great attention, is the diversity in form, size, and habit exhibited in the leaves of 
 many plants at different periods of their growth. The variation is confined almost 
 absolutely to small trees or shrubby plants, the only exception being the small 
 Composite Ahrotanella. In species exhibiting this heteromorphism the young plant 
 produces leaves of, as it were, a lower stage of development than the adult, and as 
 the individual increases in age the leaves successively produced approach more nearly 
 the mature, or as we must consider it, the type form, until at a certain stage of its 
 growth only the typical leaves of the adult are found; and once this stage is reached 
 all the leaves produced on the branches of the tree are of the typical adult form. But 
 should any adventitious shoots develope from the base of the trunk, or appear on 
 the stem anywhere below its first branching, these always have the juvenile and not 
 the adult form of leaf. And, as may be supposed, if a tree be blown or cut down 
 cand from the stumps young shoots develope, those always bear juvenile leaves. An 
 interesting point to determine would be whether shoots arising from a branch so 
 treated would produce juvenile or adult leaves, and to what extent variations in 
 foliage might be so produced. It seems to me there is room here for some 
 interesting observations and experiments which I would press on the attention of 
 those who have opportunity of making such investigation. In the following 
 17 species this heterophylly is extremely marked. 
 
 Ludia sessilijlora. 
 
 Aplilola mauritiana. 
 Hibiscus liliijlorus. 
 Hombei/a ferruginect. 
 
 Quivisia laciniata. 
 Hlccodoidron orientale. 
 Termmalia Jdenzoin. 
 Fcetidia ma uritiana. 
 
 Ilatilurina p)enduliflora . 
 
 Aandia heterophylla. 
 Fernelia huxifolia. 
 Fyrostria trilocularis. 
 ScypJioclilamys revoluta. 
 Ahrotanella rhyncocarpa. 
 Diospyros diversifolia. 
 Carissa Xylopicron, 
 Clerodendron laciniatum. 
 
 In all the heterophylly is not of the same kind or to the same extent, but whilst 
 the heteromorphism of the vegetation of the island as a whole varies greatly both in 
 degree and kind, each species presents variations always of the same kind, and this 
 holds true of a species if it grows also on the sister islands. Whether all the species 
 of one genus in the island exhibit the same kind of variation is a point I had no 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUE. 
 
 21 
 
 opportunity of determining, as in no case did I find two species of one genus liete- 
 ropliyllous ; but it is certain that the representatives in adjacent islands of hetero¬ 
 phyllous species do not when they produce diverse formed leaves always have the 
 same kind of variation. In the Mascarene Islands I only know of two genera 
 possessing representative species wliich exhibit heteromorphism. In one of these, 
 Quivisia, the type of variation is the same in both species; in the other, Cleroderi' 
 dron, it is different. The phenomenon is confined to no special order, though I 
 may note that in four species of 'Ruhiaceoi it is very well marked. Por the sake 
 of clearness I shall consider the kinds of variation observed as of three types. 
 
 1st. Variation dependent on imperfect or arrested development of the whole leaf 
 in the young plant, the lamina developing equally. 
 
 In plants which exhibit this type the leaves of the juveniles are to a certain 
 extent miniatures of the adult. They are very small, but possess the same or 
 almost the same relative j)ropoidion of length of lamina and breadth thereof as 
 is seen in the adult. Tlie lamina is developed equally and is not lobed, and the 
 margin may be entire, but sometimes the parenchyma towards the edge of the 
 lamina is somewhat deficient, and thus, the veins being left prominent, the leaf has 
 a spinose margin. With advance in age of the plant the leaves both increase in 
 absolute and relative size, and also the edges of the lamina fill up in those cases 
 where the margin was spinose, so that the spinoseness disappears. Sometimes, how¬ 
 ever, there is a tendency to the perpetuation of a certain amount of the spinoseness 
 in the adult, especially at the apex of the leaves, which may be hard and sharp 
 pointed. Three of the species have this type of heterophylly,— 
 
 Ludia sessilijiora. 
 
 Fernelia huxifolia. 
 
 Carissa Xylopicron. 
 
 These are all species which in habit somewhat resemble the Box tree {Buxus 
 sempervirens) and their leaves are small and coriaceous. The resemblance between 
 the two latter species, when adult, is very close, but the first and last resemble each 
 other most nearly when young. Fernelia huxifolia has the leaves in the young 
 plant entire and not spiny. In the other two they are spiny. The three are 
 Mascarene species, but I have record of Ludia sessiliflora only as presenting hete¬ 
 rophylly in the sister islands. 
 
 2nd. Variation arising from non-development of the young leaf in one direction, 
 the transverse, usually but not always accompanied by an increase in the other 
 direction, the longitudinal, the lamina developing equally. 
 
 In plants which have variation after this type, and it is the commonest, the 
 young leaves are usually greatly elongated, frequently being tw^o or three times as 
 long as the adult. Thus in Bandia lieteropliylla the young are usually over a foot 
 long, the adult vary from 2^ to 6 inches. ^lore rarely the juvenile leaves are not 
 elongated and may even be shorter than the adult, but it is only in species in which 
 
BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 99 
 
 UiU 
 
 Hie adult leaves are not large and have a firm and coriaceous consistence that this 
 is observed, a curious point when considered along with what I have noted in the 
 first type of variation. But whether the leaves he elongated or short, the relative 
 proportion betwixt the length and breadth of the lamina in the j uvenile is vastly 
 different from what is observed in the adult. The juvenile are usually linear, always 
 very greatly narrowed, often only one-twentieth the breadth of the adult, and the 
 contrast in such a case is, as may be imagined, very striking. Bor example, take 
 Scyphochlamys rev)ohita, the juvenile form is only ^th of an inch in breadth, while 
 the adult averages to 2^ inches. The lamina developes equally at the margins, 
 which are never spiny, and though any crenatures or dentations which characterise 
 the mature form, may be represented, the lamina is never lobed or deeply cleft. 
 As I have said this is the commonest type of variation, occurring in no less than 
 nine, that is, in more than half of the heterophyllous species, these are:— 
 
 Dombeya ferruginea. Hanclia heterophylla. 
 
 Elceodench'on orientale. JPyrostrla trilociilaris. 
 
 Terminalia Benzoin. Scypliochlamys revoluta. 
 
 Feetidia manritiana. Blospyros diversifolia. 
 
 Mathurina pendiilijlora . 
 
 The first four of these are peculiar Mascarene species, the remainder are 
 endemic. Flceodendrou orientale presents the same variations in the sister islands, 
 and judging from a remark of Cavanilles (Diss. III., 121), Dombeya ferruginea is 
 also heteromorphic; I have no information regarding variation in the other two 
 species. Of the endemics, tlie Fyrostria and Diospy^^os are the only two species in 
 whicli the linear juvenile leaves are shorter than or at least do not exceed the 
 adult. Anotlier species Fugenia cotinifolia is probably heterophyllous after this 
 type, but the specimens I found represented differences only to so slight an extent 
 as hardly to warrant my including it in this list. 
 
 3rd. Variation due to unequal development of the lamina in the young leaves. 
 
 In the plants included in this group the young leaves are not much less, may 
 even be greater in absolute size than the adult, and the relative proportion of length 
 to breadth of the lamina is the same, but the lamina developes unequally, so that a 
 lobed or cleft, sometimes very deeply cleft leaf is produced. The lobation gradually 
 disappears in the older leaves, though frequently slight traces of it remain, especially 
 in an emargination of the apex. If the mature form of leaf has a pinnately 
 arranged venation, then the young leaves are of the pinnatifid type ; if the veins 
 are radiate the palmatifid type is seen. The amount of lobation in the juvenile 
 greatly varies, and the primary lobes are sometimes again once or twice cleft. Bour 
 species exhibit this variation,— 
 
 Aphloia numritiana. Quivisia laciniata. 
 
 Ilibiscus liliijlorus. Clerodendron laciniatum. 
 
 Of these Hibiscus liliiflorus has palmatifid young leaves; in all the others they 
 are pinnatifid. The first two are Mascarene species, the others are endemic. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 23 
 
 Aphlola Maurltiana is as variable in Mauritius, and so also probably Hibiscus lilii- 
 jiorus. Quivisia laciniata and Clerodemlron laciniatum are each represented in 
 Mauritius by a heterophyllous species. Eut whilst Quivisia heteropJiylla of 
 Mauritius varies in the same manner as the Eodriguez plant, Clerodendrou lietero- 
 phijllum has the second type of variation developed. 
 
 Ahrotanella rliijncocarpa\vi\'is.y it is heterophyllous, but after a 
 
 different manner. It is a small tufted herf), with very persistent leaves. The 
 young leaves, those at the top of the shoots, are entire and o])lanceolate, but the older 
 leaves below are markedly pinnatifid. We have thus the converse, as it were, of 
 this last type of variation. 
 
 Some species, in addition to the differences in form and size, exhibit variations in 
 habit of the leaves at different periods of their growth. This is most marked in 
 Dombeya ferruginea, of which the young leaves are quite green and glabrous on 
 both sides, but in the adult are clothed on tlie under surface with a dense brown 
 tomentum. The converse is seen in some to a slight extent, thus Clerodendrou 
 laciniatum, Terminalia Benzoin, and Bandia heterophylla have pubescent young 
 leaves, while in the adult the leaves are glabrous. 
 
 As might be expected, when the leaves of young plants are not so perfectly 
 developed as in the adult, they are often of a more firm and rigid consistence. This 
 is specially apparent in species varying according to the first type, in which there is 
 deficiency in parenchymatous tissue, for instance, in Ludia sessilijlora and Carissa 
 Xylopicron; but it is also apparent in plants varying after different types. 
 
 In 17 species then, belonging to as many genera, of 13 natural Orders, the 
 heterophylly exists; and it is a fact of great significance that every * one of them 
 is either endemic or Mascarene only, that is, one fourth of the whole endemic 
 and Mascarene species on the island. Turther, on considering the genera, we find 
 that two of them are endemic, four are Mascarene alone, three extend to Africa, 
 and of the remainder seven are cosmopolitan, and one Polynesian. 
 
 Our information regarding the variability of the plants of Mauritius and Bourbon 
 is too slight to enable us to say whether an equal amount of variation occurs there. 
 But certainly some of the Mascarene species, which vary in Eodriguez, present, as 
 I have already noticed, the same amount and kind of variation in these islands 
 though in other cases the heterophylly may not be to such an extent. So that I 
 think there can be little doubt that the heteromorphisni in foliage is a feature of the 
 whole Mascarene Flora. 
 
 In concluding this subject it is of interest to note that Hibiscus [Parilium) tili- 
 aceiis is not heterophyllous in Eodriguez, thougli it is recorded as such from Africa 
 (Oliv. Flor. Afr. Trop. i., p. 208). A plant of H. tricuspis, a South Sea Islands 
 species growing in the Sabarampore gardens, is described f as having sent up from a 
 
 * I must qualify this. One species, Ludia sessUifiora, passes into Africa, 
 t Bell in Trans. Bot. Soc. Edinb. VII. 565. King in Linn. Soc. Journ. XV. 83. 
 
24i 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 rootiug decumbent branch a plant with entire leaves very different from the parent, 
 and indeed like those of H. tiliaceus. Prof. Thiselton Dyer suggests that S. trU 
 cuspis is an insular form of H. tiliaceus^ which I think is not at all improbable. 
 But it is strange that in Rodriguez, where heteromorphism is so prominent a feature, 
 H. tiliaceus does not exhibit the peculiarity; although I may remark there are two 
 distinct varieties of the tree on the island, which I have noticed under the species. 
 
 Such is the aspect and nature of the vegetation of Rodriguez, and a considera¬ 
 tion of the Elora leads us, I think, to the following conclusions :— 
 
 1. It is a small Elora, and fragmentary. 
 
 2. It is that of a dry rather than of a moist region, as is exemplified in the 
 paucity and nature of some groups, such as Eerns, Orchids, and the abundance of 
 such others as Lichens. 
 
 3. It is an insular Elora, as indicated by— 
 
 a. The relative proportion of species, genera, and orders. 
 h. The almost total absence of indigenous annuals. 
 
 4. Its facies is tropical. 
 
 5. It is essentially Mascarene, though possessing a fair amount of individuality. 
 
 6. It presents affinities with the Eloras of many other parts of the globe. Its 
 strongest relationships are with the African, but it has also very strong Eastern 
 connections, and some close American and Polynesian affinities. 
 
 7. Many species exhibit a great amount of variation, but within certain sharply 
 defined limits. 
 
 Our knowledge of the Elora of all the other Mascarene Islands is as yet too scant 
 to allow us to adjudge the exact extent of the affinities subsisting between the 
 Eloras of the individual islands of the group. But enough may be learned from 
 what I have indicated of the vegetation of this single island to point strongly in the 
 direction of their being fragments of a once more extensive Elora, which has been 
 gradually broken up by geological and climatic changes. How far the geological 
 evidence bears this out is indicated elsewhere. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 25 
 
 The following is a list, in detail, of the plants which compose the Flora :— 
 
 ANONACEiE. 
 
 Anona muricata, Linn.; DC. Drod. i. 84. Nom. vulg. Corosol. 
 
 Cultivated. 
 
 Anona squamosa, Linn.; DC. Drod. i. 85 ; Dot. Mag. t. 3095. Nom. vnlg. Attc. 
 Established, and grows freely in many parts of the island, where well sheltered l)y 
 trees. 
 
 PAP AVERAGES. 
 
 Argemone mexicana, ; DC. Drod.\.\%)\ Dot. Mag. t. 243. Nom. vnlg. 
 Chard on. 
 
 A frequent w^eed near habitations. This plant is much used medicinally by the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 CRUCIFERS. 
 
 Nasturtium ofScinale, D. Dr.; DC. Drod. i. 137; Eng. Dot. t. 125. Nom. vulg. 
 Br5de cressou. 
 
 Grows abundantly in Riviere Pistache. There is some dispute as to whom 
 belongs the credit of introducing this plant into the Mascarene Islands. By some 
 M. de Reine, a captain of infantry, is allowed the honour. He, during his sojourn 
 in Mauritius, having tried ineffectually to obtain seeds from France, on his return 
 to the mother country sent some seed to pere Andre at Pamplemonsses in 
 Mauritius, who successfully grew it. Others consider that Fusee Anblet, author of 
 the Flora of Freacli Guiana, introduced it about 1700. I have no record of its 
 introduction into Rodriguez, but it now grows very abundantly in some of the rivers. 
 
 Brassica juncea, LLook.fil. and Thoms. El. Ind. i. 157. 
 
 Is cultivated, and is an escape in a few places. 
 
 CAPPARIDACEiE. 
 
 Gynandropsis pentaphylla, DC. Drod. i. 238; Cleome pentaphylla. Dot. Mag. 
 t. 1081. Nom. vnlg. Brede caya. 
 
 A few plants found in waste ground near IMathnrin. Is eaten in Mauritius as 
 brede, but is too scarce in Rodriguez. 
 
 moringacea:. 
 
 Moringa pterygosperma, Gdrtn. Eruct. ii. 314, t. 147, f. 2 ; Wt. III. t. 77. Nom. 
 vnlg. Brede monronngne. 
 
 Cultivated at Port-Mathnrin and also on Frigate Island for its leaves, which are 
 
 ' 21 . D 
 
26 
 
 BOTANY OF BODRIGUEZ. 
 
 boiled and eaten like spinach. The pods also, when yonng, are eaten as brede and 
 in curries. Many and various medicinal virtues are ascribed to this plant in 
 Mauritius—laxative, antispasmodic, anthelmintic, antiseptic, &c.—the leaves, bark, 
 and the juice of the root bein" used; but in E/odriguez the plants are few in 
 number, and it is not much employed. 
 
 PITTOSPORACE.®. 
 
 Pittosporum Senacia, JPutterl.; Walp. Rep. i. 250; Senacia undulata, Lam. 
 Nom. vulg. Bois malabar. 
 
 Is a common tree in the vallevs. The wood is white and fine-grained, and is 
 used for making handles for implements. 
 
 BIXACE.®. 
 
 Ludia sessiliflora, ; DC. Rrocl. i. 261. Nom. vulg. Goyave marron. 
 
 This Mascarene plant in Bodriguez is found growing only on the limestone 
 plains of upraised coral reef, and as these only occur at the east and west ends of 
 the island, there only is the plant found. The wood is hard and fine, but brittle, 
 very durable, and is used in making “ pirogues.” Like many others on the island, 
 this tree is heterophyllous. The leaves in young plants and on adventitious shoots 
 of old trees are small, ovate acute, T-T in. long, about across, Avith very 
 
 short petiole, and the margin spinose dentate. The leaves in the adult, on the 
 other hand, are ohovate or elliptical, AAuth a cuncate base, and quite obtuse, some¬ 
 times even retuse, about 2 in. long and an inch broad, with a distinct petiole. 
 Lamarck, Diet. iii. 613, cites this from Mauritius, and specimens are in Kew 
 Herbarium sent by Bouton, AAdiich exhibit the heterophyllous character. Lamarck 
 records also a species L. myrtifolia from Bourbon, but this seems to be merely a form 
 of L. sessiliJlo)Y(, Lam.—the curved style, its only distinction, being of no specific 
 value. L. hetei^ophylla, Lam., another species recorded from Mauritius, is also iden¬ 
 tical with our plant. Clos in xlnn. Sc. Nat. 4th ser. viii. 244, describes a species, 
 L. bivalvis, from Mauritius on specimens in “Herb. Delessert.” It is evidently the 
 plant here mentioned. The genus Ludia then is monotypic, but the species is not 
 confined to the Mascarene Islands, l3ut occurs also at Zanquebar. 
 
 Aphloia mauritiana, var. theseformis. Raker Flor. Maiir. Seycli. 12; Aphloia 
 theceformis, Renn.; Brockia theoeformis, Willd.; DC. Rrod. i. 261; P. serrata, 
 Roir. {non Willd.). Aphloia madagascariensis, var. seychellensis, Clos in Ann. Sc. 
 Nat. 4th ser. viii. 274, seems to be the same. Nom. vulg. Bois d’anemone. 
 
 I follow Baker in reducing to one species the seA^eral forms of this endemic 
 Mascarene genus, and of these forms theceformis alone occurs in Bodriguez, though 
 not very abundantly. It is heterophyllous. The specimens of this tree, however, 
 Avhich I gathered do not exhibit the heterophylly in such a marked degree as do 
 some specimens (in herb. Kew) of the tree from Mauritius, -where the young leaves 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR 
 
 27 
 
 are distinctly pinuatifid, thence they pass through stages of greater or less den¬ 
 tations up to the adult form. Bory de St. Vincent, Voy. t. 2f, gives a figure of 
 a plant under the name of Ludia lieterophylla. Lam. There is a mistake here as to 
 the name, the plant represented being this Aphloia mauritiana^ var. tlieccformis, 
 Baker, and not a Ludia. 
 
 PORTULACEiE. 
 
 Portulaca oleracea, Linn. ; DC. Drod. iii. 353. Nom. vnlg. Pourpier. 
 
 Common in waste ground and specially abundant on the barren ground towards 
 the west of the island about Mount Pourpier, of which the name is probably derived 
 from the plant. Is not infrequently eaten as a hrede or salade. 
 
 It is interesting to read in Leguat’s account of his sojourn in Bodriguez (p. Gl) 
 “ that he did not find in this island any plant, tree, shrub, or herb, which grows 
 “ naturally in any part of Europe, that was known to us, except Purslain, which 
 is small and green. There’s plenty of it in some places of the valleys, and that 
 ‘‘ which we sow’d, having brought some of the seed from the Cape, came up exactly 
 “ like the Purslain of the Island;” and he records how, when a green caterpillar 
 appeared after a hurricane and destroyed the greater part of their crops, the Purslain 
 w^as untouched. 
 
 GUTTIFER^. 
 
 Calopliyllum Inophyllum, Linn.; Dlanch. et Trian. lion. Giittif. 251; JVt. Ic. 
 t. 77. Nom. vulg. Bois tatamaka malgache. 
 
 Only a few trees of this found in the higher parts of the island. Yields a soft 
 gum-resinous wood. 
 
 MALVACE.®. 
 
 Malvastrum tricuspidatum, A. Gray Dl. Wright IG; Malva borbonica, IVilld.; 
 DC. Drod. i. 430. 
 
 A very common plant. 
 
 Sida angastifolia, Lam.; DC. Drod. i. 459. 
 
 This may be merely a variety of S. sjnnosa, Linn.; DC. Drod. i. 460. It was 
 found only at one spot on the island, at the mouth of a valley east of English Bay 
 point. 
 
 Sida carpinifolia, Linn. fit. ; DC. Drod. i. 4G1. Nom. vulg. Ilerbe a paniers. 
 Common everywhere, and assuming very various forms according to its position ; 
 from, a dwarfed and stunted plant, with few and small leaves, to a small, freely 
 branching under-shrub, about 5 feet high, clothed with large leaves. 
 
 Sida cordifolia, Linn. ; DC. Drod. i. 4G4. Nom. vulg. Mauve. 
 
 Common everywliere. This, like the other species of Sida, is often used as a 
 
 demulcent. 
 
 D 2 
 
28 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Abutilon indicum, G. Don Gen. Sijst. i. 504 ; Wt. Ic. t. 12 ; Sicla inclica, Linn.; 
 DC. Drod. i. 471. Nom. vulg. La mauve. 
 
 A very common weed. 
 
 Abutilon graveolens, IV. and A. Drod. i. 56; Hook. Comp. Dot. Mag. t. ii.; 
 Sida graveolens, Roxh.; DC. Drod. i. 473. 
 
 Only a few plants on the shore in Oyster Bay close to habitations. 
 
 Urena lobata, Linn.; DC. Drod. i. 441; Dot. Mag. t. 3043. Nom. vulg. 
 Ilerhe a pauiers. 
 
 A common weed. 
 
 Hibiscus liliiflorus, Car.; DC. Drod. i. 446; H. fragilis, DC. Drod. i. 446; 
 H. Gcnevii, Dojer in Dot. Mag. t. 3144. 
 
 Tliis endemic Mascarene plant is not abundant on the island. It is remarkable 
 from the variation in form of its leaves. On the vounorest trees I met with, the leaves 
 were rounded at the base, deeply tritid, the lobes being linear acuminate. In older 
 specimens the lohation of the leaf gradually disappears, and we have ovate acute 
 leaves. ^Finally, by a gradual transition of forms, we reach the leaves of mature 
 plants, which arc ohovate, obtuse or deeply emarginate, and cuneate at the base. 
 The venation also becomes more distinct in the adult leaves, and they are 
 quintuplinerved. A hybrid from this plant, the male being H. Dosa-sinensis, Linn., 
 is figured, Bot. Mag. t. 2891, from Mauritius, and it seems to possess the variable 
 foliage of one parent; its flowers, though similar to, are much larger than those 
 of Hibiscus liliiflorus. H. Genevii, Boj. Hort. Maur. 28; Bot. Mag. t. 3144, 
 is probably only a form of this plant with more dentate leaves. 
 
 Hibiscus tiliaceus, Linn.; D (7. Proc?. i. 454; Paritium tiliaceum, JVt. Ic.t. 7. 
 Nom. vulg. Vaur or Var. 
 
 Everywhere along the shores. 
 
 Of this plant there are two distinct varieties on the island which are recognised 
 by the inhabitants. Of these (A.) Var hlanc is the more scarce, at least I met with 
 it less frequently. It forms a tree about 25 to 30 feet high, l)ut I am informed also in 
 some places forms a thicket, though I did not meet with it in such condition. The 
 wood is very hard, is heavy and close grained, and makes a good timber, though 
 difficult to work from its hardness. The bark of the trunk and large brandies is thick, 
 quite smooth, and does not split or crack. The bast layers are light-coloured, and 
 make a capital cordage, which is greatly used, as cattle will not gnaw or eat it. The 
 leaves are pilose at the junction of the lamina and petiole, and the veins are 
 puherulous. The calyx lobes are eglandulose. (B.) Var rouge .—This seemed to me 
 the commonest variety, and forms dense tickets, and I do not recollect seeing it as a 
 large tree. The wood is soft, porous, and very light, comparatively useless for 
 carpentry, and only fit for burning. The hark is not so thick as in Var hUmc, is 
 rough, cracking, and splitting after the manner of that of an Oak. The hast 
 layers have a reddish tinge, and do not make so good a cordage as those of Var 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 29 
 
 blanc. The leaves are less coriaceous than those of Var hlanc, and rather velutinous 
 than pilose. The epicalyx seems more deeply cleft, and each lobe of the calyx has 
 a linear median dorsal gland which is very conspicuous. 
 
 The forms are very easily distinguished at first sight hy the hark. In no 
 instance did I find any trace of heteromorphism in the leaves. This is interesting 
 in connexion with an observation made in the Saharunpore gardens hy Bell in 1863 
 (Trans. Bot. Soc. Edin. vii. 565), and again by King in 1868 (Journ. Linn. 
 Soc. XV. 101) on Hibiscus {Paritiut7i) tricuspis, Cav. A lateral branch of this tree 
 curving downv/ards “ entered the soil, and re-appearing about 2 feet from its point 
 of entrance, gave rise to a large leafy bush.” The leaves of this sport, unlike the 
 parent, were not trifid, but like those of H. {Taritiimi) tiliaceus; and in addition to 
 some other peculiarities, the calyx segments had each “ a large oblong gland full of 
 a viscid secretion on the back.” It must therefore approach the 7''ouge of 
 
 Rodriguez. Thiselton Dyer, in a note appended to King’s remarks, suggests that 
 H. h^icuspis, which is a South Sea Island plant, may be a local form derived from 
 H. tiliaceus, and this I think is not at all improbable. It is, liowever, curious that 
 in an island where heterophylly is so marked a character in many of the trees, no 
 trace of it is observable in this species, although a heterophyllous variety is noted 
 by Masters in Oliv. Elor. Afric. Trop. i. 208, as occurring in Africa. 
 
 Thespesia populnea, Co7'7\ ; DC. P7"od. i. 456; TFt. Ic. t. 8; Hibiscus populneus, 
 Lbm. Sp. Dl. 976. Nom. vulg. Mahoe. 
 
 Erequently met with on the shores, specially towards the western end of the island. 
 
 Gossypium herbaceum, Lwm.; DC. D7^od. i. 456; IVt. Ic. tt. 9,10, 11. Nom. 
 vulg. Coton. 
 
 Gossypium barbadense, Liim. DC. D7^od. i. 456; Wt. 111. tt. 28% 28% 28^ Nom. 
 vulg. Coton. 
 
 Both species of Gossypiiwi are widely distributed over the island; G. ba7lade7ise 
 is found most abundantly on He Pierrot, a small coral islet near the edge of the 
 reef on the south side, covering it almost entirely to the exclusion of other plants. 
 I believe it was introduced from an American ship, which was wrecked some years 
 ago on the reef. The cotton produced is of very good quality, but the inhabitants 
 are too lazy to pick it clean and make use of it. 
 
 Eriodendron anfractuosnm, DC. D7'od. i. 479; IVt. Ic. t. 400 ; Dot. 3Iag. t. 3360. 
 Horn. vulg. Ouat. 
 
 A few trees of tliis are found planted about the habitations (now ruins) of the 
 earliest settlers at the top of Soupir valley. 
 
 STERCULIACEiE. 
 
 Dombeya acutangula, Cav. Diss. t. 38, f. 2; DC. Drod. i. 498. 
 
 An endemic Mascarene species of which I found only one specimen in leaf at the 
 mouth of the Riviere de I’Est. 
 
30 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Dombeya ferruginea, Cav. Diss. t. 42, f. 2; 2)(7. Frod. i. 499. Nom. vulg. Bois pipe. 
 
 Is met with in the upper parts of the valleys. The wood is heavy, and as the 
 popular name implies is used for making j^ipes. The leaves are hetermorphic. The 
 adult leaves frequently are more cordate and less creuate than in the type, hut 
 all are densely ferrugineo-tomentose beneath, In young trees the leaves are lan¬ 
 ceolate and taper to the base, and the under surface is pale green and glabroiis, 
 not in the least tomentose. Cavanilles l.c. says of the species Polia sunt cerfce 
 diversa,” but this he applies only to the amount of lobation; and then, again, he 
 says, tomento rufescente, in junioribus albicante.” His speeimens were derived 
 from Mauritius, so that in that island the species apparently varies in the same 
 manner as in Bodriguez. This species is endemic in the Mascarene islands. 
 
 Melochia pyramidata, Linn. ; DC. Frod. i. 490. 
 
 Is naturalised and grows everywhere. 
 
 TILIACE^. 
 
 Corchorus trilocularis, Linn.; DC. Frod. i. 504. 
 
 Established, and grows in abundance on the barren slopes of the western end of 
 the island. The Bodriguez plant differs from the type slightly, the pods dehiseing 
 usually by four or five valves. 
 
 Triumfetta glandulosa, Lam. ; DC. Frod. i. 50G. Kom. vulg. Herbe a paniers. 
 
 A common weed. An infusion of the leaves is a favourite tisane. 
 
 GEBANIACE^. 
 
 Oxalis corymbosa, DC. Frod. i. 696. Nom. vulg. Alleluia or Oseille. 
 
 A plant I found in leaf in Bivi5re des Acacies is referred to this species. The 
 leaves closely resemble specimens of a plant so named sent from Mauritius by 
 Bouton; and there is also a close resemblanee to the figure of 0. Martiana, Zucc., in 
 Bot. Mag. t. 3938, a typical American species. As I got no flowers it is impossible 
 to identify the plant with certainty. 
 
 Oxalis corniculata, Linn.; DC. Prod. i. 692 ; JFt. Lc. t. 18. Nom. vulg. Petite 
 oseille. 
 
 Very common everywhere. 
 
 RUTACE.®. 
 
 Zanthoxylum paniculatum, Balf.fil. 
 
 Arborea, ramulis validis teretibus, spinis paucis nigrescentibus uncinatis armatis; 
 foliis imparipinnatis, 15-19 foliolatis, ad apicem raniulorum confertis, breviter petio- 
 latis; foliolis oppositis, sessilibus, subcordato-oblongis, obtusis, basi inequaliter 
 cordatis, glabris, subcoriaceis, supra nitidis, subtus pallidioribus, costa venisque pro- 
 
• IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 31 
 
 minentibus; panicnlis sul)sessi]ibus, patentibns, folio brevioribus, ramis puberulis, 
 pedicellis brevibiis ; capsula globosa, l)iYalvi, glabra minute tu1)erculataj breviter 
 stipitata. 
 
 Arbor glabra usque ad 20 pedes alta, eortice albido. Folia alterna, 5-8 poll, 
 longa; foliola superiora smpe majora, 2-3J poll, longa, f poll, lata; gemmarum 
 tegmenta extus glutinosa; petiolus communis brevis, teres, subpuberulus. Flores 
 ignoti. Caijsula fusco-nigroscens, ^ poll, diam., usque ad basim in valvas duas fissa, 
 stipite longo. Semina ignota. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Bois Pasner. 
 
 I only found one or two trees of this near the shore of Anse Quitorze. The wood 
 is white, tine grained, and very hard. It is not far removed from. Z. Budrunga, 
 DC. Prod. i. 728, but differs in the want of large glands at the leaf crenatures. 
 Z. tomentellum. Hook. til. PI. Brit. lud., i. 493, has some resemblance, but is more 
 spiny. 
 
 Toddalia acnleata, Fers.; DC. Frod. ii. 83 ; JFt. III. t. 66. 
 
 Only in the higher parts of the island. 
 
 Toddalia paniciilata, Lam .; DC. Frod. ii. 83. 
 
 A species confined to Mauritius and Ptodriguez. Is not common. Only in 
 secluded parts of the island. In Mauritius, infusions of the leaves of this and of the 
 foregoing species arc much used as expectorants, whilst the bark is said to be 
 astringent. 
 
 Citrus medica, Linn. ; var. medica proper. Hook. fil. FI. Brit. Ind. i. 514. Nom. 
 vulg. Citron. 
 
 Growls spontaneously everywhere, forming in many places impenetrable thickets. 
 It fruits very freely, and the fruit is in great demand. The leaves and rind of the 
 fruit are used in preparing tisanes for various maladies. The Citron is distinguished 
 by the inhabitants from the real sour Citron, which, however, I was never fortunate 
 enough to find, but I am informed it grows abundantly in Mauritius. I suppose 
 this latter is the var. acida, Hook. fil. l.c. The natives say that if the seed of tlic sour 
 Citron of Mauritius be sown in Pmdriguez, it produces a less sour fruit and one 
 like the Citron, and in fact becomes it. 
 
 Citrus Aurantium, Linn.; var. a. Aurantium proper. Hook. jil. FI. Brit. Ind. 
 i. 515. Nom. vulg. Granger. 
 
 Onlv a few of these trees occur which fruit verv frcelv. 
 
 Citrus Aurantium, Var. h. Bigaradia, Hook. fil. 1. c.; JVt. Ic. 957. Nom. vulg. 
 Bigaradc. 
 
 This is the commonest Citrus on the island, and is very al)undant, forming 
 along witli C. medica close and dense tliickets. The fruit is not eaten raw, but 
 is preserved in various ways ; and the leaves and the rind of the fruit arc used for 
 tisanes in shiverings and colic. 
 
32 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Citrus decumana, Linn.; Hook. fil. FI. Brit. Ind. i. 516. Nom. vnlg. Pam- 
 plemousses. 
 
 One or two trees of this grow near some of the oldest habitations. 
 
 Besides those species and varieties mentioned the inhabitants speak of the 
 “ Vangasaille ” which was described to me as about the size of a mandarin Orange, 
 and the “Limon,” said to he a little smaller than the Citron. I did not meet with 
 these forms. 
 
 Triphasia trifoliata, BC. Prod. i. 536. Nom. vnlg. Orangine. 
 
 Not common, and only near the dwellings of the early settlers, where many 
 introduced plants occur. 
 
 SIMARUBACE.®. 
 
 Suriana maritima, Linn .; LC. Prod. ii. 91. 
 
 Common along the shores where is coralline limestone and on all the coral islets 
 of the reef. 
 
 MELIACEiE. 
 
 Quivisia laciniata, Balf.jil. (Plate XIX.). 
 
 Prntex glaber, ramosissimns; foliis oppositis v. suboppositis, subsessilihns, niti¬ 
 dis, rigide coriaceis, reticulato-venulosis ; adnltis obovato-cnneatis, ohtnsis v. rctusis, 
 marginihns integris, juniorihns profnnde pinnatifidis, lohis 3-5 ohtnsis erectopa- 
 tentibns, in formam adultam gradatim transenntibns; florihus in cymas axillares 
 bifloras lirevissime pednnculatas collectis, pedicellis hrevihns validisqne, erectis 
 V. suherectis; calyce cotyliformi, minute 4-dentato, strigoso, dentihus deltoideis; 
 petalis 1 ohlongo-ellipticis ohtnsis, patentihns; staminihns 8, tnho brevi; ovario 
 dense strigoso; stylo versus apicem snhito incrassato iliiqne strigoso nec non con- 
 stricto; stigmate capitato, Icviter nmhilicato, obscure 4-lohato, laevi. 
 
 Friitex hahitn Buxi. Folia diversiformia, f-1 poll, longa, poll. lata. Pedi- 
 cellus poll, longns, leviter strigosns. glohosns, snhtrigonus. Calyx 
 
 yU poll. diam. Petala flava, poll, longa, extns in medio strigosa, ad margines 
 glabra. Stamimmi tnhns y^^ poll, longns; anthcra ovoidca, filamentis dimidio 
 hreviora. Fruct. ign. 
 
 Nom. vnlg. Bois halais. 
 
 This handsome member of an endemic Mascarene genus is very abundant in 
 Bodriguez. It produces a hard fine-grained wood which is greatly used for making 
 spoons. It is nearly allied to Q. filipes, Baker PI. Maur. Seych. 46, a Mauri¬ 
 tian species, hut is sufficiently distinguished by the short, thick pedicels, the larger 
 size of the flowers, and the heteromorphic leaves. 
 
 Plate XIX. Pig. I. Twig from adult plant. 2. Prom a younger plant showing 
 the pinnatifid juvenile leaves. 3. Prom a plant younger than that of 2. 4. Plower 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 33 
 
 bud. 5. Expanded flower. C. Corolla and androecium spread out. 7. Detached 
 petal. 8. Eour stamens detached. 9. Gynmcium enclosed in calyx. 10. Transverse} 
 section of nearly mature ovary. 11. Vertical section of nearly mature ovary. 
 Figs. 1, 2, 3, about nat. size. Eest magnified. 
 
 An introduced species mf Melia, called by the inhabitants Lilas, which furnishes 
 a wood, termed Bois de Singapore is found planted in a few places on the island. 
 
 CELASTEACE.®. 
 
 Elceodendron orientale, Jacq. Ic. t. 48; DC. Brod. ii. 10. Nom. Vulg. Bois 
 d’olive. 
 
 This is the most frequently met with of all the trees in the island, and many 
 specimens, where far removed from dwellings, have attained a large size. The leaves 
 are heteromorphic. The young ones are linear and acute, about 8 in. long by ^ in. 
 broad, with no petiole, or an exceedingly short one, the midrib and veins being of a 
 bright red colour, and the margins faintly undulate. From this we trace a suc¬ 
 cession of forms to the most mature, which are obovate or elliptico-oblong, obtuse or 
 refuse, 3 to 3|^ in. long by an inch or more broad, and with a distinct petiole ^ to ^ 
 in. long, the midrib and veins usually green and the margins distinctly crenate. 
 
 The inhabitants distinguish two varieties of this tree. One x\iqj cdil rouge"’ 
 the other “ hlanc ” according as the wood of the tree is red or not red, and the 
 “ hlanc ” is the harder wood of the two. But it is impossible to recognise these 
 varieties. The wood of the young plant is usually reddish, and as the plant grows 
 the new wood tends to become paler, until in mature trees the new wood may be 
 hardly red, or it may have a distinct red tinge. And so it happens that in every 
 tree of this species the wood in some part of the diameter of the trunk has a reddish 
 or pink colour. The wood is tough, and is used, more than any other tree, in car- 
 ])entry and for making “ pirogues.” I think this must be the tree to which Leguat 
 refers when he says, “ The Tree bore a fruit something like an olive, and the parrots 
 “ lov’d the nuts of it mightily.” From this tree exudes an enormous quantity of 
 gum in the form of tears, which soon harden and form large masses in crevices of 
 the stem or on the ground around. 
 
 EHAMNACEA2. 
 
 Zizyphus Jujuba, Lam.; DC. Brod. ii. 21; JFt. Ic. t. 99. Aom. vulg. Masson. 
 Is occasionally met with on the island. The infusion of the leaves is frequently 
 used for cough and cold. 
 
 Scutia Commersonii, Brong. in Ann. Sc. Nat. x. 363, 1.15, f. 1; Sc. indica, Brong. 
 l.c. Nom. vulg. Bois senti. 
 
 Frequently met with in the less frequented valleys, where it is very amioying 
 21. E 
 
34 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 from its recurved spines. It also occurs on some of the most elevated hill slopes. 
 Tlie hark has great repute in Mauritius as an astringent. 
 
 Gouania Eetinaria, DC. Prod. ii. 40; Eetinaria scandens (volubilis in icon.), 
 Gdrfn. Fruct. ii. 187. t. 120, f. 4. 
 
 This endemic Mascarene twiner is not common. I only found it in two localities, 
 hotli in the higher parts of the island. Baker (FI. Maur. Seych. 52), following 
 Bojer (Hort. Maur. 77), makes this species a synonym of G. tilicefolia, Lam., a 
 Bourbon plant according to Be Candolle, Prod. l.c.; but I cannot identify them. 
 The description of G. Petinmna ivwGiihu^ alato-triquetris ” seems to me irrecon¬ 
 cilable with that of G. tilicefolia “fructibus subovatis apteris.” 
 
 SAPINDACE.®. 
 
 Cardiospermum Halicacabum, Linn., var. microcarpum; C. microcarpum, D.B.K.; 
 DC. Prod. i. 601. Type figured Dot. 3Ia(j. t. 1040 ; IVt. Ic. t. 508. Nom. vulg. 
 Bonnet des prdtres. 
 
 Is a common twiner. 
 
 Allophyllus Cobbe, Plume; Diern in Hook. fil. FI. Brit. Ind. i. 673; Schmidelia 
 Cobbe, Wt. III. t. 141. 
 
 This is a glabrous form of the species and the leaves are almost entire. It is not 
 common, only found in one or two of the valleys. 
 
 Sapindus trifoliatus, Linn.; Hiern m Hook. fil. FI. Brit. Ind. i. S. emargi- 
 natus, Valil; Wt. III. t. 51; DC. Prod. i. 608. Nom. Vulg. Bois savon. 
 
 A few trees are found on the shore a little east of Venus Point. 
 
 Dodonoea viscosa, Linn.; DC. Prod. i. 616 ; D. Burmanniana, DC. Prod. i. 616; 
 Wt. III. t. 52. Nom. vulg. Bois gournable. 
 
 Very commmon on the hill slopes. 
 
 ANACAEDIACE.®. 
 
 Sclerocarya castanea, Baker FI. Maur. Seych. 63. (Plate XX.) 
 
 Arbor ramulis validissimis, teretibus; foliis imparipinnatis 7-11-foliolatis, ad 
 apicem ramulorum confertis, petiolatis; foliolis oppositis, sessilibus, rarius brevissime 
 petiolulatis, oblongis v. ovatis, acutis v. breviter acuminatis, basi insequaliter rotun- 
 datis, obscure crenulatis, submembranaceis, supra nitidis glabrisque, subtus medio 
 nervo subhirsutis; floribus diocis ?, breviter pedicellatis, in raceniis brevibus ses¬ 
 silibus V. breviter pedunculatis solitariis in axillis foliorum terminahum dense 
 confertis; ? sepalis 5 minutis, rotundatis, ciliatis; petalis 5 oblongis, obtusis, 
 reflexis, imbricatis ; disco crenato-lobato; staminibus 10, partim anantheris ; ovario 
 oblongo, glabro, biloculari (?); stylis 5 validis, distantibus, brevibus, erectis, divari- 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 85 
 
 catis, sub apiceni ovarii sitis ; stigmatibus capitatis, spongiosis; ovulis solitariis. 
 pendulis. 
 
 Arhor parva, glabra, usque ad 30 pedes alta. Tolia 6-9 poll, longa; foliola 
 2J-3^ poll, longa, f-1^ poll. lata, inferiora minora, latioraque; petiolus communis 
 liispidulus, 1^-2 poll, longus. Hacemus petiolum suboequans. J?etala albida, poll, 
 longa, sepalis triplo longiora. Stamina basi disci inserta, alterne breviora. Styll 
 poll. longi. Fructus ignotus. 
 
 In the valley of the Ptiviere Palmiste and at the top of the valley of the Riviere 
 Mouruc. 
 
 This is a rare tree 20-30 ft. high, and I found it only in the two localities 
 mentioned. I liave followed Baker in describing it as a species of Sclerocarya; 
 but its five-symmetrical flowers and crenated disk are marked points of difference from 
 the description of that genus. Of the many points of agreement I specially would 
 note the mode of attachment of the ovule to the placenta, which is very peculiar. 
 It answers much more closely the description of Savpephyllum^ an imperfectly 
 known monotypic Cape genus; the male flowers of which are alone described in 
 Bentham and Hooker’s Grenera Plantarum (see also Harv. and Sond. El. Cap. I. 
 525), but of the female flowers I have seen a MS. description at Kew. Unfortu¬ 
 nately the male flowers of my plant are unknown ; but the female flowers correspond 
 so closely with the description that I should have been inclined rather to place 
 it in this genus had Baker not previously described it as Sclerocarya ; and as our 
 information regarding the genera is imperfect I prefer to leave it so. May not this 
 species bring Sclerocarya Harpephyllnm, into one genus ? It seems to nie to 
 point in that direction, but with such fragmentary material as we possess it is 
 impossil)le to decide. 
 
 Plate XX. Eig. I. Terminal portion of twig with leaves and inflorescence. 2, 
 Elower bud. 3. Expanded flower. 4. Vertical section of flower. 5. Detached 
 stamen. 6. Style detached with stigma. 7. Branchlet bearing fruit. 8. Transverse 
 section of unripe fruit. Eig. I nat. size. Best magnified. 
 
 Mangifera indica, Linn.; DC. Frod. ii. 63; Dot. Mag. t. 4510. Xom. vulg. 
 Lc manguc. 
 
 Many forms of this tree occur on the island. The inhabitants told me that the 
 seed of the Mango in Bodriguez never contains a small grub which is always, or 
 nearly always, present in the Mango in Mauritius. The trees not Ijeing in fruit 
 during my stay I had no opportunity of verifying the statement. But supposing it 
 true, it seems to point to the probal)lc absence from Bodriguez of some insect which 
 is present in Mauritius and visits the Mango flower. May this have anything to do 
 with the fertilisation of the Mango ? I may mention in this connexion that a great 
 number of Mango trees which flowered most profusely showed no signs of producing 
 fruit. 
 
 E 2 
 
36 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 LEGUMINOS.®. 
 
 Crotalaria retusa, Xm;/.; DC. I*rod. ii. 125; Dot. Hag. t. 2561. Nom. vulg. 
 Cassc-cavelle. 
 
 Tliis is found under two forms on the island. One, an erect brancbing plant with 
 l)riglit green leaves nearly two inches long, grows in the valleys, and places where 
 the scrub has not been shortened. The second form is a dwarfed and stunted irregu¬ 
 larly spreading plant with smaller leaves, which are more silky; this grows on the 
 barren plains and open ground, where the vegetation is kept short by the cattle. 
 
 Arachis hypogsea, Linn.; DC. Prod. ii. 171; Hart. FI. Bras. xv. pt. 1, t. 23, f. 1. 
 Nom. vulg. Pistache. 
 
 Cultivated as an article of diet. 
 
 Indigofera argentea, Linn.; DC. Prod. ii. 221. Nom. vulg. Indigo batat. 
 
 Is found in many places. 
 
 Indigofera tinctoria, Linn.; DC. Prod. ii. 221; Wt. Ic. t. 365. 
 
 Formerly was cultivated largely on the island, especially on the higher parts, and 
 it has escaped in several places and is now naturalised. 
 
 Tephrosia purpurea, Pers.; DC. Prod. ii. 251. Nom. vulg. Indigo sauvage. 
 
 A common weed on the island. 
 
 Desmodium incanum, DC. Prod. ii. 332. Nom. vulg. Gros treff. 
 
 Grows everywhere. 
 
 Desmodium mauritianum, DC. Prod. ii. 331. Nom. vulg. Petit treff. 
 
 Everywhere on the grass slopes. 
 
 Desmodium triflorum, DC. Prod. ii. 331; JFt. Ic. t. 292. Nom. vulg. Petite 
 oseille marron. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Desmodium, sp. 
 
 I got a single specimen of a Desmodium^ but not in flower or fruit, which 
 resembles a specimen in like condition gathered by Horne in Seychelles, and 
 which Baker (FI. Maur. Seych. 75), considers as most likely D. adscendens, DC. 
 Prod. ii. 332 ; Bot. Beg. t. 815. 
 
 Abrus precatorius, Linn.; DC. Prod. ii. 381. Nom. vulg. Beglise. 
 
 A few plants only near Mathurin. 
 
 Clitoria Ternatea, X/ww.; DC. Prod.ii. 233; Bot. Hag. t. 1512. Nom. vulg. 
 Ambrevade marron. 
 
 Not common. Only near the shore at English Bay Point. 
 
 Teramnus labialis, Spreng. Sgst. Veg. iii. 235. 
 
 Common on the hill slopes. 
 
 Erythrina indica, Lam.; DC. Prod. ii. 112; IFt. Ic. t. 58. Nom. vulg. Mouruc, 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 37 
 
 This tree is occasionally found in most parts of the island, hut is specially 
 abundant at the month of the valley Rivihre Mouruc, on the south side of the island, 
 to which it gives the name. 
 
 Atylosia scarabaeoides, Benth. Bl. Jungh, 242. 
 
 Common near the shore. 
 
 Rhynchosia minima, DC. Brod. ii. 385. 
 
 Common everywhere. This plant is not reported from Mauritius nor from 
 Sevchelle<. 
 
 t, 
 
 Caesalpinia Bouducella, Flem. in Asiat. Res. xi. 159; Guilandina Bonduc, Boj, 
 Hort. Maur. 117. Nom. vnlg. Cadoc. 
 
 Common everywhere. 
 
 Caesalpinia sepiaria, Roxh. FI. Did. ii. 360 ; IFt. Ic., t. 37. Nom. vulg. Cassie. 
 
 Is not common, hut is met with in a few valleys. 
 
 Haematoxylon campechiannm, Linn.; DC. Brod. ii. 485; Bentl. and Trim. Jled. 
 Bl. t. 8. Nom. vulg. Bois campeche. 
 
 This tree is planted as a hedge around gardens in the vicinity of Mathurin. 
 
 Poinciana regia, Boj. FLort. Maur. 119; Bot. Mag. t. 2884. Nom. vulg. Blam- 
 hoy ant. 
 
 A few trees of this are found planted on the links at Port Mathurin, in front 
 of Government House, wdiere they flower and fruit very freely. 
 
 Cassia occidentalis, Linn.; DC. Brod. ii. 497 ; Bot. Reg. t. 83. Nom. vulg. 
 Casse puante. 
 
 A few plants of this are found upon the island. It is often used medicinally. 
 
 Tamarindus indica, Linn.; DC. Brod. ii. 488; Bentl. and Trim. Med. Bl. t. 92 ; 
 T. officinalis. Hook. Bot. Mag. t. 4563. Nom. vulg. Tamarin. 
 
 Is found scattered over the island. It is said that the early Dutch settlers 
 introduced this tree to Mauritius. It is used very extensively hy the Creoles in 
 treating disease. The hark is said to he astringent and tonic. The pulp of the 
 fruit is well known as a mild laxative. 
 
 Mucuna gigantea, DC. Brod. ii. 405; JFt. Illustr. in Ilook. Bot. 3Iisc. ii. 351. 
 Siippl. t. 14. Nom. vulg. Mort aux Bats. 
 
 Common in many ])laces. The popular name indicates the poAver ascribed to it 
 
 hy the natives. 
 
 Mucuna, sp. 
 
 I have the leaves of anoihev 3Fi{cun a which I have not been able to identify with 
 any species. The leaves are thick and coriaceous, and are more oblong-oval than 
 those of 3L. gigantea. The flower and fruit I have not seen. It is a common 
 climber in the valleys, forming very thick festoons from tree to tree. 
 
38 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Canavalia obtusifolia, DC. Drod. ii. 404. 
 
 Grows on the shore at English Bay, interlacing with Ipomcea pes-caprce, Roth. 
 
 Canavalia ensiformis, DC. Rrod. ii. 404; Dot. Hag. t. 4027. Nom. vulg. Coco- 
 rico. 
 
 Only found in the upper part of Riviere Cascade valley, 
 
 Phaseolus lunatus, Linn.; DC. Rrod. ii. 393; JFt. Ic. t. 755. Nom. vulg. 
 Haricot vert. 
 
 Is cultivated on the island, and is occasionally found as an escape. Many 
 varieties of Haricot were formerly cultivated, hut lately a caterpillar has appeared 
 and so damaged the crops that they are now less commonly cultivated. 
 
 Cajanus indicus, Sprenig Syst. iii. 248; Cajanus hicolor, DC. Rrod. ii. 406; Rot. 
 Reg. t. 31. Nom. vulg. Amhrevade. 
 
 This is cultivated occasionally, and the seeds are used as Dholl. In some places 
 it lias escaped and grows spontaneously. This plant is reputed most efficacious 
 medicinally as diuretic. 
 
 Desmanthns virgatus, Willd.; DC. Rrod. ii. 445 ; Dot. 31ag. t. 2454. 
 
 Growls abundantly in the neighbourhood of Port Mathurin. 
 
 Leucsena glauca, Benth. in Hook. Bond. Journ. Bot. (1842) iv. 416. Nom. vulg. 
 Acacie. 
 
 This plant was introduced into the island about 30 years ago, and now has 
 spread everywhere, filling up completely many of the valleys, and destroying the 
 indigenous vegetation. The young twigs are a favourite food for the goats, 
 and the straight stems of the young trees are used as poles for propelling “ piro¬ 
 gues.” 
 
 Acacia farnesiana, Willd.; DC. Rrod. ii. 461; Rclih. FI. Germ. Ic. t. 2052. 
 
 A few plants of this occur planted as hedges along with Hcemaloxylon cam- 
 pechianmn L., near Mathurin. 
 
 Albizzia Lebbek, Benth. in Hook. Bond. Journ. Bot. (1844) iii. 87. Nom. vulg. 
 Bois noir. 
 
 Is found abundantly on the island. This tree is said to have been introduced 
 into Mauritius about 1767, from Bengal, by Cossigny, hut I have no record of its 
 reaching Rodriguez. 
 
 ROSACEA. 
 
 Prunus communis, Benth. et Hook.f. Gen. Riant, i. 610.; Amygdalus communis, 
 Linn.; DC. Rrod. ii. 530. Nom. vulg. La peche. 
 
 Is naturalised. 
 
 Rubus rosaefolius, ; DC. Rrod. ii. 556; Hook. Ic. Rl.in. t. 349. Nom. 
 vulg. Eramhoise. 
 
 Everywhere on the island. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 39 
 
 CRASSULACE^. 
 
 Bryophyllum calycinum, Salisb.; DC. FrocL iii. 396; Bot. 3Iag. t. 1409. Nom. 
 vulg. SoLitii fafan. 
 
 Not common on the island. Is used as an application to bruises. 
 
 COMBRETACE^. 
 
 Terminalia Benzoin, Linn.fil Siippl. 434 (excl. siju. et loc.) ; T. rnauritiana, Lam.; 
 J)C. Brod. iii. 11. Nom. vulg. Bois cliarron. 
 
 This endemic Mascarene species is one of the heterophyllous trees of the island. 
 It occurs abundantly. The contrast between the leaves of young plants and the 
 adult form is so great that it was some time ere I eould eonvinee myself they 
 belonged to the same species. The young leaves are linear and about 2 inches 
 long, and l in. broad, very shortly petiolate, clustered at the ends of the branchlets, 
 densely pubescent with undulated and recurved margins. The adult leaves are 
 quite glabrous, with long petioles almost equalling the lamina, which is over 2 inches 
 long and nearly an inch or more broad; oval-oblong with a crenate margin and 
 coriaceous. T. angustifolia, Jacq. Hort. Vind. iii. t. 100, is a form of this witli 
 leaves narrower than usual. The wood of the tree is very hard, and is the best for 
 the purpose of wheelwrights, hence the common name. The bark is supposed to be 
 a good astringent. 
 
 Terminalia Catappa, Linn.; DC. Brod. iii. 11; Bot. 2Iag. t. 3004. Nom. vulg. 
 Badamier. 
 
 Common on the island. 
 
 MYRTACEiE. 
 
 Psidium pomiferum, Linn.; DC. Brod. iii. 234; P. pyriferum, DC. iii. 233. 
 Nom. vnlg. Goyave. 
 
 Prequent. The fruits are frequently preserved by the inhabitants. 
 
 Psidium Cattleianum, Sabine; Bot. Beg. t. 622. Nom. vulg. Goyave de Chine. 
 
 I doubt very much if this is really my plant. The frnit in the figure is purple, 
 and is quite globular. Mine has a pyriform fruit which is bright yellow. It may 
 he, however, a variety such as we have in the case of Bs. pomiferum Lj. 
 
 Eugenia uniflora, Linn. Sp. Bl. 673; E. Michelii, Lam.; DC. Brod. iii. 263; 
 Plinia pedunculata, Bot. 2Lag. t. 473. Nom. vulg. Boussaille. 
 
 Often met near habitations. 
 
 Eugenia Jambos, Linn. Sp. Bl. 672; Bot. ILag. t. 1696; Jambosa vulgaris, 
 DC. Brod. iii. 286. Nom. vulg. Jamrosa. Jamrose. 
 
 Very common in the valleys. I am told that in the seed of this fruit in Mauritius 
 a gml) is always found, just as in the Mango, but it is absent in the fruit as grown in 
 Rodriguez. 
 
40 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIOUEZ. 
 
 Eugenia Jambolana, Lam. Encyo. iii. 198; JVt. Ic. t. 535; Syzygium Jambo- 
 lanum, I)C. Erod. iii. 259. Nom. vulg. Jamlonguc. 
 
 A few trees near habitations at Oyster Bay. 
 
 Eugenia Balfourii, Baker FI. Maur. Seych. 116. 
 
 Arborea, ramosissima, ramnlis glabris tetragonis; foliis breviter petiolatis, ob- 
 longis V. ovali-ol)longis v. oblanceolatis acutis, basi cuiieatis, glabris, rigide subcori- 
 aeei«, pellucido-punctatis, pennineiwiis, nervis temiibus plurimis arete positis; 
 pauieulis longe pediinculatis, paucifloris, axillaribus, folia sequantibus, glabris, ramis 
 late patenti1)ns ; floribns sessilibus y. brevissime pedicellatis, panels; calyce obscure 
 dentato, dentibus deltoideis. 
 
 Arbor parva, glabra, usque ad 15 pedes alta, cortice albido corrugate. Folia 
 opposita, 2^-3 poll, longa ; petiolus 1^ poll, longus. Banicula 1^-2 poll. lata. 
 Calyx J poll, longus, Friictiis ^ poll, diam., globosus, ruber, lobis calycis persisten- 
 til)us coronatus. 
 
 Norn. vulg. Bois clou. 
 
 “ Near E. Jambolana, from which it differs by its smaller leaves, with much 
 closer veining and feAver larger flowers, Baker, 1. c.” This is a small tree which 
 I found growing in the higher part of the island, which has a remarkably white 
 bark, and Baker has considered it a new species. It agrees very Avell, however, with 
 the descriptions of Syzygium panicMlatum, DC. Prod, iii. 259, collected by Com- 
 merson, in Bouikon, ivhere it is known as Bois d ecorce blanche^ which is 
 Eugenia panietdata, Lam. Diet. iii. 199. Unfortunately my specimens are A^ery 
 imperfect, wanting floAver and perfect fruit, and I have found no specimens of 
 Commerson’s plant in the KeAv herbarium with which to compare it, and it is 
 therefore very difficult to determine the point, but I do not think it improbable that 
 my plant is this species. In the meantime I have folloAved Baker. 
 
 Eugenia sp. 
 
 GroAving on the slopes of the Grande Montague I found another species of 
 Eugenia, only in leaf, which is not far removed from the foregoing, but it is 
 impossible to determine it. 
 
 Eugenia cotinifolia, Jacq. Obs. iii. t, 53. Nom. vulg. Bois de fer. 
 
 Specimens of a small shrub, about 12 feet high, Avith a habit very like a Holly, 
 growing very abundantly on the island, but of Avhich I neither got flowers or fruit, 
 has been referred by Baker 1. c. to the above speeies. The Avood of the tree is 
 very hard and heavy, hence its popular name. I think this species is probably 
 heterophyllous, for I have found bushes with leaves much less rounded than the 
 adult, but have no positiA^e evidence. 
 
 Foetidia mauritiana, Lam. III. t. 419; L>C. Brod. iii. 295. Nom. vulg. Bois 
 pliant. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 41 
 
 This peculiar Mascarene plant is very common. The tree is heterophyllous, but 
 the specimens of heteromorphism I got show by no means so extensive a variation 
 as do many other trees. The heterophylly, so far as I observed it, is most marked 
 when the plant is growing on the seashore, the young leaves then being more 
 elongated and approaching a linear form. The plant receives its name Bois pnant 
 on account of the sickening and disgusting odour exhaled from the leaves when the 
 Sim shines on it. The wood is very good, and is often used for making “pirogues.” 
 
 LYTHRACE^. 
 
 Pemphis acidula, Forst.; DC. Frocl. hi. 89. Nom. vulg. Bois matelot. 
 
 Grows abundantlv on the shore where there is coralline limestone. 
 
 t' 
 
 Punica Granatum, Linn.; DC. Prod. hi. 3; Pot. Mag. 1832, A and B. Nom. 
 vulg. Grenade. 
 
 Is sometimes found naturalized. Of it the inhabitants distinguish two varieties. 
 Grenade rouge and Grenade blanc, the difference lying in the colour of the endo- 
 carp of the mature fruit, which in one case is tinged with red. These would corre¬ 
 spond respectively to the varieties a, ruhruni, and h, albescens, distinguished by 
 De Candolle, 1. c. I cannot say that I satisfied myself of the validity of the dis¬ 
 tinction. Used as a powerful astringent. 
 
 TURNERACE^. 
 
 Mathiirina, Balf.jil. in Linn. Soc. Joiirn. xv. 159. (Plate XXI.) 
 
 Sepala 5, ovato-lanceolata v. elliptico-oblonga acnnhnata, costa prominentc, 
 glandula magna hilobata intus basi adnata. Petal a 5, subhyjiogyna, obcimeata v. 
 ohovata acuta, nnda, snbuuguiculata, basi sepalis leviter adnata, reclinata et corrugata. 
 Stamina 5, sn1)hypogyua, exserta ; filamentis snbnlatis calycis glandulis in fnndo 
 imo vix adhserentibns ; antheris lineari-obloiigis introrsis. Ovarium sessile, unilo- 
 cnlare, liberum, oblongum, glabrum ; ovula adscendentia ; styli 3, filiformes, termi- 
 nales stio-matibns dilatatis snbfinihriatis. Capsuta oblonga, triquetra, glabra, 
 3-valvis, poly sperina. Semina obovoideo-cylindracea, lente curvata, fuuiculo brevi, 
 arillo longe piloso-sericeo basim seminis circnmdante, testa Crustacea extus foveo- 
 lata, albnmine carnosa; embryo axilis, rectus, cotyledoihbns ovatis plaiio-convexis, 
 radicnla tereti. 
 
 Arbor parva. Folia alterna, petiolata, lanceolata, saepe obovata, acuta, crenato- 
 serrata ; petiolns 2-glandulosns ; stipulae 'glanduliformes, decidua}. Flores iiiagni, 
 pednnculati, vnlgo solitarii, axillares, nonnnnquam in cymas trifloras dispositi, albi; 
 peduncnli infra medium articnlati, 2-bracteolati; bracteohe snl)foliace9e, serratae 
 
 V. crenatae, lincares. 
 
 M. penduliflora (species imica). 
 
 Arbor jvarva, usque ad 20 pedes alia, ramis erectis, foliorum cicatricihns magnis. 
 Folia lanceolata v. obovata v. obcimeata, acuta, 3-4 polk longa, 1 poll, lata, penni- 
 
 F 
 
 il. 
 
42 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 nervia, nervis tenuibus nervulis intramarginalibus conjunctis, sed per adolescentiam 
 linearia vel ligulata, f poll, lata, in formam adultam gradatim transeuntia; petiolo 
 brevi, margine ntroque versus medium glandula instructo, lamina decurrente. 
 Flores albidi; pedunculi 1-2 poll, longi; bracteolse lineares. Glandules sepalorum 
 intus sulcatse, pubescentes, apice emarginatee. Sepala petalaque 1 poll, longa. 
 Stamina perianthium dimidio excedentia. Ovarmm glabrum, oblongum, 1 poll, 
 longum; stylis incurvatis. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Bois gandine. 
 
 Usually found on tlie higher parts of the island. The stem is usually thickly 
 clad with lichens, and the wood is light coloured and fine grained. The tree is 
 heterophyllous. The young leaves are quite linear, about inch broad, with slight 
 widely separated serrations, but the adult leaves are usually obovate or obcuneate, 
 almost an inch broad, and with very marked crenatures. The nearest affinity is 
 with the monotypic genus EiFUcliia of Seemann, a native of Panama, from which, 
 however, it is distinguished l3y the sepaline gland, absence of petaline fringes, 
 stigmas, and the arillate seeds. 
 
 Plate XXI. Pig. 1. Prom a photograph. 2. Twig from adult with typical 
 leaves. 3. Leaf from a young tree, more linear and elongated. 4. Twig with 
 leaves from a very young plant or adventitious shoot. 5. Plower spread out. 
 6. Detached sepal. 7. Detached petal. 8. Gryneecium. 9. Apex of style. 10. 
 Pruit dehiscing. 11. Transverse section of fruit. 12. Seed (nat. size). 13. Seed 
 magnified, 14. Embryo. 
 
 PASSIFLOKACE.®. 
 
 Carica Papaya, Linn. Sp. FI. 1466; Lot. Mag. tt. 2898, 2899; Papaya vulgaris, 
 LC. Frocl. XV. 1,414. Nom. vulg. Papaye. 
 
 Grows now spontaneously in several places. The juice is used most extensively, 
 specially as an anthelmintic, and also for several other diseases. The inhabitants 
 hold the common idea that fresh killed meat if hung up under this tree for an 
 hour or two becomes quite tender. 
 
 CUCURBITACEiE. 
 
 Lagenaria vulgaris, Ser.; LC. Frod. iii. 299; Wt. III. t. 1057. 
 
 Is cultivated. 
 
 Momordica balsamina, Linn. ; LC. Frod. iii. 311. Nom. vulg. Margose. 
 
 Cultivated and occasionally an escape. 
 
 CitruUus vulgaris, Schrad. in Bold, et Zeyli. Bniim. 279. Nom. vulg. Melon 
 d’eau. 
 
 Cultivated and sometimes found as an escape. 
 
 The ‘Water melon was one of the plants introduced by Leguat. He says they 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUE. 
 
 43 
 
 brought five seeds from the Cape of Good Hope, and the plants springing from those 
 he describes thus ;—‘‘ Among our five plants of water melons there were two sorts, 
 “ red and white; the first were the best. The rind w^as green and the inside red ; 
 “ they are very refreshing, and never do any hurt, no more than the others {i.e. 
 “ ordinary melons) : they are so full of water that one may easily go vdthout drink 
 “ wdien they are eaten; sometimes they were so big that all eight of us could 
 hardly eat up one of them. These several kinds of melons grew without taking 
 “ pains about them, as I have said already, and produced fruit in great abundance. 
 ‘‘ When we miugled a little ashes with the earth in the place where they Avere sown 
 “ it made ’em grow and fructifv extraordinarilv, and the fruit Avas more than 
 “ ordinarily delicate.” 
 
 Citrullus Colocynthis, Sclirad.; Naiid. in Ann. Sc. Naf. 4th ser. xii. 99; TJ^t. 
 Ic. t. 498; Cucumis Colocynthis, Linn. ; DC. JProd. iii. 302. 
 
 A plant Avhich is provisionally referred to this species is found in several places 
 on the island, usually on coral or on sandy soil. The specimens are too imperfect 
 for absolute determination. Seeds are, hoAvever, soAvn at Kew. 
 
 CACTACE.®. 
 
 Opnntia Tuna, Hill.; DC. Drod. iii. 472. Nom. vulg. Eaquette. 
 
 Occurs near habitations, often planted as a hedge. 
 
 FICOIDE^. 
 
 Sesuvium Portulacastrum, Linn.; DC. Drod. iii. 453 ; Dot. 3Lag. t. 1701. 
 
 Everywhere on the shore about high w^ater mark. 
 
 UMBELLIFERiE. 
 
 Hydrocotyle bonariensis, Lam.; DC. Drod. iv. 60. 
 
 Growls in many valleys. 
 
 Dauciis Carota, Linn.; DC. Drod. iv. 211; Eng. Dot. t. 515. hiom. vulg. 
 Carotte sauvage. 
 
 Common on the hills. 
 
 AKALIACE.®. 
 
 Gastonia cntispongia, ; DC. Drod. iv. 256; Polyscias cutispongia, 
 
 FI. Manr. Seycli. 127; Polyscias repanda, Daker, pars quo ad habitat E^odriguez. 
 Nom. vulg. Bois blanc. 
 
 A scarce tree only growing on coralline limestone. I have referred my plant 
 to this, the solitary species of an endemic Bourbon genus, but the Eodriguez plant 
 is not typical. The leaves are more rounded at the base, are less coriaceous and 
 have distinct petioles; the calyx is smaller; the fruit also is more glol^ular, the 
 
44 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 style disk louo'er and style branches shorter and more recuryed, and the whole more 
 deeply umhilicated than in the type form. These yariatioiis might almost be con¬ 
 sidered specific, but as my specimens are not perfect, I think it is better to include 
 it under this species, which seems to Ije yery yariable, until more complete specimens 
 are obtained. 
 
 Baker, El. Maur. Seych. 126, unites Gastonia with the genus JPolyscias and 
 refers my plant to JPolyscias repanda, Baker, to which he also refers Gillhertla 
 repanda, D.C. I cannot agree with him. Folyscias and Gastonia are yery closely 
 allied, but the articulated pedicels and the calyculus of the former are yery 
 characteristic, as also the few-celled oyary, and keep them sufficiently distinct. 
 P. repanda, Baker, so far as the description applies to the Mauritian plant is a 
 true Folyscias; but the Bodriguez plant, which he also includes, is a Gastonia, and 
 if not a yariety of, is yery nearly allied to, Gastonia catisponyia, Lam., as above 
 mentioned. 
 
 RUBIACE^. 
 
 Danais corymbosa, Bcdf.Jil. 
 
 Herba scandens volubilisve, ramulis tenuibus, glabris, tetragonis ; foliis oppositis, 
 breviter petiolatis, oblongis y. lanceolatis acutis y. acuminatis, basi cuneatis, integris, 
 glabris, subcoriaceis, reticulato-venulosis, subtus pallidis; stipulis minutis; cyinis 
 corymbosis axillaribus in axillis foliorum terminalium, densifloris, breviter peduncu- 
 latis, pedicellis erectis, tenuibus, brevibus, bracteolis minutissimis ; calyce 5-dentato, 
 tubo camjianulato, dentibus lanceolatis; corolla hypocrateriformi, segmentis 
 oblongo-spathulatis acutis, patentibus, tubo dimidio brevioribus, fauce dense villosa; 
 florum brevistylium staminibus longe exsertis ; stylo furcato tubum corollae aequante, 
 ramulis teretibus clavatis; capsula globosa, glabra. 
 
 Herha lignosa, late scandens. Folia pallide-virescentia, ad extremitatem 
 utramque attenuata, 2-4 poll, longa, poll, lata, marginibus siccitate revolutis 
 sub-repandis; petiolus poll, lougus ; stipulae deltoideae,‘-y^ 2 ^ poll, longse. Corym- 
 hns 1^-2 poll, diam ; pedunculus ^ poll, longus ; pedicelli sub-puberuli, 
 longi. Corolla jL poll, longa, calyce triplo-longior. Antliera jL poll, longa. Capsula 
 profunde loculicida ^ poll. diam. Semina plurima, minuta. 
 
 This species is not common on the island and only occurs in the higher districts. 
 DeCandolle, Prod. iv. 361, records four species of this Mascarene genus, three from 
 Mauritius and one common to Mauritius and Bourbon. Of these, three, namely, 
 1), fracjrans, Comm., 1). rotundifolia, Poir., and T>. laxijlora, DC., are merely 
 forms of one species, and they have been all reduced to one D. fragrans, Comm., by 
 Cordemoy in Adansonia x. 366, whom Baker follows, El. Maur. Seych. 137. D. 
 sulcata, Pers., the fourth species mentioned by De Candolle, is probably also a 
 form of D. fragrans. Comm. The Pi-odriguez plant is not unlike some of the forms 
 of D. fragrans. Comm., but differs conspicuously in the form and long petiolation of its 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUK. 
 
 45 
 
 leaves and its longer paniculate inflorescence, the racliis exceeding considerably the 
 petiole. The flowers in this genus formerly considered dioecious have been sliown 
 by Cordemoy l.c. to 1)e really dimorphic. I only collected the short-styled form in 
 Hodriguez. 
 
 Oldenlandia Sieberi, Baker, var congesta. 
 
 Herha perennis dense caespitosa, caule hrevi, ramis confertis stellatim pa- 
 tentihus, tetragonis, suhalatis; folds oppositis ^ poll, longis, ovatis v. ohlongo- 
 ovatis V. ohovatis ohtusis, inferne in petiolum hreveni attenuatis, glahris iucras- 
 satis, coriaceis, nitidis. 
 
 This plant grows only in tufts on the coralline limestones along with a small 
 species of JErna. Baker, 4T. Maur. Seycli. 138, considers it a distinct species, hut 1 
 do not think the characters arc sufficient to separate it from the Mauritian O. 
 Sieheri, Baker. Its congested habit, which is the only marked point of distinction, 
 is quite accounted for by its habitat on dry limestone soil; the type O. Sieheri, 
 Baker, being a plant of roadsides and damp ground. 0. calUpes, Griseh. of Coll. 
 Wright, PI. Cul). 11 . 2678 in Kew herliarium seems also a very close ally. 
 
 Randia heterophylla, Balf. fil. Plate XXII. 
 
 Suffriitex glaher, ramulis tetragonis; foliis oppositis, hreviter petiolatis, rigide 
 coriaceis, glahris, supra nitidis, adultis ohlongis v. ellipticis, ohtusis mucronatis v. 
 emarginatis, ad extremitatem utramqiie rotiindatis, vel soepe lanceolatis ct versus 
 extremitates attenuatis, jiivenilihus lineari-lanceolatis, elongatis, acutis, hispidulis, 
 gradatim iriforniam adultamtranseuntihus ; stipulis hrevibus, connatis, suhtriincatis ; 
 cyniis solitariis, extra-axillariluis, patentihus, 1-5-floris, pedunciilis glahris iietioliim 
 longe excedentihus, hracteolis fere ohsoletis; florihus sessilihus v. hrcvissime pedi- 
 cellatis, erectis ; calycc angiiste-infundibuliformi, minute 5-deutato; corolla hypo- 
 crateriforini, fauce hreviter villosa, segmentis lanceolatis ; antheris parti in exsertis, 
 ligiilatis, acutis; ovario 5-gono; friictu ovoideo-ohlougo 5-angulato. 
 
 Siiffrutex inerniis. Folia hcteroniorpha, opposita, adiilta 2^-6 poll, loiiga, 
 li_2^ poll, lata, juniora pedem excedeutia vixque poll, lata; petiolus } poll, 
 longus; stipulm | poll, longoe, extus glahrm, intiis piloso-sericeae. Pedunculus 
 glaher £-1 poll, longus. Calyx angiilatus, dentihiis ohsciire deltoideis, ciliatis. 
 Corollce tuhus \ poll, longus, calycem sextuplo excedens, segmentis tuho longiorihus. 
 Discus pulvinaris. Antliera ^ poll, longa. Fructus costatus, coriaceus, I|-2 poll, 
 longus. 
 
 Xom. viiig. Cafe marron. 
 
 This is one of the prettiest and most interesting plants from Hodriguez, be¬ 
 longing, as it does, to a genus hitherto unknown in the Mascarene Islands, though 
 ahundantly represented in Africa. It is one of the few relics of the old Plora of the 
 island, and is only found in most unfrequented spots at the heads of the valleys. It 
 is heterophyllous as is represented in the plate. I am inclined to think there are 
 two species on the island, one of which in the adult has elliptical leaves or leaves 
 
46 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 rounded at both ends, and the other with leaves narrowing to both ends; but my 
 specimens are not sufficient to determine the point, and where we find, as we do in 
 this flora, such variations in individual characters amongst so many species, we 
 must allow a very wide range of speciflc variation. The parts of this plant are 
 not put to any use by the natives, and indeed it is so scarce many of them are 
 unaware of its existence. The wood is hard and white. 
 
 Plate XXII. Pig. I. Twig from a young plant, with narrow but not very 
 long leaves. 2. Leaf from a younger plant. 3. Leaf from an adult, typical form. 
 4. Plower bud. 5. Plower expanded. 6. Stamens detached. 7. Vertical section of 
 ovary, with style attached. 8. Transverse section of ovary. 9. Pruit not mature. 
 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, nat. size. Eest magnified. 
 
 Fernelia buxifolia, ; i)(7. Prof/, iv. 398. Plate XXIII. Nom. vulg. Bois 
 bouteille. 
 
 Tills small tree or shrub is very common on the island, and exhibits a very 
 marked heterophylly; the leaves or young plants and on adventitious shoots being 
 very minute, oval, and rigid, but not. spiny. In the adult they become almost 
 orbicular and lose much of their rigidity. This is one form of what I have referred 
 to in my introductory remarks as the first type of heterophylly. To illustrate this 
 a figure of the plant is given, but the heterophylly is not so clearly marked in the 
 plate as I could wish for. This variation accounts for the multiplication of species 
 in this genus. In DC. Prod. iv. 398, there are two described in addition to P. 
 huxifolia, Lam., viz., P. ohovata, Lam., and P. peclunculata, Gartn., but these have 
 rightly, I think, been reduced by Baker, PI. Maur. Seych. 142, to the type species, 
 P. huxifolia^ Lam. So that we have in Fernelia a Mascarene endemic monotypic 
 genus. 
 
 Some confusion as to the popular name of this tree has arisen, and it is often 
 referred to as Bois de ronde. This is the name of Fsiadia rodrigueskma^ Balf. 
 fil., a Composite plant. But the name Bois de ronde is often erroneously given to 
 Carissa Xylopicroii, Pet. Th., an Apocynaceous plant, of which the leaves, and 
 specially the young leaves, are very like those of Fernelia buxifolia, Lam., and 
 hence the name Bois de ronde has been sometimes associated with P. huxifolia, Lam. 
 The wood is hard, but not used for any special purpose. 
 
 Plate XXIII. Pig. 1. Twig from an adult plant. 2. Twig from a young plant. 
 3 and 4. Leaves of a different form from an adult plant. 5. Plower expanded. 
 6. Plower in vertical section. 7. Pruit. 8. Pruit in vertical, 9. in transverse section. 
 10. Seed in vertical section. 11. Embryo. Pigs. 3-6 from Mauritius specimens. 
 
 Antirrhoea frangulacea, T>C. Frod. iv. 460. Nom. vulg. Bois goudron. 
 
 A shrub 9-10 feet high I found growing on the coralline limestone at the south- 
 Avcst end of the island, unfortunately not in flower or fruit, resembles in foliage this 
 endemic Mascarene species. The wood is bright yellow. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUE. 
 
 47 
 
 Vangueria edulis, Valil; DC. Drod. iv. 454. Nom. vulg. Vavangue, Voavaug. 
 
 A common plant on tlie island. 
 
 Pyrostria trilocularis, Dalf. fil.; Plectronia ? trilocnlaris, Baker FL Ilaur. SeijcJt. 
 147. Plate XXIV. 
 
 Prntex ramosus glaber, ramulis tctragonis ; foliis rigide coriaceis, marginibus 
 leviter revolutisj giabiis, nitidis, penninerviis, snbtus costa promincnte, adnltis 
 breviter petiolatis, oblongo-ovalibus v. oblongis v. fere obovatis acutis, jiivenilibus 
 snb-sessilibns, linearibus, mneronatis; stipnlis connatis glabris, decidnis, longe cus- 
 pidatis ; floribus axillaribus ; fructn 3-rarius 2-loculari, globoso, subtrigono, breviter 
 stipitato. 
 
 Folia lieteromorplia, 2-5 poll, longa, 1-1^ poll, lata, petiolus J poll, longus; 
 juvenilia 1-1^ poll, longa, ^ poll, lata; stipnlae cuspide laminam aeqnante, poll, 
 longae. Drupa rubra, poll, diam., pyrenis 1; poll, longis ; seminibus infra medium 
 affixis; embryone axili, curvo; cotyledonibus cordatis, compressis; radicula tereti, 
 inferiore. 
 
 Xom. vulg. Bois chauve souris. 
 
 This is a small lieteroj)liyllous tree or slirub about 15-25 ft. high, of very erect 
 habit, the young leaves being narrow and linear and acute, 1)ecoming in the adult 
 broader and more obtuse and usually shorter. It is very abundant and bats feed 
 greatly on its fruit, hence its common name. 
 
 I have had considerable difficulty in determining to what genus to refer this 
 plant, and its position in the genus Fyrostria must only be regarded at present as 
 provisional, as my specimens are imperfect, I have no flowers. With Fijrostrla it 
 agrees in most points; the fruit is, however, fewer-celled than is common in that 
 genus. The embryo of the Bodriguez plant is slightly curved, and has an inferior 
 radicle. Of Fyrostria the embryo is at present unknown, but the genus is located 
 amongst the Vangiierice, Benth. et Hook. Gen. Plant, ii. 22, a group characterised 
 by a superior radicle. An important result then of the confirmation of this plant as 
 a Fyrostria will be the removal of that genus from its present position to one in the 
 tribe Ixorece, where the radicle is inferior Avhen it would come near Ilyonima and 
 Coffea. With Ilyonima the plant has many points of resemblance, more especially 
 with a species, II. heteroyFiylla, Boj. Hort. Maur. 169, but it differs therefrom in its 
 axillary clustered inflorescence, not terminal panicles. Witli Coffea also it has 
 certain resemblances, but there are sufficient characters to keep it out of that 
 genus. Baker refers it doubtfully to Flectrouia, but it is impossible to put it there, 
 as in that genus the radicle is superior. 
 
 Plate XXIV. Pig. 1. Pruit bearing twig from an adult tree with type leaves. 
 2. TAvig from a younger tree Avith narroAA’er leaves. 3. Prom a still younger plant, 
 or from an adventitious shoot. 4. Pruit. 5. Pruit in A’ertical section. 6. Pruit in 
 transA’erse section. 7. Pyrene in vertical, 8. in transA’erse section. 9. Seed in 
 
48 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 profile. 10. Seed from the side of attachment. 11. Embryo. Eigures of leave s 
 natural size. Eest magnified. 
 
 Scyphochlamys, JSalf.fil. 
 
 Cidycis tul)us canipanulatus ; limbus truucatus v. obscure 4-lobatus, coriaceus, 
 persistens. Corolla infundibularis, tubo brevi, fauce villosa; limbi lobi 4-5(6 ?) 
 lanceolato-triquetri, acuti, inerassati, valvati. Stamina 4-5(6?) ore corollse inserta, 
 filamentis brevibus, antberis dorso infra medium affixis, vix exsertis, lanceolato- 
 acutis. Discus annularis v. pulvinaris. Ovarium 4-5(6 ?) loculare ; stylus validus, 
 profunde 4-fidus; ovula in loculis solitaria, infra apicem loculi pendula. Fructus 
 pyriformis, costatus .... (maturum non vidi). Semina pendula, non compressa. 
 
 Arbores parvae, glaberrimae, ramulis subtetragonis. Folia opposita, breviter petio- 
 lata, rigide-coriacea, penninervia; stipulae interpetiolares, latae, connatae, coriaceae, 
 persistentes. Flores in capitulum 6-12-florum densum pedunculatum congesti. 
 Capitula intra bracteas duas oppositas conniventes crasse coriaceas persistentes in 
 involucrum cyatbiforme connatas inclusa. 
 
 S. revoluta, Balf. Jil. Plate XXV. 
 
 Arbor parva, ramosa; foliis beteromorpbis, adnltis lireviter petiolatis, elliplicis 
 V. late ovato-oblongis, nitidis, venulosis, marginibus revolutis, 3|-4 poll, longis, 
 1^-2^ poll, latis (petiolo excluso poll, longo) ; juvenilibus linearibus 4-6 poll, 
 longis ^ poll, latis; stipulis ^ poll., longis; capitulis solitariis, axilbiribus, erecto 
 patentibus; pedunculis petiolum excedentibus, poll, longis ; involucro poll, 
 diam., basi intus tuberculis a})pressis brevibus teretil)us linearibus dense vestito; 
 corolla poll, longa, calyce triplo longiore ; fructu in singulo involucro solitario. 
 
 Xom. vulg. Bois mangue. 
 
 This small tree grows commonly along with Fandia heleropliylla, Balf. fil. in 
 secluded parts of the island, and is not common. I am unable to refer it to any 
 known genus, and have taken it as the type of a new one. Its nearest affinity is 
 with Fyroslria, but it is distinguished ])y the sessile anthers, wdiicb are included or 
 sub-included ; the style, which is thick and is deeply 4-cleft; but tbe'most })rominent 
 feature is the large bracts, which form a complete involucre to the flowers. These 
 bracts arc clothed at the base within by many short conical adpressed processes, which 
 may represent abortive flowers. The embryo in the single immature fruit obtained 
 is unfortunately too decayed to determine its relations. This tree is heterophyllous. 
 The leaves of young plants being linear pass through a gradation of forms to the 
 adult type, which in many cases is almost orbicular. 
 
 Plate XXV. Pig. 1. Twig from an adult tree, with type form of leaf. 2. Prom a 
 younger plant. 3. Prom a very young plant or adventitious shoot. 4. One balf of 
 involucre. 5. Plower bud removed from involucre. 6. Plower expanded. 7. Corolla 
 and androccium opened out. 8. Stamen detached. 9. Gynaecium with portion of 
 calyx attached. 10. Transverse section of ovary. 1].. Vertical section of ovary, 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 1-9 
 
 with portion of calyx attaclicd. 12. Single not ripe frnit enclosed in involucre. 
 13. Vertical section of nnripe fruit. 1, 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, nat. size. Hest magnified. 
 
 Coffea arabica, Linn.; DC. Drod. iv. 499 ; Dot. Hag. t. 1303. Nom. vulg. Cafe. 
 
 Has l)cen largely cultivated on the island, hut now seldom; hut many good- 
 sized trees are found in the vicinity of old plantations. 
 
 Psychotria ? lanceolata, Dalf. fit. 
 
 Prutex glal)er, ramulis tetragonis ; foliis oppositis, lanceolatis, acutis, inferne in 
 pctiolum hrevcni gradatim attenuatis, coriaceis; stipulis deciduis ; floribus minutis, 
 breviter pedicellatis in paniculam corymbosam pedunculatam ebracteatam v. minu- 
 tissinic bracteatam dispositis, paniculis in axillis foliorum superiorum congestis ; 
 calyce late cupuliformi, truncato, obscure 5-dentato; corolla subcampanulata, lobis 
 lanceolatis incrassatis tuho brevioribus, fauce dense pilosa; antheris dorso atfixis, 
 filamentis brevibus ; disco niagno ; ovario 2-loculari; ovulo oblongo-ovato, com- 
 presso, in singulo loculo solitario, erecto, basilari; stylo furcato, ramis brevibus. 
 Pruct. ign. 
 
 Fnitex crecius. Folia opposita, 3-4 ])oll. longa, f-l poll, lata, internodiis 
 l)revibus; petiolus poll, longus. Fedunculus petiolo triple longior, pedicelli petiolo 
 breviores. Corolla I- poll, longa, calycem triple excedens, tubo ^ poll, longo. 
 Antherce poll, longae. 
 
 Nom. vuli?. Bois lubine. 
 
 This small slirul) is exceedingly rare. I only know of one plant in the island 
 on the slopes of the Grande Montague. My specimens arc very imperfect, as I have 
 only flower-lmds, and no fruit. It is difficult therefore to be certain of the genus, 
 but the 2-celled ovary, with a solitary basilar erect ovule in each loculus, jdaces it 
 distinctly in the tribe F^ychotrice, and it seems to fall most naturally into the genus 
 Fsychotria. 
 
 COMPOSITE. 
 
 Ageratiuii conyzoides, Linn.; DC. Frod. v. 108 ; Dook. Exot. Flor. i. 15. Nom. 
 
 vulg. Abgrat. 
 
 A common weed. 
 
 Eupatorium triplinerve, Vahl. Synib. hi. 97; E. Ayapana, Vent.; DC. Frod. v. 
 1C9. Nom. vulg. Ayapana. 
 
 Prequently met with. A reputed panacea. Was introduced into Mauritius 
 from Bio Janeiro in 1797 by Captain Augustin Baudin. The story is, that lie having 
 heard at that port of its medicinal virtues, and having endeavoured in vain to obtain 
 living plants, tlie night l)cfore leaving stole a plant from the window of one of 
 the liouses, which be carried to Mauritius. 
 
 Psiadia rodriguesiana, Dalf.Jil. 
 
 SuftTutex, ramulis teretibus pubescentihus ; foliis lanceolatis, acutis, superne pro- 
 
 G 
 
 21. 
 
50 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 funde-serratis, inf erne cnneatis integrisqne in petiolum pilosum brevem attennatis, 
 dense pilosis, nervo centrali snbtns prominente nervos 7-9 adscendentes parallelos 
 snlitiis prominnlos emittente; capitnlis brevifcer pediincnlatis, in corymbos laxos 
 axillares patentes dispositis; l)racteis involucri glabri interioribns lanceolatis v. 
 oblongis acutis margine submembranaceis, exterioribus brevioribus post antbesin 
 patentibus; acb^eniis radii compressis angulatis, rugis calvis, inter rugas strigosis, 
 pappo rigido setoso-scabriusculo. 
 
 Folia 3-4 poll, longa, |-1 poll, lata; petioliis poll, longns. Cymce oligo- 
 ceplialse ; pedunculi breves, puberuli; bractese interiores poll, longae. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Bois de ronde. 
 
 This is now a very rare plant in Bodriguez. It must have existed formerly in 
 great abundance, as the limestone plains are in many places thickly strewn with 
 fragments of liranches and stems. The wood is very hard, and has a dark ochry 
 colour. It differs from most species of Fsiadia in Mauritius in beiug velutino- 
 pubescent, not glutinous, and resembles many of the Bourbon species, originally 
 described as species of Couyza, but now referred to Fsiadia. 
 
 Fsiadia Coronopus, Bentli. et Hook. Gen. Flant. ii. 285 ; P. trinervia, JViUd. 
 var. macrodon, Faker FI. Maiir. Seych. 172; Sarcanthemum Coronopus, Cass.; 
 DC. Frod. V. 367. Plate XXYI. 
 
 Suffrutex ramulis teretilms glutinosis; foliis anguste oblongo-lanceolatis, basi 
 attenuatis, apice serratis, triplinerviis, coriaceis; capitulis breviter pedunculatis in 
 corymbos terminales dispositis ; involucris hemisphcericis floribus paulo brevibus; 
 receptaculo paleaceo fimbrillifero; florum tubo crasso ampliato; achseniis radii 
 glabris compresso-obovatis pappo setoso paleaceo. 
 
 This is a very interesting plant. It is very rare on the island. I only found it 
 at one point, on the shore, near the mouth of the Bivi5re Poursuite. It differs from 
 all other species of Fsiadia in the presence of scales on the receptacle, and in the 
 dilatation at the base of the corolla tube. 
 
 The plant was originally described by Lamarck, Encyc. ii. 89, as Conyza Coro¬ 
 nopus, from specimens brought by Commerson from Bodriguez. I have compared 
 my plants with the original specimens of Commerson in the Museum at Paris, and 
 have confirmed their identity. Cassini in Bull. Philom. 1818, p. 74 {see also Diet. 
 Sc. Xat. xlvii. 349, and DC. Prod. v. 367), created a new genus, Sarcanthemum, for 
 the plant, distinguishing it by the receptacle and dilated corolla tube. But Bentham 
 and Hooker, Grcn. Plant, l.c., place Sarcanthemum under Fsiadia, remarking 
 “ planta Mascarensis a nobis non visa ex charactere dato a Fsiadia non differt nisi 
 ‘‘ corollis basi crassis ampliatis.” The specimens brought now from Bodriguez admit 
 of a full examination of the plant, with the result that it is confirmed as a species of 
 Fsiadia, although it differs slightly from that genus in the corolla, and also in the 
 fimbrilliferous centre of the receptacle. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUK. 
 
 51 
 
 Baker, PL Maur. Scycli. 173, refers it as a variety to P. trinervia, Wilkl., 
 but tins it is certainly not. Corclemoy in Aclansonia x. 21, supposes Commerson s 
 plant may be P. retusa, Lam., but this also is erroneous. As to the distribution 
 of the plant, I believe it to be endemic in Eodriguez. De Candolle l.c. puts Mauri¬ 
 tius as a locality on the authority of Sprengel, but querries it. Sprengel himself, 
 Syst. Veg. hi. 510, only says, “ Ins. Mascaren,” which does not necessarily refer to 
 Mauritius. And neither Bojer, Ilort. Maur. 179, nor Bouton, knew the plant there. 
 Bourbon is also given by De Candolle l.c., on the authority of Bory, from whom 
 he received specimens, l)ut I am inclined to think there has been some confusion 
 as to the locality. Cordemoy knows nothing of the plant in Bourbon. 
 
 Plate XXVI. Fig. 1. Capitulum isolated. 2. Capitulum in vertical section. 3. 
 Flower of ray with an involucral scale. 1. Flower of disk with basal scale. 5. 
 
 Stamens and stvle from hower of disk. 
 
 1/ 
 
 Partheniiim Hysterophorus, Linn.; LC. Prod. v. 532; Lot. 31ag. t. 2275. 
 Nom. vulg. Ilerbe blanche. 
 
 A common weed in waste ground near habitations. An infusion of this plant 
 is a favourite tisane. 
 
 Siegesbeckia orientalis, lAnn.; LC. Prod. v. 495; Wt. Ic. t. 1103. Xom. vulg. 
 Herbe de flacq. 
 
 A common weed near habitations. 
 
 Bidens pilosa, Linn .; LC. Prod. v. 597. Xom. vnlg. Ville bague. 
 
 Common near habitations. 
 
 Tridax prociimbens, Linn.; LC. Prod. v. 679. 
 
 Abundant on the coralline limestone of Kodrignez and on the coral islets around. 
 Abrotanella rhyncbocarpa, Lalf. fit. Plate XXVIIa. 
 
 Herba pnsilla, pulvinata, glabra, caulibus dense confertis; folds imbricatis, stel- 
 latim patentibus recurvatis, late amplexicaulibns, lyrato-pinnatifidis v. pinnatipar- 
 titis, rarius et solum versus apicem ramulornm simjhicibns spathulatisque, aentis, 
 coriaceis, uninervhs, nervo proniinente; capitulis solitariis sessilibus, singulo 6-10- 
 floro; involucro 6-phyllo, bracteis ciliatis, exterioribus plurinerviis latioribus, in- 
 terioribus 2-3-nerviis angustioribus ; receptaculo foveolato ; horibus 3-4 exterioribus 
 femineis, interioribus hermaphroditis fertilibus; feminea corolla basi globosa, 
 
 3- dentata, stylo exserto brevitcr bifido ; hermaphrodita corolla 4-dentata; anthcris 
 inclnsis, ovoideis acutis, inappendiculatis ; stylo valido tubo coroll03 subtequilongo, 
 altc bifido, minis ciliatis; acheeniis obovatis, compressis, calvis, lente curvis, obscure 
 
 4- 5 angulatis, apice in rostrum primum tortum denium rectum elongate. 
 
 Caules caispitosi, 1-1^ poll, longi, inferne folds vetnstioribus dense obsiti. Folia 
 poll, longa, poll, lata, lobis erectis, rotnndatis, nervo prominente. Ccqdtula 
 I poll. lata. PractecB I poll. long03. Flores flavi. CoroUce dentibns tubns quad- 
 ruplo longior. Aclicenia ^ poll, longa. 
 
 G 2 
 
52 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 This iateresting little plant grows only on the coralline limestone, and there in 
 no great abundance. The young leaves are undivided and gradually become })in- 
 natifid as they get older. This is hardly to be considered a form of heterophylly 
 comparable to what is so common in many of the plants from the island. 
 
 The Ahrotanella, to which it is referred, originally founded by Cassini for a 
 
 species A. emargmata, brought by Gaudichand from the Ealkland Islands, now con¬ 
 tains about nine species, and these are all Australian, New Zealand, or Antarctic forms. 
 Tlie Rodriguez plant, while it closely resembles the other species of the genus, its 
 nearest ally apparently being A. {Ceratella) rosulata, Hook. fil. PI. Antarct. i. 25, a 
 species from Campbeirs islands, possesses a very remarkable peculiarity in the ovary 
 and fruit. The apex of the ovary and of the young fruit is prolonged into a beak, 
 which coils on itself upon the top of the ovary, making usually one complete turn, 
 and to its extremity is jointed the corolla tube. In the mature fruit this beak 
 becomes straightened out into a long process. The genus is unknown in the other 
 iMascarene islands. 
 
 Plate XXVIIa. Pig. 1. Capitulum enclosed in leaves. 2. Plower of ray with 
 outer involucral scale. 3. Plower of disk with inner involucral scale. 4. Plower 
 of disk in vertical section. 5. Achene with beak still coiled on the summit. 6. 
 Achene with beak straightened. 
 
 Senecio linearis, DC. Prod. vi. 375; S. Lingua, Poir.; DC. 1. c. ; S. salicifolius, 
 Pers.; DC. l.c. ; S. Boutoni, Baker FI. Maur. Scych. 181. 
 
 This plant is common on the island, but under two forms. When growing near 
 the sea the leaves and stems usually become more succulent and fleshy than they 
 are when the plant grows inland. 
 
 The species was founded by He Candolle on specimens from Mauritius in the 
 herbarium of the Museum at Paris. The type specimens I could not find for 
 comparison, nor did I find named specimens of S. Lingua., Poir., and N. salicifolius, 
 Pers. There are, however, specimens unnamed, both in the general herbarium and 
 in Jussieu’s herbarium from Mauritius and Bourbon, collected by Commerson, 
 which are identifiable with the descriptions of the above-mentioned sjaecies, S. 
 linearis, DC., S. Lingua, Poir., and A. salicifolius, Pers., and which are manifestly 
 mere insular variations of one species, to which the Rodriguez plant may also be 
 referred. There is also a specimen at Paris from Bourbon, collected by Abbe 
 Pourret and named in MS. S. horhonicus, Avhich is clearly this plant; and a 
 specimen of Cominerson’s from Madagascar is probal)ly the same. I have no 
 hesitation in uniting the four species in one. Baker, l.c., from want of sufiicient 
 information as to S. linearis, DC., describes the Rodriguez plant as A. Bouto)ii, 
 The species is exclusively Mascarene. 
 
 Sonchus oleraceus, Linn. sp. Plant. 1116; Eng. Dot. t. 810. Nom. vulg. 
 Lastron. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 53 
 
 Common. Two forms of this occur. When grown on coralline limestone it 
 becomes much stunted, and the leaves are exceedingly narrow and congested. The 
 leaves of this plant are frequently eaten as salad, and as a br^de. 
 
 In a letter to me at Hodriguez Mr. Horne mentioned that a collector in 18GI 
 brought to Mauritius a yellow flowered Achillea from Hodriguez, but I do not 
 know it. 
 
 CAMPANULACE.®. 
 
 Lobelia vagans, Balf. jil. 
 
 Annua; caulibus repentibus, tenuibus, gla1)ris ; foliis membranaceis, inferioribus 
 ovato-lanceolatis v. elliptico-ovato-acutis v. obovatis, basi cuneatis integrisque, 
 apice crenatis, breviter petiolatis, superioribus linearibus acutis v. obtusis retnsis 
 V. submucronatis subsessilibus crenato-serratis ; floribus solitariis in axillis foliorum 
 snperiorum, pedicellatis, pedicellis bracteis brevioribus ; calycis tubo obconico 
 laciniis subulatis sub-requilongo v. breviter excedente ; corollce tubo calycis lobis 
 quadruple longiore, lobo iuferiore obovato-oblongo acuto, superiore liueari; antheris 
 2 inferioribus apice barbatis, superioril)us pilosiusculis; stylo longo, stigmate 
 bilobato; capsula obovoidea. 
 
 Canlis late patens, gracilis. Folia 1-2 poll, longa (petiolo incluso J—poll.), 
 i-f poll, lata, superiora | poll. lata. Fedicelli adscendentes, poll, longi. Corolla 
 alba, ^ poll, longa, labio inferiore profunde inciso. Capsula tubo calycis triplo- 
 longior, 4, poll, longa. 
 
 Grows abundantly in the upper and shady parts of the valleys. Is very closely 
 allied to L. serpens, Lam. ; DC. Prod. vii. 308, and which I take to be the same as 
 L.filiforniis, Lam.; DC. Prod. vii. 368. It is distinguished, however, from these 
 species by the larger size of the flowers and its distinctly two-lobed stigma and the 
 much broader leaves. 
 
 Lobelia Cliffortiana, JFilld. ; DC. Frod. vii. 372. 
 
 Only a few plants on the shore at the mouth of the lliviere Grande. 
 
 PLUMBAGINE^. 
 
 Plumbago zeylanica, Linn.; DC. Frod. xii. 692; Dot. Beg. t. 23. 
 
 Verv common everywhere. 
 
 MYRSINACEiE. 
 
 Ardisia, sp. Nom. vulg. Bois de boeuf. 
 
 There are several forms of Ardisia growing in Pmdriguez. Unfoj-tunately they 
 were only in fruit during my visit, and my material is not sufficient for the deter¬ 
 mination of species. But there is certainly more than one. 
 
64 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 SAPOTACE.®. 
 
 Sideroxylon, sp. Nom. vulg. Bois des pommes. 
 
 This tree I obtained in fruit only. It is undonlitedly a Sideroxylon, and is not 
 improbably a new species. It has some resemblance to the Mauritian S. Bojeranimi, 
 DC. Prod. viii. 179, but differs from all the Mauritian species by its very large 
 fruit and seed, the former being as large as a pigeon’s egg. 
 
 EBENACE®. 
 
 Diospyros diversifolia, Siern in Trim. Journ. Bot. iv. 353. t. 172. Nom. vulg. 
 Bois d’eb^ne. 
 
 A not uncommon endemic heterophyllous tree, usually about 16-20 feet high. 
 The young leaves being narrow and linear, the older much broader. This hetero- 
 phylly in Diospyros is quite a novelty. Hiern 1. c. remarks, “ I am acquainted 
 “ with no parallel to this diversity of foliage in the case of any other species 
 “ throughout the order.” One seldom meets with a large tree. In all the large 
 ones I met with the dark heart wood was quite decayed, leaving a shell of newer 
 wood outside. I was told by inhabitants that this rotting of the centre always takes 
 place in this species after it attains a certain height. 
 
 OLEACE®. 
 
 Olea lancea, Lam.; DC. Brod. viii. 286. Nom. vulg. Bois tambalacoq. 
 
 This Mascarenc species is a common tree in Bodriguez. 
 
 In addition to the fore-mentioned, I have leaves of another very abundant small 
 tree, which is probably an Olea, and Baker, PI. Maur. Seych., makes it a variety 
 latifolia of Olea lancea, Lam. I doubt its being so, as the tree differs in habit and 
 general facies from Olea lancea, Lam., l)ut it is impossible to decide what it is 
 from my materials. It is known on the island as Bois d’olive petites feuilles. 
 
 APOCYNACE®. 
 
 Carissa Xylopicron, Bet. Th.; DC. Brod. viii. 333. Plate XXVIIb. Nom. vulg. 
 Bois sandal. 
 
 This Mascarene tree is remarkably heterophyllous. The youug leaves are small, 
 aliout in. long, spinose dentate on the margins, and with the apex obtuse or 
 slightly retuse; also the branchlets bear a number of interpetiolar spines, one between 
 each pair of leaves. In the adult the leaves are 1-2 in. long by |-1 in. broad, with 
 entire recurved margins and the apex deeply emarginate or obtuse, and there are no 
 spines or rarely on the branchlets. Between these two forms all stages are found. 
 This belongs to the first type of heterophylly referred to in my introductory remarks, 
 and is well represented in the jilate. 
 
 The tree is very common on the island. The Avood is very hard and dense, quite 
 like boxAvood, and is much used for making netting needles and such like articles. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 55 
 
 The wood is not unlike that of the Bois de ronde {Fsiadia rodrigueslana, Balf. hi .)3 
 hut the heart wood is of a much hrigditer yellow. The plant is abundant still on the 
 island, hut formerly existed in enormous quantity, for the limestone plains are in 
 many places strewn with dead branches and stems of it mixed with those of Bois de 
 ronde. 
 
 Plate XXVIIb. Pig. 1 . Twig from an adult plant with type form of leaf. 2 . 
 Twig from a young plant with small and spinose leaves. 3 . Twig from a young 
 shoot with smaller leaves, d. Plower hud. 5. Plower expanded. G. Corolla spread 
 out with stamens included. 7. Style. 8 . Ovary in transverse section. 1 , 2 , 3, 
 nat. size. Best magnified. Pig. 3 and the analyses are of Mauritian specimens. 
 
 Vinca rosea, Linn.; DC. Drod. viii. 382; Dot. JSIag. t. 248. Xom. vulg. 
 Chaponiere. 
 
 Of this there are the two varieties rosea and alhay known to the natives as 
 Cliaponih-e rouge and C. hlanc respectively—hotli abundant. The leaves are said 
 to make an excellent infusion for 1 )ronchitis and other chest affections. 
 
 ASCLEPIADACE^. 
 
 Tanulepis, Dalf. fit. 
 
 Calyx minutus, 5-partitus, l)asi iiitus 5-glandulosus. Corolla suhrotata, prof unde 
 5-fida, subvalvata. Corome squainje 5, lineari-lanceolafca), elongatoe, petalis suh- 
 sequilongse, antheras hreviter excedentes, suhincrassatjn, hasi connatoc, gynostegioque 
 adhcerentes. Stamina filamentis latis hrevihiisque hasi aunulo coronae affixa; 
 antherce apice cuspidatse, conniventes ; pollen granulosum, in quoque loculo in 
 massas duas suhcoliserens, appendicihus latis oiPicularihus corpusculorum longe 
 stipitatorum applicitmn. Stigma 5-gonum. FolUciiH divaricati, tenues, suhteretes, 
 suhcostati. Semina comosa.— Suffrutex voluhilis, glaher. Folia opposita, nitidula. 
 Cynuc laxe ramos£e, ad apices ramorum hreviter pedimculata 3 . Flores parvi, 
 pedicellati. Dractece minutissimoe. 
 
 T. Sphenophylla, Dalf. fil. Plate XXVIII. 
 
 Caulihus tenui])us; folds memhranaceis, Ijreviter petiolatis, lanceolatis acumiuatis 
 V. ohlanceolatis, hasi cuneatis, 1^-21 poll, longis (petiolo excluso f poll.), ' 3 -^ poll, 
 latis, integris, nitidis, suhtus pallidiorihus, peuniucrviis ; cymis paucifloris, pcdunculis 
 j ‘3 poll, longis, hracteis deciduis, pediceliis poll, longis; corolla^ lol)is ^ poll, 
 longis; stipite corpusculorum appendicem duplo cxccdcnte; foiliculis fusco-nigris, 
 glahris, 2-3 poll, longis, 5 seminihus compressis, hisulcatis, | poll, 
 
 longis. 
 
 This twiner is fairly abundant, and is also found on Prigate Island. Its nearest 
 congener is Drachylepis, W. and A., a monotypic East Indian genus, from which 
 the elongated corona scales, its inflorescence, and the arrangements of the stamens 
 exclude it. The Madagascar monotypic Darpanema, Dene, is also not far removed, 
 
56 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 l)ut tlie same cliaracters separate them. I only obtained the plant in fruit, and the 
 flowers are described from specimens sent home by Bouton. 
 
 Plate XXVIII. Pig. 1. Plower hud opened. 2. Flower expanded with a portion 
 of one of the corona scales removed. 3. Stamen seen from the inner side. 4. 
 Flower with corolla, corona, and stamens removed. 5. Corpuscles. 6. Follicles. 
 
 Sarcostemma viminale, JR. JBr.; DC. Drod. viii. 538. Nom. vulg. Liane cale. 
 Plate XXIX. Figs. 1-3. 
 
 Very abundant. The Bodriguez plant differs slightly from the type in having 
 puherulous not glalu'ous receptacles. 
 
 Plate XXIX. Fig. 1. Portion of a stem with inflorescence. 2. Flower expanded. 
 3. Flower still more magnified and with corolla and portion of one of the seales of 
 the inner corona removed. 
 
 Sarcostemma Odontolepis, JBaIf.Jil. Plate XXIX. Figs. 4-10. 
 
 Planta aphylla scandens v. decumhens, caulibus teretibus, glabris, carnosis, ad 
 nodos articulatis ibique squaniis minutis oppositis in loco foliorum instructis; 
 iimbellis solitariis ad nodos scssilibus breviterve pedunculatis v. terminalibus; 
 receptaculo palcis vestito; floribus brevitcr pedicellatis; calycis segmentis ovatis 
 V. suborbicularibus, concavis, margine ciliatis, extus puberulis; corolla profunde lobala, 
 laciniis oblongo-ellipticis glabris ; corona exteriore corollge adnata profunde 5-partita, 
 lobis tridentatis, singulo squaimu interiori adhajrente, dente centrali maximo; 
 corona interiore exteriorem triplo excedente, segmentis snperne saccatis dolabri- 
 formibus gynostegio subaequilougis ; stigmate apiculato, obscure bilobato, umhilicato. 
 
 Dedicelli subpuberuli, ,1-f poll, longi. CoroUcc lacinise (V poll, longse, calyce 
 quadruplo longiores. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Liane cale. 
 
 This plant resembles the foregoing species in almost every point save in the 
 flower, and therein it differs in the corona. In place of the sinuose-dentate cyathi- 
 form outer corona, cbaracteristic of Sarcostemma, and well seen in S. viminale, 
 B. Br., the outer corona consists of 5 scales, distinct except at the very ba'-e, each 
 tridentate, the central tooth being largest. These are connected with the inner 
 corona scales, which are twice as long as the outer scales, but shorter than the 
 gynostegium, whereas in S. viminale, B. Br., the inner scales are thrice the length 
 of the outer, and are longer than the gynostegium. This is a very important diffe¬ 
 rence in this family. But on examining a large series of flowers, I discovered one 
 in which there was an arrangement of the corona exactly half-Avay between the two 
 forms I have described. The cyathiforni outer corona of S. viminale. It. Br., was 
 divided about half-way down into five tridentate lobes, and the relations of length 
 between outer and inner scales was intermediate. This then connects the two forms. 
 It is then a question, hav^e we to deal with two or one species ? I rather incline 
 to the former view, that there are two distinct species, for we fiiid certain other 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 57 
 
 minute differences between them, and at Rodriguez I was led to suspect there might 
 be two species, from a certain difference in facies of the plant in different situa¬ 
 tions. However we consider them, the character of the genus must be slightly 
 emended. Should they turn out to be one species, we have here a species varying 
 beyond the generic limits. Acting on the opinion expressed, I have described a 
 new species of Sarcostem^iia. 
 
 Plate XXIX. Pig. 4. Portion of a stem bearing inflorescence. 5. Unopened flower 
 bud. 6. Flower expanded and magnified. 7. Flower still more magnified and 
 with corolla and portion of the scales of inner corona removed. 8. Pollen-masses. 
 9. Grynostegium. 10. Ovary in transverse section. 
 
 Tw'o species of Asclepiadaceous twuners are occasionally met with, but as I only 
 obtained them in leaf, and they are unlike any known Mascarene or Seychelles 
 species, it is impossible to determine them. 
 
 LOGANIACEiE. 
 
 Bnddleia madagascariensis, Lam. ; DC. Prod. x. 447 ; Bof. Mag. t. 2824. 
 
 The leaves of a plant, which seems to be this Mascarene species, occurs near 
 the dwellings of the early settlers. 
 
 BORRAGINACE^. 
 
 Tournefortia argentea, Linn.f.; DC. Prod. ix. 514. Xom. vulg. Voultie. 
 
 Common on the coralline limestone, on the shore of Rodriguez, and on most 
 of the coral islets. 
 
 Heliotropium (Heliophytum) indicum, Linn.; DC. Prod. ix. 556; Bot. Mag. t. 
 1837. Nom. vulg. Ilerbe a papillons. 
 
 An occasional weed. The juice of this is said to be an excellent vulnerary, and 
 also the infusion as a wash for ulcers. 
 
 Trichodesma zeylanicum, B. Br.; DC. Prod. x. 172; Bot. Mag. t. 4820. Nom. 
 vulg. Madame Tombe. 
 
 A common weed. 
 
 CONVOLVULACEiE. 
 
 Argyreia tiliaefolia, Bentli. et Hook. Gen. PI. ii. 869. 
 
 Is very common. 
 
 Ipomoea paniculata, B. Br. Prod. 486; Bot. Beg. t. 62; Batatas paniculata, 
 Choisy in DC. Prod. ix. 339. 
 
 A plant I obtained in leaf, which seems to l)e this, is common. 
 
 Ipomoea purpurea, Lam.; Pharbitis hispida, Choisy in PC. Prod. ix. 341, 
 
 Is not common. 
 
 21. 
 
 II 
 
58 
 
 BOTANY OF EODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Ipomoea fragrans, Boj. MSS.; Pharbitis fragrans, Boj. ; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 
 341. 
 
 A plant in leaf resembling tbis occurs on Grombrani and some of tbe other coral 
 islets. I never found tbis on tbe main island. 
 
 Ipomoea Nil, Both.; Pbarbitis Ml, Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 343. 
 
 On tbe coast in many places, and on tbe coral islets. 
 
 Ipomoea (Calonyction) muricata, FI. Ind. 499 (non Cav.); Choisy in DC. 
 
 Brod. ix. 353. 
 
 Very common. 
 
 Ipomoea Batatas, Lam. Nom. vulg. Patate or Batat. 
 
 Many varieties are cultivated, and it is tbe chief staple of food on tbe island, 
 being easily grown, and not affected by hurricanes. 
 
 Ipomoea Pes-Caprse, Sio.; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 349. Nom. vulg. Batatran. 
 
 Very common on tbe shores. In English Bay it grows mixed with Canavalia 
 ohtusifolia, DC., and it is difficult at sight to discover tbe one from tbe other. A 
 curious example of mimicry. 
 
 Ipomoea peltata, Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 359. 
 
 Only found at tbe top of valley of Biviere Coco, where it grows in great profusion, 
 covering tbe trees. 
 
 Ipomoea Turpethum, B. Br.; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 360; Bot. Beg. t. 279. 
 
 Occurs pretty frequently in tbe valleys. 
 
 Ipomoea tuberosa, Linn.; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 362 ; Bot. Beg. t. 768. 
 
 I have leaves of a twining plant very probably tbis species. It grows frequently 
 in tbe valleys. 
 
 Ipomoea obscura, Ker ; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 370; Bot. Beg. t. 239. 
 
 Very common on tbe shore. 
 
 Ipomoea leucantha, Jacq. ; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 382. 
 
 Very common on the coralline limestone. 
 
 Ipomoea palmata, Forsk.; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 386., 
 
 Common in the valleys. 
 
 Dichondra repens, Forst.; Choisy in DC. Brod. ix. 451. 
 
 Only on coralline limestone towards tbe south-west of tbe island. Usually along 
 with Hypoestes mconsqnGua, Balf. fil. and Selaginella Balfour% Baker. 
 
 SOLANACEiE. 
 
 Lycopersicum cerasiforme, DC. Brod. xiii. 1. 26. Nom. vulg. Pomme 
 
 d’amour. 
 
 Is cultivated and is seen near habitations occasionally. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 59 
 
 SolS/iiuni nigTuiUj Liuu. ^ Duucil in D(J. l?7'od, xiii. 1. 50. IVmn . vulg*. I3r5d.G 
 martin. 
 
 A very common plant, mucli used by the inhabitants as a hr5de. 
 
 Solanum indicum, Linn.; Bunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1. 309 ; IFt. Ic. t. 3d6. Nom. 
 vulg. Petite angliive. 
 
 Is not common. 
 
 Solanum macrocarpon, Linn.; Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1. 353. Norn, viilg. 
 Bringelle. 
 
 A specially Mascarene form not very common on the island. 
 
 Solanum Melongena, Lmn. ; JFf. III. t. 166. Norn. vnlo^. Gros hrino'elle. 
 
 In the vicinity of dwellings. 
 
 Solanum sanctum, Linn. ; Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1. 369. Norn. vnl^. Bringelle 
 
 O O 
 
 marron. 
 
 Very common in the vicinity of dwellings. 
 
 Pliysalis Peruviana, Lmn.; Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1. 440. Nom. vnlo*. 
 Pocke-pocke. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Capsicum frutescens, Linn.; Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1. 413. Nom. vulg-. Petit 
 piment. 
 
 Abundant everywhere. 
 
 Capsicum cordiforme. Mill.; Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1. 427. Nom. vnlg. 
 Gros piment. 
 
 Not common. 
 
 Leguat speaks of certain trees “ that hear a sort of pepper, and are not a little 
 “ like plum trees of a moderate size ; their leaves are much like that of the jessa- 
 '' mine; they hear their fruit in little hunches, and it did very well in our sauces.” 
 I suppose it is to one of these species of Capsicum, he refers. 
 
 Lycium tenue, TFilld., var. Sieberi, Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii, 1. 515. 
 
 Usually on the coralline limestone near the sea. Specially abundant on the coral 
 islets. In one spot at the top of the valley Eiviere de I’Est, I found this plant inland, 
 and it there had lost its stunted, short-hranched, rigid character, and formed a 
 widely-spreading, long and slenderly-branched plant. The leaves also were larger 
 and less fleshy. The description of this species answers my specimens, hut tliey 
 differ rather from the specimens named L. temie, Wilkh, in the herbarium at Kew. 
 It is a Cape species, hut the variety Sieheri is Mauritian. I have seen no type 
 specimen of the variety. The inland form of the Bodriguez plant most resembles 
 the Kew specimens of L. tenue, Willd. 
 
 Datura alba, Nees; Dunal in DC. Frod. xiii. 1, 541; IFt. Ic. t. 852. Nom. 
 vulg. Herhe du diahle. 
 
 A, frequent weed. 
 
60 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Nicotiana Tabacum, ; Dunal in DC, J^rod. 1. 557; Hayne Gewdchse 
 12. t. 41. jN’om. vulg. Tabac. 
 
 Cultivated and in some plaees now grows spontaneously. 
 
 SCEOPHULARIACE.®. 
 
 Herpestis Monuieria, II.B.K.; Dentil, in DC. Drod. x. 400; Dot. Mag. t. 2557. 
 
 Common in the streams towards the west end of the island where the woods have 
 been destroyed and the streams pass over barren plain. 
 
 ACANTHACEiE. 
 
 Barleria cristata, Linn.; Nees in DC. Drod. xi. 229; Wt. Ic. t. 453; Dot. Mag. 
 t. 1615. 
 
 Not at all uncommon near habitations and also in some of the more frequented 
 valleys. 
 
 Barleria Prionitis, Linn.; Nees in DC. Drod. xi. 237; Wt. Ic. t. 452. 
 
 Only found in the Champ de Koi near Port Mathurin, but there abundant. 
 
 Hypoestes rodriguesiana, Dalf.fil. Plate XXX. 
 
 Herba parva, ramosissima, glabra, ramis crassis lignosis; foliis longe petiolatis 
 ovato-lanceolatis, interne deltoideis, integris, subcoriaceis, substrigulosis ; racemis 
 breviter pedunculatis in axillis foliorum confertis, bracteis obovatis v. oblanceolatis 
 capitulis unifioris oppositis arete dispositis; inv^olucro tubuloso, subventricoso, tetra- 
 phyllo, ad medium discrete, lobis inaequalibus, exterioribus longioribus ovato-acutis, 
 extus plaga lineari lateraliter notatis, interioribus lanceolatis brevioribus; calyce 
 brevi, extus liispidulo, laciniis tubo brevioribus, ciliatis; corolla profunde bifida, 
 pilosa, labiis tubo subaequilongis, superiore oblongo, inferiore tridentato v. trifido; 
 staminibus 2, filamentis exsertis ; ovario oblongo, compresso, glabro ; stylo liliformi, 
 exserto. 
 
 Ilerba humilis, cortice albido. Folia 1-1^ poll, longa; petioluspoll, longus. 
 Capitula uniflora, opposita decussataque, brevissime pedunculata ; involucrum 
 f poll, longum, lobis integris hispidulis. Calyx ^ poll, longus. Corolla uncia longior, 
 eburnea, labio superiore integro obtuso v. acuto. Filamenta glandulosa; anthera 
 oblonga. 
 
 A rare plant and not far removed from the Madagascar II. Dojeriana, DC. 
 Prod. xi. 507, but distinguished by its densely clustered racemes, unequally lobed 
 involucre, and large flowers. I only found one plant on the top of Malartie, one of 
 the highest points on the island, growing in a very exposed situation, which may 
 account for the dwarfed growth, for it did not rise more than 6 inches from the 
 ground. 
 
 Plate XXX. Pig. 1. Plower bud enclosed in involucre. 2. Involucre opened out 
 with calyx included. 3. Calyx spread out. 4. Plower expanded. 5. Corolla 
 
18. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 61 
 
 opened out with audroeciiim and gyngeciiim. 6. Stamen detached. 7. Transverse 
 section of ovary. 8. Vertical section of ovary. 
 
 Hypoestes inconspicua, Balf.fiL 
 
 Herha tenuis, caule repente valde articulate, ad nodes radicante; foliis oppositis 
 distantibus, ovalibus v. obovatis, obtusis v. sul)acutis, strigosis, integris, inferno in 
 petiolum submquilongum longioremve attenuatis; capitulis solitariis axillarilnis 
 subsessilibus, l)racteis nullis ; involucre unifloro, strigoso tetraphyllo, laciniis lineari- 
 lanceolatis insequalibus usque ad medium connatis, exterioribus dimidio longi- 
 oribus; calyce brevissinio, lobis lanceolatis acuminatis, involucre multo breviore; 
 corolla involucre longiore ; cset. ign. 
 
 Cemlis ramosissimus, glaber sed extremitate strigosus. Folia poll, longa; 
 Fetloliis fV poll, longus. Involmrum poll, longum. Calyx poll, longus. 
 
 A very small plant discovered on one small patch of coralline limestone at the 
 western end of the island growing along with Dichondra repens^ Torst., and Selagi- 
 nella, Balfouri, Baker. It has some affinity with H. serpens^ B. Br.; Nees in DC. 
 Prod, xi. 501, and K. Alsine, Nees in DC. Prod. xi. 502, but is distinguished by its 
 non-pubesceiit involucre and very minute calyx. 
 
 MYOPORINEiE. 
 
 Myoporum mauritianum, A. DC. Brod. xi. 711. 
 
 A very curious Mascareue plant. Bare in P^odriguez, only a few plants having 
 been seen on the coralline limestone on the shore in Anse Coton at the east end 
 of the island. A. De Candolle described the species from Mauritian specimens 
 in 8ieber’s herbarium, mcluding it doul)tfully in Myoporum. Por whilst most 
 characters place it there it is peculiar in having a distinctly l-lobed stigma. Tiie 
 Bodriguez plant differs from De Candolle’s description in its 5, not l-lohed corolla. 
 
 VERBENACE^. 
 
 Nesogenes decumbens, Balf.fiL Plate XXXI. 
 
 ITerba diffusa perennis, ramis laxis, oj^positis v. suboppositis, teretil)us, tenuibus, 
 divaricatis, humifusis, glabris sed versus extremitatem biseriatim pilosis ; foliis oppo¬ 
 sitis, lanceolatis v. rhomboideis acutis, integris, margine ciliatis, basi in petiolum 
 brevem attenuatis, siccitate non nigrescentibus; floribus in cymas I-2-floras 
 axillares dispositis, pedicellis brevissimis pubescentibus; calyce ainplo, } poll, longo, 
 alte 5-dentato, dentibus acutissimis crenatis, extus intusque glandulosis ; corollm 
 lobis subsequalibus, rotundatis, tubo quintuplo v. sextuplo brevioribus; antheris 
 oblongis ; fructu Isevi compresso, apice hispido, basi glabro, stylo mucronato calyce 
 cincto. 
 
 Caulis ab basi ramosus. Folia breviora |-f poll, longa, poll, lata ; petiolus 
 
 poll, longus. Calyx \ poll, longus, laciniis tubo mquilongis. Antliera oblonga. 
 Ovarium ovoideuin, stylo filiformi incluso. 
 
62 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Only foniicl in one place, on a patch of coralline limestone about f of a mile 
 from the sea, at the west end of the island, close to where Sypoestes inconspicua, 
 Balf. fih, and Dichondra repens, Porst., were found. 
 
 A most interesting plant belonging to a hitherto Polynesian monotypic genus. 
 The other species, N. Euphrasioides, Hook, and Arn., was first described from 
 Whitsunday Island in Botany of Beechey’s Voyage 67, and there doubtfully referred 
 to Myoporum. De Candolle, Prod. xi. 703, constituted the genus Nesoyenes for 
 that species including it in Myoporaceoi. But it is now referred by Bentham 
 and Hooker, Gen. Plant iii. 1141, to Verhenacece and placed near to Spmdo- 
 thamnus. In Kew herbarium are specimens from Sow Island, Chain Island, and 
 one or two islands of the Dangerous Archipelago, so that the species is probably 
 common there. But it is curious that another species should occur so sparingly in 
 Hodriguez, an island almost antipodal. 
 
 Plate XXXII. Pig. 1. Expanded flower. 2. Corolla and androecium spread 
 out. 3. Detached stamens. 4. Gynaecium. 5. Apex of style. 6. Emit enclosed 
 in calyx. 7. Pruit removed from calyx. 8. Transverse section of fruit. 9. Ver¬ 
 tical section of fruit. All magnified. 
 
 A species of Lent ana was shown to me in Mauritius by Mr. Horne, who informed 
 me it came from Hodriguez. I found no such plant there, which is strange, as 
 species of Lantana usually grow so freely and spread so widely it is not likely it 
 should be overlooked. 
 
 Stachytarpheta indica, Valil; Schauer in EC. Erod. xi. 564. Nom. vulg. Queue 
 des rats. 
 
 A very common weed. The juice is said to have a styptic action, and is often 
 used for wounds. 
 
 Premna serratifolia, Linn.; Schauer in EC. Erod. xi. 632. Nom. vulg. Bois 
 sureau. 
 
 Not at all uncommon. 
 
 Clerodendron laciniatum, Balf.jll. Plate XXXII. 
 
 Prutex V. arbor parva ; foliis oppositis, petiolatis, coriaceo-membranaceis, poroso- 
 punctatis, adultis ovatis v. ovato-oblongis, acutis, basi subdeltoideis, integris, glabris, 
 subtus pallidis, juvenilibus filiforme-tripiniiatipartitis segmentis distantibus puber- 
 ulis ligulatis obtusis, per formas varias in adultam transeuntibus ; cymis axillaribus, 
 paucifloris, bis trifidis, patentibus, breviter pedunculatis, bracteolis miiiiitissimis; 
 calyce cupuliformi truncato, ore integro v. obscure lobato, glabro, demum patulo; 
 corolla infundibuliformi calycem sextuplo excedente, tubo intus resino-papillato, 
 laciniis obtusis tubo brevioribus; genitalibus breviter exsertis. 
 
 Rami teretes, cinerei, apice puberuli. Folia heteromorpha graveolentia, 2-3 
 poll, longa ; petiolus 1 poll, longus. Cymi corymbosi, 2-3 poll. diam.; pedunculi 
 G“fV longi; pedicelli breves pofl- longi. Calyx poll, longus. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 63 
 
 Nom. vulg. Bois cabri. 
 
 A small endemic fairly abundant tree exliil)iting an extreme form of lieteropliylly 
 well represented in the plate. It is very closely allied to the Mauritian and 
 Bourbon species, C. lieterophyllum, B. Br., l3ut its larger pinnatipartite leaves on 
 the young plant and relative size of the parts of the flower sufflcicntly distinguish 
 them. 
 
 This small tree is easily recognised by its disagreeable odour, which has occasioned 
 its popular name. The wood is very white and close-grained, but is not put to 
 great use, save for burning, probably on account of the odour. T have no doubt 
 this is the tree to which Les-uat refers when he savs, “ There is a tree we call the 
 “ Nasty tree because it stunk. ’Tis the best wood of all for carpenter’s use, but 
 “ ’twas of no service to for us it stinks so, that it makes all the places about 
 “ it smell of it, and the smell is very offensive.” Some have thought he refers to 
 tlie Bois puant (FoetkUa mauritiana, Lam.), but the odour of that tree though 
 exceedingly objectionable is only apparent when the sun shines upon it, and is 
 evanescent, and not at all like the persistent odour which the Bois cabri emits. 
 
 Plate XXXII. Pig. 1. Twig with flowers. 2. Leaves from adult, typical form. 
 3. Leaf from a young tree. 4. Leaf from a still younger tree. 5. Twig with leaves 
 from a very young tree, or from an adventitious shoot. 6. Plower bud. 7. Ex¬ 
 panded flower. 8. Corolla and androecium opened out. 9. Anthers detached. 
 10. Gvnsecium enclosed in calvx. II. Transverse section of immature fruit. 12. 
 Vertical section of immature fruit. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, natural size. Best magnified. 
 
 LABIAT.®. 
 
 Ocimum canum, Sims; Bentli. in LC. Prod. xii. 32 ; Lot, Ilacj. t. 2452. 
 
 A few plants in the vicinity of Port Mathurin. 
 
 Salvia coccinea, Linn.; Lentil, in LC. Prod. xii. 343. 
 
 Is very common m the valleys. 
 
 Stachys, sp. 
 
 A plant which is apparently a species of Stachys was found in leaf only in the 
 valley of Biviere Grande des Bamboux (Cascade). 
 
 Leonurus Sibiricus, Linn.; Lenth. in LC. Prod. xii. 501. 
 
 Prequently found near dwellings. 
 
 PLANTAGINE.®. 
 
 Plantago major, ; Lone in LC. Prod. xiii. 1. 694; Eng. Lot. 2nd edit, 
 
 t. 1162. 
 
 This occurs abundantly near the top of Valley Biviere Baleine on the south side 
 of the island along with a species of Lumex. 
 
04 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 NYCTAGINACE^. 
 
 Mirabilis Jalapa, Linn.; Choisij in DC. Drod. xiii. 2. 427 ; Dot. Hag. t. 371. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Belle de nuit. 
 
 Occasionally found near habitations. 
 
 Pisonia viscosa, Balf. fit. Plate XXXIII. 
 
 Arbor inermis; foliis petiolatis, ovatis v. obovatis, obtusis v. acutis v. breviter 
 cuspidatis, basi deltoideis, membranaceis, subrepandis, primum subpuberulis demuin 
 scaberulis, siccitate nigrescentibns ; petiolo tenui; J panicula corymbosa in axillis 
 foliorum terminalinm oriente, brnnneo-pubescente, densa, pedimcnlo compresso, 
 bracteolis miniitis deciduis; periantbio infundibuliformi, extus piloso, breviter 5 
 dentato, dentibus reflexis ; staminibus 10 exscrtis ; ? panicula laxe lateque patenti, 
 pedicellis erecto-patentibus ; perigonio elongate, 5-angulato, angulo singulo tuber- 
 culis brevibns micinatis glandulosis seriatim instructo. 
 
 Arbor parva, ramis validis. Folia 3-4 poll, longa, 1^-2 poll, lata; petiolus ^ 
 poll, longns. S Fanicula 1^~2^ poll, diam., folia superans; pedunculiis ^ poll, 
 longus; bracteolse subulatse glandnloso-pubescentes; flores subsessiles. Ferian- 
 iliiiun ^ poll, longuin, tube extus papillis subrigidis erectis 5-seriatis instructo. 
 Stamina basi coalita; antbera rotundata. Ovarium breviter stipitatum; stylus 
 crassus; stigma capitatum subfimbriatum. ? 6-8 poll. diam.; pedicelli 
 
 poll, longi. Ferigonium 4 poll, longuin. Fructds loculus semine impletus. 
 
 Xom. vulg. Bois mapou. 
 
 Tins tree is very abundant on a small ledge of coralline limestone on the west 
 side of Prigate Island, where it is the favourite nesting place of the Pou, but it is 
 not so abundant on the main island. The wood is very soft, and of no practical 
 value. The plant has some affinity with F. ovalifoUa, DC. Prod. xiii. 2. 441, a 
 Mauritian species of which the Mauritian P. lanceolata, DC. Prod. xiii. 2. 442, 
 is also probably a form, but is distinguished by the structure of the flowers, and 
 the bristly fruit with the seed filling up ilie whole cavity. 
 
 Plate XXXIII. Pig. I. Male flowers. 2. The same cut open. 3. Portion of 
 female inflorescence. 4. Single female flower. 5. Tlie same more enlarged in 
 transverse section. 6. Embryo. Pig. 3 nat. size. Best enlarged. 
 
 Bcerhaavia diffusa, lAnn.; Choisy in DC. Frod. xiii. 2. 452. 
 
 IVidely spread in the island; when growing on the coralline limestone it has a 
 more stunted and woody habit. 
 
 polygonacea:. 
 
 Rumex crispus, Linn .; Jleissn. in DC. Frod. xv. 44. 
 
 A plant exceedingly closely allied to this, if it be not identical, grows abundantly 
 with Flantago majoi\ Linn., in the valley of Biviere Baleine. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 65 
 
 AMARANTHACE^. 
 
 Amaranthus tristis, Linn.; 3Ioq. In DC. JProd. xiii. 2. 260; TFt. Ic. tt. 514, 
 713. Nom. vulg. BrMe malal)ar. 
 
 A^ery common near habitations, and is yery much used as a hrede by the 
 inhabitants. 
 
 .ffirua congesta, Balf. fil. 
 
 Herl)a perennis, dense csespitosa, ramosissima, pulvinata, ramis firmis lignosis 
 humifusis; foliis alternis petiolatis, ohovato-spatlmlatis, ohtusis v. acutis, subcori- 
 aceis, glal)ris, juniorihiis suhtus pilosis; spicis ohlongis v. suhrotimdatis, in axillis 
 villosis foliornm superiorum sessili])us solitariis erectis, hracteolis deltoideis perian- 
 thio breviorihus, glabris ; perianthii segmentis oblongo-lanceolatis nninerviis, 
 exterioribus duobus latioribus pilosiusculis, interioribus tribiis angustioribus denseque 
 pilosis; antheris rotimdis ; staminodiis minutissimis ; utriculo compresso sub- 
 orbiculari glabro; semine intequaliter reniformi, minute tuberculato, margine obtuso. 
 
 Herba pusilla, ramis patentibus usque ad 2-3 poll. Folia poll, longa. Spicce 
 poll, longae. Ferianthii segmenta poll, longa bracteolas albidas dimidio 
 excedentia. Semen nitidum nigrum. 
 
 A small tufted plant growing only on coralline limestone, along with such j)lants 
 as Ahrotanella rliyncliocarpa.^'^dFi. til., and OldenJandia Sieheri, Baker var. congesta, 
 and frequent on the coral islets of the reef. 
 
 Achyranthes aspera, Linn.; Mog. in LC. Proc/. xiii. 2. 314 ; Wt. Ic. 1777. Nom. 
 Yulg. Herbe I’argent. 
 
 Very common weed. 
 
 Achyranthes argentea, Lam.; Ilog. in L)C. Frod. xiii. 2. 315; Sihtli. FI. Grcec. 
 t. 244. Nom. vulg. Herbe I’argent. 
 
 Occurs on the coralline limestone near the shore and on the coral islets. 
 Perhaps is a mere form of the foregoing. An infusion of the root of Herbe 1’argent 
 is said to be of great service as a cure for cough. The juice of the leaf is a vulnerary 
 of great repute. 
 
 Alternanthera sessilis, P. Br.; Moq. in DC. Frod. xiii. 2. 357 ; TFt. Ic. t. 727. 
 
 A common weed. 
 
 CHENOPODIACEAi:. 
 
 Chenopodium ambrosioides, Linn.; Moq. in DC. Frod. xiii. 2. 72. TFt. Ic. 
 t. 1786. 
 
 Is an occasional weed in waste ground in the vicinity of Port Mathurin. 
 
 BASELLACE.®. 
 
 Basella rubra, Linn. ; Moq. in DC. Frod. xiii. 2. 222. Nom. vulg. Br^de d’angole. 
 
 Is cultivated and used much as a br^de. 
 
 21. 
 
 I 
 
66 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 LAURACE.®. 
 
 Persea g'ratissima, Gdrtn.; Meissn, in DC. Drod. xv. 1. 52; Wt. Ic. t. 1823; 
 Dot. Mag. t. 4580. Nom. vulg. Avoca. 
 
 A few trees at tlie top of valley E;ivi5re Palmiste, near the site of some old 
 dwellings. 
 
 Tetranthera laurifolia, Jacg. Sort. Schoen. t. 113; Meissn. in DC. Drod. xv. 
 1. 178; T. apetala, Roxb. Cor. t. 147. Nom. vnlg. Bois Zozo. 
 
 Planted near Port Matliurin. 
 
 Cassytha filiformis, ; Meissn. in DC. xv. 1. 255; Wt. Ic. t. 1847. 
 
 Nom. vnlg. Liane sans fin. 
 
 Very abundant, covering the ground and trees in many places. 
 
 URTICACE®. 
 
 Obetia ficifolia, Caud. Atl. Bon. t. 82. Nom. vnlg. Pigue marron. 
 
 Occasionally found in the upper parts of the valleys. 
 
 Pilea Balfouri, Baler FI. Maur. Seych. 276. Plate XXXIV. 
 
 Herba parvula monoica perennis glaherrima, caule brevi 4-gono hasi csespitose 
 ranioso, ramis patentihus oppositis, exsiccatis cystolithiferis; stipulis deltoideis 
 minutissimis; foliis ohlongis rhomhoideis, acutis v. acuminatis, hasi cuneatis inte- 
 grisque, apice profunde inciso-crenatis, triplinerviis, nervis usque ad apicem pro- 
 ductis, laminis exsiccatis memhranaceis, paginis utrisque cystolithis linearihus sufful- 
 tis; cyniis patentihus, multifloris, hreviter pedunculatis, axillarihus, petiolo hrevi- 
 orihus; florihus hreviter pedicellatis; i> perianthio hilohato, lohis concavis 
 suhcucullatis acutis; ? achgeniis Igevihus, acute marginatis, compressis, ovoideis, 
 vix segmentum intermedium perigouii superantihus. 
 
 Bami late patentes. Folia 1-4 poll, longa, f-J poll, lata, opposita, internodiis 
 longis usque ad 2 poll.; petiolus f-1^ poll, longus. S Alahastrus -jV poll, longus, 
 exsiccatus cystolithiferus. Calycis lohi ^ poll, longi. 
 
 Common in the shady and moist spots in the upper part of valleys. This is a 
 near ally of P. cimeiformiSi Wedd. in DC. Prod. xvi. 1. 133, a Mauritian species, 
 hut is distinguished hy its habit, longly petiolate leaves, and spreading inflorescence. 
 
 Plate XXXIV. Pig. 1. Portion of male inflorescence. 2. Male flower opened. 
 3. Perianth of female flower. 4. Pemale flower. 
 
 MORE®. 
 
 Artocarpus integrifolia, Linn. Suppl. 412; Boxb. Cor. t. 250; Bot. Mag. tt. 
 2833, 2834. Nom. vnlg. Jacque. 
 
 Prequent near habitations. There are said to he two varieties, Jacque labou and 
 Jacque blanc, hut I never found any plant which could he considered a variety. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 67 
 
 Ficus consimilis, Baker FI. Maur. Seych. 286. Nom. vulg. La fouclie. 
 
 Is very common. The hark is said to he astringent and the juice good for warts. 
 The hast layers make excellent cordage which is much used. The fruit is not edible. 
 The wood is very hard and tough. 
 
 Ficus rubra, Vahl. var. amblyphylla, Baker FI. Maur. Seych. 285. Nom. vulg. 
 La fouche rouge or La fouclie petite feuille. 
 
 Common. The fruit of this tree is said to he edible. I have followed Baker, 
 1. c., regarding this plant and the preceding. My specimens are not sufficient to 
 allow of a very satisfactory determination. 
 
 Leguat speaks of “a wonderful tree whose branches are so round and so thick 
 ‘‘ ’tis impossible for the sunbeams to penetrate through it. Some of these trees 
 ‘‘ are so big that two or three hundred people may stand under them and he sheltered 
 from the sun or the weather. The vast extent of it is occasioned thus. Some 
 “ of the great branches naturally tend downwards, and reaching the ground, take 
 “ root and become new trunks themselves which make a sort of little forest.” 
 
 He refers evidently to a species of Ficus, and gives a figure of it, but I do not 
 know to what species, certainly neither of those above mentioned, for he describes 
 it more particularly :— 
 
 “ The Bodrigo Kastas (for I sought to keep the Indian name at least in the 
 Indies) hear leaves as broad as one’s hand, pretty thick and somewhat like that of 
 a lilach or heart in shape, they are softer than satin to touch. Their flower is wliite 
 and smells well. Their fruit is red and round, and as big as a black damask plum. 
 Their skin is hard and within it is a thin seed, a little like that of a fig. The fruit 
 is not prejudicial to health, but ’tis insipid. The hatts commonly feed on it, and 
 multitudes of them nest in the tufted branches of the tree.” 
 
 I found no species which would answer this description, which if accurate 
 indicates a species formerly extant, now extinct, or at least of which all the large 
 individuals are destroyed, only young and inconspicuous ones left. 
 
 Mr. Horne showed me in the Botanic Gardens at Pamplemousses, Mauritius, a 
 third species of Ficus which he said Mr. Duncan got from Bodriguez, hut I do not 
 know what this is. 
 
 EUPHORBIACE^. 
 
 Euphorbia pilulifera, Linn.; Boiss. in BC. Frod. xv. 2. 21. 
 
 A common weed. 
 
 Euphorbia thymifolia, Bunn.; Boiss. in BC. Frod. xv. 2. 47. 
 
 Common specially on coralline limestone. 
 
 Euphorbia daphnoides, Balf.Jil. 
 
 Suffrutex caule tenui, ramulis lignosis teretihus; foliis ad apicem ramulorum 
 confertis, hreviter petiolatis, ohlanceolatis v. anguste o])longis, ohtusis, mucronatis, 
 
 I 2 
 
68 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 tenuiter coriaceis, glabris, cito deciduis, exstipulatis ; cymis terminalibus, peduncii- 
 latis, bracteis 2 magnis coriaceis ovali])us v. suborbicularibus mucronatis v. retusis v. 
 eraarginatis; iiivolucris campanulatis, breviter pedicellatis, glabris, lobis brevibus, 
 glaiidulis 5 ssepe rubris rotundatis v. limatis poroso-punctatis integris ; stylo brevi; 
 capsula glabra sub-depressa trisulcata transverso diametro majore, coccis paullum 
 coinpressis ; semine glabro, irregiilariter papillato, ovoideo. 
 
 Suffnitex glaber, liabitii Daphnes. Folia 2-4 jJoll. longa, poll. lata. Bractece 
 ultimje poll, longae; pedicelU glabri, ^ poll, longi. Involucrum ^ poll, longum. 
 Capsula ^ poll. diam. Stylus poll, lougus. Semen poU- longum. 
 
 Not a common plant. Only found in the valley Riviere de TEst, and on the 
 flanks of the Mount au Sel. It forms a very handsome undershrub and of it there 
 are two varieties, one with red glands in the flower, whilst in the other they are 
 uncoloured. 
 
 Euphorbia peploides, Gouan; Boiss. in DC. Brocl. xv. 2. 141. 
 
 In waste ground near dwellings. 
 
 Securinega durissima, Gmel.; Mull. Arg. in DC. Brod. xv. 2. 447. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Bois dur. 
 
 A tree, apparently referable to this Mascarene species is very abundant on the 
 island. I only obtained specimens in leaf, which are therefore not fully determin¬ 
 able. 
 
 Phyllanthus Niruri, Linn.; Mull. Arg. in DC. Brod. xv. 2. 406. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Ananelle. 
 
 Common around Port Mathurin. 
 
 Phyllanthus dumetosus, Boir.; Mull. Arg. in DC. Brod. xv. 2. 398. 
 
 Abundant in Anse Baleine. This is one of the plants Commerson brought from 
 Rodriguez, where it is endemic. 
 
 Phyllanthus Casticum, Willem.; 3Iull. Arg. in DC. Brod. xv. 2. 348. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Castique. 
 
 Not uncommon in many places. Many forms of this Mascarene tree occur, 
 varying slightly in the leaves, but all referable to the one type. Is said to be a 
 powerful astringent. 
 
 Manihot utilissima. Bold.; Mull. Arg. in DC. Brod. xv. 2. 1064; Jatropha 
 Manihot, Bot. Mag. 3071. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Manioc. Cassava. 
 
 Commonly cultivated. There are several varieties which grow well when 
 planted in a dry soil, otherwise the roots rot. It is always planted in sheltered 
 situations on the hill slopes. Some varieties ripen in 3 months, others not for 14. 
 The roots are boiled whole, or ground down and made into small round cakes known 
 as Coup de poing manioc, or large flat ones called Gullet manioc. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 69 
 
 Ricinus communis, Linn.; Hull. Arg. in DC- Lrod. xv. 2. 1017; Lot. Hag. 
 t. 2209. Nom. vulg. Tang-Tang. 
 
 Torms dense thickets in many places, and in some places produces a spiny fruit; 
 in other places the fruit is quite smooth. 
 
 Claoxylon parviflorum, A. Juss.; Hull. Arg. in LC. Lrocl. xy. 2. 785. 
 
 A tree greatly resembling this Mascarene species occurs on the island, hut as I 
 only obtained it in leaf, it is not fully determinable. 
 
 PIPERACE^. 
 
 Peperomia hirta, Lalf.jil. 
 
 Herba repens pilosa, caule simplici v. ramoso, e nodis radicante; folds oppositis, 
 petiolatis, ellipticis v. oblongo-ellipticis v. obovatis, 5-nerviis, utrinque villosis, ner- 
 vulo obscuro juxta marginem currente, petiolo villoso. Cset. ign. 
 
 Caules pedali minores poll, crassi. | poll, longa; petiolus poll, 
 
 longus. 
 
 Discovered within a few yards of the summit of Mount Limon, and nowhere 
 else seen. Its nearest affinity is with P. elUptlca, Dietr.; C.DC. in DC. Prod. xvi. 
 1. 440, a Mauritian species from which its pilose character sufficiently separates it. 
 Of this plant I have only leaves, and I am indebted to M. Casimir de Candolle for 
 the specific determination. 
 
 Peperomia reticulata, Lalf. fil. Plate XXXV. 
 
 Ilerba carnosa repens, caule simplici v. uniramoso, in parte inferiore e nodis radi- 
 'cante, versus apicem adscendente; foliis oppositis petiolatis, sunimis ternis, elliptico- 
 rhomboideis, apice emarginulatis v. acutis, utrinque glabris, 5-nerviis, et reticulato- 
 venulosis, nervulo obscuro juxta marginem currente ; amentis solitariis, axillaribus, 
 folia terminalia superantibus, breviter pedunculatis, bracteis subrotundato-peltatis, 
 breviter stipitatis ; ovario globoso immerso, stigniate umbilicato, prominente, glabro. 
 
 Caules -|-1 ped. loiigi, poll, crassi. Folia 1-2 poll, louga; petiolus poll, 
 longus. Amenta 2-4 poll, longa, ^ poll, crassa; pedunculus glabrus petiolum 
 superans. Fructus poll. diam. 
 
 A small trailing plant not uncommon in the shady parts of the valleys. It is 
 nearly allied to an Indian species, P. dindijgulensis, Miq.; C.DC. in DC. Prod, 
 xvi. 1. 442, but differing in the glabrous leaves, shorter petioles, and non-puberulous 
 stigma. 
 
 Plate XXXV. Pig. 1. Portion of spike. 2. Bract. 3. Plower. 4. Stamen 
 detached. 5. Emit in vertical section. All magnified. 
 
 Peperomia Rodriguezi, Lalf. fil. 
 
 Ilerba ramosissima, carnosa, repens, caulibus ad nodes radicantibus subpilosis ; 
 
70 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 foliis oppositis, petiolatis, obovato-ellipticis, basi cuneatis, obtusis utrinque glabris, 
 ciliolatis, subtus albiclo-palliclis subtiliter 3-5 nerviis enervulosis, petiolo piloso. 
 Caet. ign. 
 
 Ccmles subpedales, poll- crassi. Folia poll, longa; petioliis poll, 
 
 longus. 
 
 This small species I found only on the southern slopes of Mount Piton creeping 
 over the surface of large boulders. Its nearest ally is P. Ventenati, Miq.; O.DC. 
 in DC. Prod. xvi. 1. 446, an East Indian species. I only obtained the plant in leaf, 
 and should not myself have ventured on a specific determination; but M. Casimir 
 de Candolle has kindly examined the specimens, and pronounced it a novelty. 
 
 LORANTHACE.®. 
 
 Viscam tsenioides, Comm.; DC. Frocl. iv. 283. 
 
 Only in the valley of Pivi^re Baleine, and abundant there on the branches of 
 Fernelia hiixifolia, Lam. This plant is peculiar to the Mascarene Islands. 
 
 MUSACE®. 
 
 Musa paradisiaca, Linn.; Trew Fliret. tt. 18-20 ; Red. Lil. t. 443. Nom. vulg. 
 Banane. Cultivated. 
 
 Musa sapientum, Linn. ; Trew Ehret. tt. 21-23. Nom. vulg. Banane. 
 Cultivated. 
 
 Ravenala madagascariensis, Sonnerat Voy. ii. 223. tt. 124-6; Jacq^. Rort. Schoen. 
 t. 93; Urania speciosa, Willd. ; Eoj. Rort. ILanr. 333. Nom. vulg. Bavenal. 
 
 A few trees near dwellings of old settlers. 
 
 ORCHIDACE®. 
 
 Mr. S. Le M. Moore has kindly determined the Orchids. 
 
 Oberonia brevifolia, Lindl. Gen. and Sqr Orcli. 16; Fol. Orcli. No. 36. 
 
 Not very common. Only found in valley Biviere Baleine on Fernelia huxifolia, 
 Lam., along with Viscum tcBnioides, Comm. 
 
 Bulbophyllum incurvum, Thouars Orcli. Afr. t. 95. 
 
 A Mascarene plant not uncommon on the branches of trees. 
 
 Aeranthus arachnites, Lindl. Rot. Reg. suh. t. 817; Rot. Mag. t. 6034. Var. 
 Balfourii. Leaves 10 in. long; lateral sepals 1|- in. long. 
 
 A distinct variety of this Mascarene species. It is very common on the branches 
 of trees. 
 
 Listrostachys Aphrodite, Ralf. fil. and S. Moore in Raker FI. Maur. Seych. 
 354. Plate XXXVI. 
 
 Caulibiis erectis, validis, ^-1 ped. altis; foliis subimbricatis, carnosis, lineari- 
 oblongis, oblique-emarginatis, 2J-3 poll, longis, \ poll, latis v. latioribus; racemis 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 71 
 
 adscendentibus foliis oppositis, fere 5 poll, longis, squamis nonnullis lagis lentis 
 scariosis vaginantibus infra fiores vestitis ; bracteis rotundatis, ^ poll, longis ; sepalis 
 lanceolatis, aciiminatis, fere ^ poll, longis; petalis brevioribns, linearibus, labello 
 ovato-rotnndato, 3-lobato, lobis lateralibus crenulatis, infra circnm columnam con- 
 voliitis, lobo centrali auguste-lineari, integro vix poll, longo ; calcare ^2 longo 
 fere recto; polliniis oblongo-ovoideis, caudicnlis linearibus leviter in glandulam 
 ovatam attennatis ; lobis rostelli verticaliter resupinatis. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Pabame. 
 
 An endemic plant only occasionally met with on stems and branches of trees. 
 
 Plate XXXVI. Pig. 1. Plower bud partly open. 2. Pront view of expanded 
 flower. 3. Side view of column. 
 
 Angrsecum, sp. near A. caulescens, TJionars. 
 
 Too far advanced for description. A very common plant. 
 
 AMARYLLIDACE.®. 
 
 Crinum asiaticum, Linn.; Kunth. Lniuin. v. 547; Lot. 3Iag. t. 1073. Norn, 
 vulg. Pleur de lis. 
 
 Very abundant at the mouth of the Piviere aux Huitres, and also near Mont 
 Plaisir in the centre of the island. 
 
 Agave americana, Linn.; Ljiintli. Lniuin. v. 819; Lot. ISIag. t. 3654 is a variety. 
 Nom. vulg. Aloe. 
 
 Very common, especially on the slopes of Mount Piton. 
 
 Fourcroya gigantea, Vent.; Kunth. Lnium. v. 841; Lot. Mag. t. 2250. Nom. 
 vulg. Aloe vert. 
 
 Equally common with the last. The fibres of this are much used for cordage. 
 
 DIOSCOREACE.®. 
 
 Dioscorea sativa, Linn.; Kunth. Bnium. v. 340. Nom. vulg. Cambare. 
 
 Cultivated. Pormerly the yam was largely grown, but since whalers ceased to 
 visit the island regularly the cultivation has greatly decreased. 
 
 Dioscorea alata, Linn.; Kunth. Kniuni. v. 387. 
 
 I have the leaves of a plant which resembles this somewhat. I found it in 
 waste ground near dwellings. 
 
 BROMELIACE.®. 
 
 Ananassa sativa, Lindl. in Lot. Leg. sub. t. 1068; Promelia Ananas, Linn.; 
 Lot. Mag. t. 1554. Nom. vulg. Ananas. 
 
 Very common in many places. 
 
72 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 LILIACE^. 
 
 Aloe lomatophylloides, Baker in FI. Maur. Seych. 372. 
 
 Subacaulescens, foliis paiicifariis stellatim patentibus, ensiformibus versus apicem 
 gradatim attenuatis, acutis cleltoideis dentibus paullum incurvatis subrigidis armatis, 
 carnosis, subtus convexis, supra concavis, paginis laevibus atroviridibus; scapo ramoso 
 striato compresso inferne subalato, alis obscure dentatis, ramulis 2-3 adscendentibus 
 racemos densos gerentibus, bracteis lanceolatis membranaceis; floribus breviter 
 pedicellatis; perianthio obclavato, segmentis lanceolatis, tubum oblongum rectum 
 dilatatumque dimidio superantibus ; staminibus perianthio subsequilongis, tilamentis 
 membranaceis alatis, basi dilatatis ; capsula angulari ovoidea. 
 
 Folia ped. longa, 3 poll. lata. Scapus ped. longus, ramuli 3-6 poll, longi; 
 bractese poll, longge ; pedicelli apice articulati, primum poll, longi, demum 
 f-| poll, longi. Ferianthmm f-f poll, longum. Capsula poll, longa. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Ananas marron. 
 
 A very common and very distinct species, characterised by the smooth non- 
 spotted leaves and the compressed rachis of the flower scapes. 
 
 Asphodelus fistulosus, Linn.; Kunth Fmum. iv. 557, var. tenuifolius; A. tenuifo- 
 lius. Car.; Kunth Fn. iv. 558. 
 
 This plant I did not find on the main island, but only upon two of the coral 
 islets, Gombrani and Pierrots, on the southern reef. 
 
 Dracaena angnstifolia, Boxh.; Baker in Linn. Journ. xiv. 526. Nom. vulg. Bois 
 chandelle. 
 
 Very common, attaining a height of about 14 feet or more, and frequently with 
 the aerial roots at the base very numerous. 
 
 Dracoena reflexa, Lam., var. angustifolia, Baker in Linn. Journ. xiv. 531. Nom, 
 vulg. Bois chandelle. 
 
 Not common only at the top of valley Biviere aux Huitres. 
 
 Asparagus umbellulatus, Sieher; Baker in Linn. Journ. xiv. 611. Nom. vulg. 
 L’Asperge. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Asparagus racemosus, WillcV.; Baker in Linn. Journ. xiv. 623. Nom. vulg. 
 L’Asperge. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Two other species of Asparagus occur, but I obtained them only in leaf and the 
 material is too imperfect for identification. 
 
 COMMELYNACEiE. 
 
 Commelyna communis, Linn.; Kunth Fniuni. iv. 36; C. B. Clarke Comnielyn. 
 Beng. t. 1. Nom. vulg. llerbe a cochons. 
 
 A common plant. The leaves and young shoots are eaten as a salad. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 73 
 
 PALM^. 
 
 Latania Verschaffelti, Cli. Lem. III. Ilort. t. 229. Noin. vulg. Latanier. 
 
 Found in every part of the island, Perhaps no plant on the island is put to 
 more uses than the Latanier. Tlie wood is yerv hard and durable, of a rich mottled 
 black appearance, and used for building huts, though now this is interdicted as the 
 trees are becoming more scarce. The leaves are chiefly used for thatching huts 
 and are also made into baskets. The fibres of the petiole form a very excellent 
 material for cordage and the reticulum is also put to various uses. 
 
 Male and female trees exist in about equal numhers. This is .the Latania 
 aiirea of horticulturists, and has been known in Europe for some years. The original 
 description of the plant in Ill. ITort. l.c. errs in the description of the pyrense, 
 which are represented as inverted, the apex being described as the base and vice 
 versa. 
 
 Leguat speaks of this tree as the “ plantane,” and thus quaintly descril)es it,— 
 
 “ The plantane is a sort of palm tree, and the arborists place it in the same class. 
 Our plantanes have a straight trunk, which seems to he formed of large rings at an 
 equal distance. They have no such prickly scales as I have talked of in the palm tree. 
 At the top of the trunk is a cabbage, very like to that of the palm tree. At the 
 foot of this cabbage instead of palm boughs are broad leaves, with stalks about six 
 or seven foot long; these leaves are strong and thick, and like a fan when it is 
 open ; the sticks of which come a little out of the circumference, and are pointed at 
 the end. Some of these leaves are eight foot diameter, insomuch that they serv’d 
 to make rare coverings for our cahbins. We cut ’em out into little pieces, and 
 made hatts and umbrello’s of them. The stalk is four inches broad, an inch thick, 
 and a little roundish at the sides; at the ])ottom where it joyns to the tree, it widens 
 and grows like a flat sliell which sticks to the trunk, and in part embraces it. 
 This Avide and holloAV plate is sometimes aboA^e a foot diameter, and of the thickness 
 of a croAvn piece. We made use of it for dishes, plates, and sawcers. Tlie first 
 rind of the stalk served us instead of ropes, and the fibres of the second made good 
 thread to soav Avith. One might have Avove stuffs with it, had it been prepar’d. 
 
 “ We con’d not perceive any difference in the tast, or in any other qualities of 
 the palm tree or plantane. This liquor is whitish like white whey, and so sweet, 
 that no other sweetness, if I may judge of it, can compare to it : the neAA^er it is, the 
 more agreeable. In three or fuor days it begins to turn sowre, and in seven or 
 eight, ’tis as sharp as the strongest vinegar, without changing its colour. 
 
 “ The dates of the plantane are bigger than those of the palm tree. Having 
 abundance of better things to feed on, fish and flesh, fruits, &c., Ave left tlie dates 
 for the turtles and other birds, particularly the Solitaires, of Avhich Ave shall here¬ 
 after make mention. 
 
 “ About the cabbage of the plantane, near the bottom of it, and between the 
 stalks of its broad leaA'es, is a sort of cotton of a limon colour, which all thro’ 
 
 21 . 
 
 K 
 
74 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 India is known by the name of capoc. We made very good quilts of it. It may be 
 wove and manufactur’d for all the uses that cotton is put to. Perhaps we might 
 have thought of making a sort of stuff, both of the capoc and the fibres of our 
 plantane leaves; but we had stuff enough of our own to serve a long time, and the 
 air is so mild, so sweet, that we did not make much use of our cloaths.” 
 
 The genus Latania is Mascarene and is represented by three species. Of these 
 one here mentioned is endemic in Podriguez. Another, Latania Loddigesi, Mart. 
 Hist. Palm. iii. 224. t. 161. f. ii. 10-14, the L. glaucophylla of horticulturists, is found 
 only on Hound Island near Mauritius, while the third species, L. Commersoni, 
 Gmel. Syst. viii. 1035, and which includes L. rubra, Jacq. Frag. Bot. 13. t. 8, and L. 
 horhonica, Lam. Encyc. iii. 427, is distributed in both Mauritius and Bourbon. The 
 three species are easily distinguished specially by the pyrense. It is curious to note 
 the similarity of constitution and distribution of this genus with another Masca¬ 
 rene one, JlyopJiorhe. 
 
 Phoenix dactylifera, Linn, Nom. vulg. Le Datte. 
 
 Is not abundant and occurs occasionally on some of the coral islets. 
 
 Hyophorbe Verschaffelti, IVendl. in III. Sort. tt. 462, 463. Nom. vulg. Palmiste 
 marron. 
 
 A palm spread over the whole island, Imt never occurring on the coralline 
 limestone. It is of a very striking appearance by reason of the bulging which takes 
 place in the stem towards the middle, the stem on both sides of the swelhng 
 decreasing in size. If the tree be lofty, there may be a second ventricosity. But 
 the tree seems rarely to attain an altitude above 20-25 feet. The external hard 
 part of the stem is very thin, not more than an inch thick, and wuthin it is a 
 soft succulent mass of cellular tissue and fibrowascular bundles. The juice from 
 this tree is said by the inhabitants not only to be unwholesome, but even poisonous, 
 causing, if taken in small quantities, severe emesis. The leaves have an exceed¬ 
 ingly plumose appearance, and with their yellow stripe beneath are very picturesque. 
 The parts of the tree are put to no use. 
 
 Syopliorhe, to which the species belongs, is a Mascarene genus represented by 
 only three species. Of these the one here mentioned is endemic in Bodriguez. 
 S. amaricatdis, Mart. Hist. Palm. iii. 309, formerly cultivated in Europe under the 
 name Areca speciosa, is a second species endemic in Bound Island, about 6 miles 
 from Mauritius. This, from its habit, is not unfrequently termed in Mauritius the 
 “bottle palm,” and hence it has for long been confounded witli the Chilian bottle 
 palm, Jubcca spectabilis, with which, however, it has no connexion. The Bodri¬ 
 guez palm I should have said has also been confounded with Jubcea. The Bound 
 Island palm is very distinct from the Ptodriguez plant. The third species is the 
 most delicate. Originally described as Syophorbe indica by Gartn. de Fruct. ii. 
 186, the name S. Qommersoniana was substituted by Martins Hist. Palm. iii. 164. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 75 
 
 There seems, however, no siifhcient ground for the alteration. Bory St. Vincent, 
 Voy. ii. 296, mentions and describes this palm usAreca lutescens, under which name 
 it is frequently and most commonly met with in gardens. The species has a wider 
 distribution than the others, occurring in both Mauritius and Bonrhou. It is in these 
 islands confined to the shady parts of the woods and valleys and is now extremely 
 rare. It differs in habit from the other species in having a slender tapering stem 
 not dilated and with no ventricosities. 
 
 Dictyosperma album, Wencll. in Linncea xxxix. 181. var. aureum ; Areca al])a, Bory 
 Foy. i. 306. 
 
 Palma typo minor tenniorque usque ad viginta pedes alta ; folia 1-8 ped. longa; 
 petiolus commmiis cnrtus, 8 poll, longns, intus panllo-convexis sqnamulis adspersis 
 munitis; vagina 1-2 ped. longa; pinnae lineari-lanceolatae, angnste aciiminatae, 
 1^-2 ped. longae, 1 poll, latae, venulis secnndariis ohscuris; spadix fastigiatns 
 ramiilosus, ramnlis rigidis erectis 9-11 poll, longis, omnino rectis v. ad hasim torti- 
 lihus; flores illis typi dimidio minores; fructus violacens, |—f poll, longiis, ^-fV 
 poll, latus, cylindro-conicns; semina poll, longa. Plantae juveniles aurantiaceae, 
 pinnis fere linearibus, spinulis vestitae. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Palmiste hou. 
 
 This palm is very abundant in Bodriguez, growing freely both on the volcanic 
 soil and on the coralline limestone. It has for many years been cultivated in the 
 gardens of Europe as Areca aurea. 
 
 The genus Areca has long been a receptacle for many species of doubtful 
 affinity, hut Wendland has recently revised the genus and removed therefrom 
 many of its hitherto contained species. As a result of his revision the genus is 
 unrepresented in the Mascarene islands. Some Mascarene species are referred, as 
 already noted, to Hyophorhe; tivo others, Areca rttbra, Bory, and A. crinlta, Bory, 
 constitute the endemic Mascarene genus Acanthoyjlicenix, and the old Areca alba, 
 Bory, is the type of a new genus, Dictyosperma. This is a very variable plant, and 
 by reason of this several garden names have been given to its forms under cultivation. 
 Thus we have Dictyosperma fiirfuraceumi D. rubrum, and D. aureum. These are, 
 however, all Amrieties of the one palm, Dictyosperma album, Wendh, and the last 
 mentioned is that form which occurs in Bodriguez. 
 
 Leguat mentions only one species of “ palm tree ” in Bodriguez, and it is diffi¬ 
 cult to determine whether he refers to ILyopliorbe or Dictyosperma. He thus 
 describes it.— 
 
 “ Our palm trees are commonly 30-40 ft. high, their trunk is straight and with¬ 
 out leaves, but ’tis cover’d with a sort of prickly scales, Avhose prickles stand out a 
 little. Some have a smoother bark than others. On the top of the trunks groAV those 
 boughs of palm, of which no man ever saw a lively picture. These boughs form a 
 great knot and fall down all about it in plumes. Below tliese bouglis, or rather 
 
 K 2 
 
76 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 below the trunk from which they grow, are produc’d long bunches, each 
 fruit or grain as big as a hen’s egg, and of the same shape, known by the name of 
 dates. 
 
 ‘‘ In the center of this great knot, and at the summet of the trunk, is what we 
 call the cabbidge. One cannot see it, being hidden by the boughs that rise a little 
 all about it. This summet consists of tender leaves which closely embrace each 
 other, joyn together, and form a mass something like that of a cabbage lettice, or 
 common cabbage ; ’tis about two foot high if the tree is large, and of the same 
 bigness with the trunk. The large outside leaves of this mass are white, soft, 
 pliable, and as strong as l)utf, which it resembles. They will serve also for linen, 
 satin, for napkins, table-cloths, and any thing what yon please. The membrana, 
 or inside leaves, are tender and brittle, like the heart of a lettice. They are 
 good to eat raw, and tast like a tilberd ; but we made an admirable ragout of them 
 when we fricasi’d them with the fat and liver of a turtle. We put them also in our 
 soops. 
 
 “ We come now to the liquor, or rather the nectar of the Isle of Hodrigo. ’Tis 
 call’d palm-wine all over the Indies. There are two ways of drawing out the juice. 
 We make a hole in the trunk of the tree at about a man’s height, as big as one’s 
 two lists. We presently put a pot or other vessel there to receive the delicious 
 liquor, which runs out fast enough, otherwise we dig the cabbage, and make a little 
 cistern at its head. We need only go twice or thrice a day and draw this rare 
 wine at the fountain head, and we may be abundantly supply’d with it. The wine 
 of the trunk, and that of the cabbage, are in my opinion of an equal goodness. 
 
 But those who would be good husbands of their trees (for as for us we were lavish 
 enough of them), the first way is the best, because after the cabbage has yielded its 
 liquor for about a month, it withers, and the tree decays and dies. ’Tis the same 
 thing if you tear off the cabbage, when its head and brain are gone it dies almost 
 suddenly. 
 
 “ Whereas if you only pierce its side the tree do’s not die, provided the wound 
 is not too deep ; but the liquor will not run out at that hole above four days. 
 The wounded tree must afterward have time to recover. I do not know what 
 is done elsewhere, but I can tell by experience what I have said here, we having made 
 trial of it daily for two years together. The bark of this tree is very hard, ’tis an 
 inch thick, joorous and tender in the inside. If one make the hole on the side of 
 tlie trunk too wide, there is reason to fear ’twill weaken the tree there, and that 
 then the next hurricane will break it.” 
 
 “ The frnit or grain as big as a hen’s egg ” makes it difficult to refer his palm 
 to either Hyophorhe or Dictyosperma, and points rather to the Latanier. And then 
 the trunk “covered with a sort of priekly scales whose prickles stand out a little,” 
 does not agree w'ell with either, and least with Hyophorhe. But then he says 
 afterwards, “ The bark of this tree is very hard, ’tis an inch thick, porous and 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 77 
 
 “ tender in the inside,” which more nearly corresponds with Hyopliorhe than with 
 Dictyosperma. But, on the other hand, the inhabitants say the juice of Hyopliorhe 
 Verschaffelti, Ch. Lem,, is poisonous, whilst Leguat and his companions seem 
 to have used it much. It is then a difficult matter to decide, hut if we discard 
 the statement as to the size of the fruit, I think we may most safely consider that 
 Leguat failed to diagnose two species of Palm tree, and in his description includes 
 both species. And as pointing in this direction I think we may take his remark 
 “ Some have a smoother hark than others ; ” for the hark of Hyopliorhe Versclwf- 
 felti, Ch. Lem. is much smoother than that of Dictyosperma alhum, Wendl. 
 
 Cocos nucifera, Linn. 
 
 A few trees of this occur in the compound of the Government House at Port 
 Mathurin, and one or two trees are found on the south side of the island. The 
 introduction of this plant was on this wise as described liy Leguat;—“ The sea 
 having thrown us up some Cocos which began to bud, we planted some of that 
 “ fruit some months after our arrival, and when we left the place, the trees were 
 “ four foot high.” 
 
 PANDANACE.®. 
 
 Pandanus heterocarpus, Balf. fil. 
 
 Arbor ramosa, caudice la3vi, radicibus aereis plurimis, ramis patentibus; foliis 
 lanceolatis acuminatis, basi amplexicaulibus diiatatis, erecto-patentibus, coriaceis, 
 strictis, viridescentibus basi ssepe glaucescentibus, subplanis, marginibus per totum 
 costaque subtus a medio distanter rubrospiuosis, spiuulis subiiicurvatis ; d spadicibus 
 laxe racemosis odoris 15-spicatis, spathis subito acuminatis, carinatis, basi latis, spicas 
 trigono-oblongas excedentibus, marginibus costaque subtus per totum spinescen- 
 tibus; staminibus laxe dispositis, filamento communi brevi, 5-10 ramoso, ramulis 
 patentibus, antheris lineari-oblongis mucronatis ; ? capitulis solitariis globosis sub- 
 depressis v. elliptico-oblongis nunc longe nunc breviter pedunculatis, pendulis v. 
 inclinatis, spathis pluribus brevibus deciduis ; drupis 5-locularibus, obpyramidalil3us, 
 non compressis, 5-6*gonis, fere per totum coaduiiatis, apice humiliter pyramidale 
 rarissime convexo soepius applanato v. umbilicato, distincte 5-6 angulato, areola 
 centrali 2-5 stigmata plana sessilia reniformia suberosa cingente instructo. 
 
 Arhor umliraculiformis, usque ad 20 pedes alta. Cauclices fuscobrunnei, 5-7 
 poll, diam., Iteves, erecti, oblique amiulati, ramosissimi, ramulis terminalibus non 
 adscendentibus, radices aereas plures seriatim spincscente-tuberculatas emittentes. 
 Folia ensiformia, recta v. rarius recurvata v. dependentia, 1^-3 ped. longa, 1^-21 
 poll, lata, supra non sulcata, non reduplicata, pallidc v. atro-vircutia, supra nitida, 
 subtus opaca venulis lateralibus subtiliter striata, marginibus iiicarnatis a basi spinosis, 
 spinis siepe in medio deficientil)us acutis rubris sul)incurvatis adscendentibus, costa 
 subtus pallidiori subrosea a medio spinescente, spinis in margine majoribus intcrvallo- 
 que longiore dispositis. Spadices masculi 1 ped. longi 15-spicati penduli, spica) basalcs 
 
78 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 3 poll, longue, spatlise snrsum sensim miiiores cymbiformes ctispiclatse abrupte 
 angustateqnc acuminatse basi submembranacese latge, spicas amplectentes polli- 
 bicvis pluribus superantes, marginibus carinaque siibtus per totum spinnlescentibns. 
 Staminum filamentum commune ^ poll, longum, ramuli singuli breves patentes 
 
 poll, longi; antlierse albidse poll, longse. Capitula 60-70-clrupataj nunc 35, 
 rarius 100, poll, longa, 4^-5^ poll, lata; peclunculus trigonus plerumqiie 
 
 8-12 poll, rarius 3 v. 15 longus, crassus. Drupoi y^ly poll, longse, 
 
 1-ly poll, latm borizontaliter, f-1 poll, in diam. verticaliter, usque ad ^ a basi 
 coadunatse, parte conjuncta maturitate rubra v. flava, apicis margine nonnunquam 
 ruguloso; areola eentrali distincte marginata; stigmatibus poll. diam. reni- 
 forniibus, pelvis centrum versus spectante; putamine rotundato lateribus Igevibus 
 apice applanato processibus 2-5 instructo; mesocarpio spongioso, amplo; semine 
 J poll, longo. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Vacoa cale rouge, V. cale blanc, V. sac, V. poteau, V. parasol, 
 V. male. 
 
 It is a very variable tree, and tlie popular names indicate this. It occurs very 
 abundantly everywhere on the island from the seashore to the highest points. And 
 according to its situation, its habit and appearance vary. Thus when on sites ex¬ 
 posed to the wind it has a stunted habit. The branches are few, thick, and short, and 
 the leaves are also short and are erect. In such situations it is known as the Vacoa 
 caU. The inhabitants make a distinction between two varieties of this according 
 as the head, peduncle, and united parts of the drupes are red, or are greenish yellow 
 or yellow. The former they style rouge the latter hlanc. The first; of the characters 
 on which they base their varieties by the colour of the head and peduncle is worthless, 
 and the difference in colour of the bases of the drupes is found in all the forms of the 
 species, but is not sufficient to characterise varieties. If the tree grows in suitable 
 soil, and in a sheltered position where it has room to develop its branches properly, 
 then it forms a dense and compact dome and the branches may droop downwards, so 
 far as almost to conceal the stem, and is then known as Vacoa parasol. 
 
 'VYlien in any situation the tree develops a trunk of good size, and is allowed to 
 grow until the wood is hard and firm to the centre, and is capable of being used as 
 a post for a house, then the tree is called V. poteau. The name V. sac is given to 
 the young plants when the leaves are long and broad, and may be made into bags 
 or sacs. V. male is of course the male tree, known by the inhabitants as not 
 bearing fruit. 
 
 It is not only in habit that the tree varies, but few plants exhibit such an 
 amount of variation in the fruit and it well deserves its specific designation. It is 
 impossible here to enter into a consideration of these which will form the subject of 
 a separate memoir. This species belongs to the Utilis group of the species of 
 Pa net anus. It has a close affinity with P. utilis', but is sufficiently distinguished in 
 habit and in fruit. 
 
18. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 79 
 
 Leguat gives a curious description of the Screw pines of Rodriguez as follows:— 
 Among the great numher and variety of trees in this island planted 1)y nature, 
 ‘‘ there is one which is wonderful and worthy our particular observation for its 
 “ beauty, bigness, roundness, and the rare symmetry of its exact branches, the ends 
 “ of which are very much tufted, and its leaves so great and thick that they fall 
 “ down almost to the ground all about it, so that come which wav vou will at this 
 
 O ^ t/ t' 
 
 ‘ tree, you can perceive hut a small part of its trunk, and that at the bottom of it, 
 and sometimes you can see nothing at all of it. It being as onejnay imagine, all 
 shady in the middle ; the branches are within-side like dry poles, which seem to 
 be the work of a carpenter, and set there to bear up the plumes or branches which 
 are quite about it, and thus make a sort of cage or tent of the tree. ’Tis true, the 
 greatest beauty of this tent, is in its charming outside, though the coolness and 
 shelter of the inside have also their charms : ’twas unhappy that its fruit was not 
 good to eat. Those of us who had the curiosity to eat it, found it sour, and knew 
 by experience that was all the hurt that was in it. It had the smell of a very 
 fine quince. ’Tis a sort of a grape, the seeds of which are close and altogether; 
 it looked at a distance like the fruit of the ananas, for which reason we us’d to 
 ‘ call these trees Ananas, tho’ there’s a great difference between the two plants : 
 as for me I was calling it the pavilion or tent. The leaves are of an admirable 
 green, and the stalks of them are so short, that one wou’d think they grew imme¬ 
 diately to the wood. The greatest are four or five inches broad, sharp at tho end, 
 and about five inches long. They form a great bunch, and here and there one 
 may see the grapes, which are of divers colours, according as they are more or less 
 ripe. I have often taken pleasure to survey these natural palaces, and was 
 equally ravish’d with its largeness and singular beauty.” 
 
 Pandanus tenuifolius, Balf.jiL 
 
 Arbor parva, caudice Imvi, radicibus aereis paucis, ramis erectis crassis; foliis 
 angustate lineari-lanceolatis acuminatissimis, apice suhflagellatis, basi dilatatis 
 lateque amplexicaulihus, coriaceis recurvatis pendulisque, suhplanis atro-viridibus 
 smpe basi dealbatis, niarginil)us subincrassatis per totuni costaque a medio rubro- 
 spinosis, spinis brevibus acutis incurvatis adscendentibus; capitulis solitariis pauci- 
 drupatis suhglobosis, peduneulo curvato pendulosis; spathis pluribus deciduis; 
 drupis subpyriformibus 2-5-locularibus, non compressis, usque ad f-f a basi coad- 
 unatis, parte conjuncta 5-6-gona obpyramidali, apice libero rubiginoso rotundato 
 umbraculiformi obscure 5-0-angulato, vertice applanato v. depresso, areola margi- 
 nata 2-5 stigmata plana sessilia reniformia cingente instructo. 
 
 Arhor usque ad 15 pedes alta plerumque magnum spatium iustar arhustum 
 occupans, rare solitaris. Candices fusci, loeves, 3 poll, diam., ramos erectos validos 
 abrupte terminantes angulo acuto emittentes. Bolia 8 poll.—2] ped. longa, poll, 
 lata, supra non sulcata, suhplana, non reduplicata, supra nitida, infra opaca, latc- 
 ralibus nervulis suhtiliter striata, marginihus subincrassatis a basi spinosis, spinis 
 
 
 a 
 
 
 (6 
 
 
 CC 
 
 
 
 
 a 
 
 a 
 
 
 cc 
 
 
 (6 
 
 a 
 
80 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 saepe in medio deficieutibus, rubris, arete dispositis, incurvatis v. subappressis, 
 adscendentibus, costa prominente rubra, a medio spinis distantibus acutis longi- 
 oriims instructa. CapltuUf 20-40-drupata, 3-5] poll, diam.; pedunculus trigonus, 
 curvatus, 5-11 poll, longus, crassus. Drnpcb breviter pyriformes, 1^ poll, longue, 
 parte superiore ^-]- libera, borizontaliter l]-!^ poll, lata?, yerticaliter If-lf poll, 
 lata?, parte conjuncta matiiritate rubra; stigmatibus poll, diam., reuiformibus, 
 pelvi centrum versus spectaute; putamine rotundato lateribus Isevibus apice de- 
 presso 2-6 processus gerente; mesocarpio crasso spougioso ; semiuibus ^ poll, longis. 
 
 Nom. vulg. Vacoa chevron. 
 
 A small and very graceful tree, usually growing in clusters and forming frequently 
 a very regular dome. It is confined to tlie liiglier parts of the island and tlie upper 
 parts of valleys. Tbougb nearly allied to, it is easily distinguished from the 
 foregoing by its arching narrow delicate leaves, and its few large druped fruits. 
 It is also a very mucli smaller plant. But certain trees on the island seem to 
 possess characters intermediate betAveen these tAvo species and may be hybrids. 
 Tliis is, lioweA^er, a difficult matter to settle. Its local name is derived from its 
 common use as a rafter for huts, for which its close-grained and bard wood when 
 mature well fits it. 
 
 These are the only tAvo species I found on the island, but Sir Henry Barkly has 
 sent home figures of two (and of one a specimen) other species from the island. These 
 are P. utilis, Bory, and P. odoratissimus, Linn. f. His figures and specimen of the 
 former are most distinctly those of P. utilis, Bory, but Avhilst I do not dispute the 
 fact that this plant may have existed or may exist on the island, I may notice that 
 Sir Henry Barkly’s drawing and specimen are of a tree grown in the Botanic Garden 
 in Mauritius from seeds AAdiich Mr. Duncan is said to haA^e brought from 
 Bodriguez. I think this takes aAvay considerably from the value of the observation, 
 especially as the trees Mr. Horne pointed out to me as from Bodriguez are groAAung 
 closely surrounded by Mauritius ones. At the same time I may remark that in the 
 young state, before many branches have been given off, P. utilis, Bory, and P. 
 heterocarpiis, Balf. fil., are so much alike as to be almost undistinguishable, 
 and I may have in that Avay missed P. utilis, Bory, in Bodriguez. As to P. 
 odoratissimus, Linn, f., I can only say I ncAmr saw it, and it must be very scarce, if 
 there at all; and it seems to me Amry strange that such a A*ery marked form should 
 be unknown by the inhabitants, especially as several of them Avere employed 
 by Mr. Jenner, the magistrate of the island, at the request of Sir Henry Barkly, 
 lo collect Pandani for him. Mr. Horne shoAved me trees of this in the Botanic 
 Gardens at i'.Iauritius, said to have groAvn from seeds brought from Bodriguez by 
 iMr. Duncan, and as this may have l)een the source of Sir II. Barkly’s figures the 
 same objection may be urged as in the case of P. utilis, Bory. It seems to me 
 very strange that no mention is made by Sir H. Barkly of P. tenuifolius, Balf. 
 fil., from Bodriguez, A\diich is very abundant, whilst P. utilis, Bory, and P. odora- 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 81 
 
 tissimus, Linn. f. must be very scarce, if there. Bojer iu liis llortus Mauritianus 
 says of P. miiricatiis, Pet. Thouars, that it grows naturally at Podriguez. I believe 
 Bojer visited Bodrignez, and he ought to have known the Pandani, but he says 
 nothing about P. heterocarpiis, Balf. fil. or P. temiifoUus^ Balf. fil., which are 
 so common on the island. He appends to his notice of P. muricatus. Pet. Thouars, 
 that some trunks are to be found at Grand Port. To recognise a species of 
 JPanclanus by leaves, fruit, and stem is in many cases difdcult enough, but to dis¬ 
 criminate species by stems only is very fallacious, if not impossible. I am convinced 
 the species does not now exist on the island; and, indeed. Petit Thouars only re¬ 
 corded it from Madagascar. In the Botanic Gardens in Maimtius a species was 
 shown me by Mr. Horne which he supposed might be P. muricahis, Pet. Thouars, 
 but this is merely a form of P. utUls, Bory, with drupes much divided at the apex. 
 
 AROIDE.®. 
 
 Colocasia antiquorum, Schott Frod. 138 ; Arum colocasia, Linn.; Wt. Ic. t. 78G; 
 Caladium csculentum and nympheaefolium. Vent. Nom. vulg. Songe rouge. 
 
 Grows very abundantly in the streams. Is eaten in times of scarcity by the 
 inhabitants, but is said to produce a severe form of skin eruption if much eaten. 
 It is chiefly used to feed pigs when they can get nothing else. 
 
 Alocasia macrorhiza, Schott Frodr. 146 ; Arum macrorhizum, Linn.; Boj. Hort. 
 Ilcmr. 356. Nom. vulg. Songe blanc. 
 
 Growls abundantly with the former, and is the better to eat of the two. 
 
 NAIADACE.®. 
 
 Ruppia maritima, Linn.; Kunth Lnnm. iii. 123; B. rostellata, Koch; Feich. Ic. 
 ii. 66. 1.174. 
 
 Abundant at the mouth of English Bay PGver. 
 
 Zannichellia palustris, Linn.; Kunth Knum. iii. 124. 
 
 Abundant, especially in Bivieres Bouteille and He TEst. This plant is not 
 recorded from Mamdtius. 
 
 Halophila ovalis, Kooh. fit. FI. Tasman, ii. 45 ; H. ovata. Gaud, in Freijc. Foy. 
 429. t. 40. f. 1. 
 
 Grows abundantly on the sandy flats on the reefs, and is left uncovered at the 
 fall of the tide. 
 
 Halophila stipulacea, Aschers. in LinncBa xxxv. 172 ; Thalassia stipulacea, Konig ; 
 Kunth Knum. iv. 120. 
 
 Abundant on the sandy flats on the reefs, specially where there is a current, and 
 
 does not seem to be left uncovered by the tide. 
 
 L 
 
 21. 
 
82 
 
 BOTANY OF KODRIGUEZ. 
 
 CYPERACE^. 
 
 Cyperus laevigatns, Linn.; var. albidus, Behlr. in Linncpa^ xxxv. 487. 
 
 Very common species, occurring under several forms, according to situation. 
 
 Cyperus polystachyus, Mottb. ; Kiinth Enum. ii. 13; Eehlr. in Linnceay xxxv. 
 477. 
 
 Not uncommon on the island. 
 
 Cyperus dubius, Rottb. ; Eehlr. in Linncea^ xxxvi. 336. Nom. vulg. Herbe a 
 oignon. 
 
 Common everywhere, and is a great pest. 
 
 Cyperus distans, Linn.jil .; Knntli Enum. ii. 93 ; Eehlr. in Linncea, xxxv. 612. 
 Frequently found. 
 
 Cyperus, sp. 
 
 A species without flower I found close to Gahrielle village. 
 
 Kylhngia monocephala, Rottb .; Eehlr. in Linncea, xxxv. 427. 
 
 Very common. 
 
 Fimbristylis glomerata, Nees ; Eehlr. in Linn<^a^ xxxvii. 47. 
 
 Common, especially on coralline limestone. 
 
 Fimbristylis communis, Kunth Enum. ii. 235. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Carex gracilis, R. Er.; Kunth Enum. ii. 513; Eoott Car. i. 59. t. 154-156. 
 Nom. vulg. Herhe Madame Pitelle. 
 
 Very common. 
 
 GRAMINE.®. 
 
 Coix Lachryma, ; Kunth Enum. i. 20; Eot. Mag. t. 2479. Nom. vulg. 
 Larme de Job. 
 
 Very abundant, especially near habitations on the hanks of streams. 
 
 Zea Mays, Linn. ; Kunth Enum. i. 19; Mart. Flor. Eras. ii. 2. t. 11. 
 
 Cultivated, hut not so much as it might he. Is exported to Mauritius. A good 
 head is supposed to yield 640 grains, and each plant hears usually two heads. In 
 planting three seeds are put in each hole, and five heads are expected from the three 
 plants. 
 
 Paspalum scrobiculatum, Linn.; Kunth Enum. i. 53 ; Trin. Sp. Gram, ii. t. 143. 
 Nom. vulg. Herbe file. 
 
 Very common. 
 
 Panicum brizoides, Linn.; Kunth Enum. i. 78; Trin. Sp. Gram. ii. tt. 158-9. 
 Common. 
 
 Panicum fluitans, Retz.; Kunth Enum. i. 78. 
 
IS. BAYLEY BALFOUR. 
 
 8a 
 
 Panicum maximum, Jacq. Ic. t. 13. 
 
 Panicum plicatum, Lam.; var. P. costatum, Boxb. FI. Lid. i. 314; Kunth Emm. 
 i. 94. 
 
 Commonest grass on the islaud. 
 
 Panicum serpens, Kunth Enum. i. 117. 
 
 Panicum Balfourii, Baker FI. Mcmr. Seijch. 438. 
 
 Frequently met with in the valleys. Closely allied to P. undulatifolium, Ard. 
 
 Stenotaphrum complanatum, Schrank.; Kunth Enum. i. 137. 
 
 Common. 
 
 Stenotaphrum subulatum, Trin. Sq). Gram. iii. t. 360. 
 
 Only growing on Gomhrani and Pierrot islets. 
 
 Cenchrus echinatus, Linn. ; Kunth Enum. i. 166. Nom. vulg. Herbe cateaux. 
 
 Is widely dispersed. 
 
 Zoysia pungens, Willd. ; Kunth Enum. i. 471. 
 
 Very common on the sandy and coral islets on the reef. 
 
 Saccharum officinarum, Linn.; Kunth Enum. i. 474 ; Hook. Bot. JSlisc. t. xxvi. 
 Formerly much cultivated. It grows well, hut is not much cultivated now, on 
 account of the difficulties in manipidation from want of water. 
 
 Andropogon contortus, Linn .; Kunth Enum. i. 486. 
 
 Andropogon muricatus, Betz.; Kunth Enum. i. 505. Nom. vulg. Vetivert or 
 Cuscus. 
 
 Grows in abundance on the slopes of Mount Malartic, and the roots used much 
 by the natives for scenting their cabinets and apparel. 
 
 Andropogon Schoenanthus, Linn.; Kunth Enum. i. 493. Nom. vulg. Citronelle. 
 An infusion of this is a very favourite tisane. It grows abundantly on the slopes 
 of Mount Limon. 
 
 Andropogon foliatus, Steud. Si/n. Gram. 389. Probably a variety of A. Schoenan- 
 thus. 
 
 Andropogon finitimus, Hochst.; Steud. Syn. Gram. 385. 
 
 Andropogon halepensis, Sibth.; Kunth Enum. 502. Nom. vulg. Petit mille. 
 Cultivated. 
 
 Sporobolus virginicus, Kunth Enum. i. 210. 
 
 Aristida adscensionis, Linn .; Kunth Enum. i. 190. 
 
 Cynodon Dactylon, Bers .; Kunth Enum. i. 259. Nom. vulg. Chiendent. 
 
 On the shores where sandy, and on most of the coral islets. 
 
 Eleusine indica, Gdrtn.; Kunth Enum. i. 272 ; Trin. Sp. Gram. i. t. 71. 
 Everywhere on the island. 
 
84 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Chloris barbata, Sw.; KmitJi Enum. i. 264; Trin. Sp. Gram. iii. t. 306. Nom. 
 vulg. Esquine. 
 
 Very common. 
 
 Phragmites communis, Trin.; Kuntli Enum. i. 251. 
 
 On the banks of the stream in valley PtiviCTC Grande des Bamboux. 
 
 Bambusa, sp. 
 
 Abundant on the banks of the streams. 
 
 LYCOPODIACE^. 
 
 Lycopodium Phlegmaria, Linn. ; Spring. Monog. Lycop. i. 63. 
 
 Not common. Only at the top of the valley of the Bivi^re aux Huitres. 
 
 Psilotum triquetrum, Sio. ; Boj. Sort. Maur. 423. 
 
 Very common. 
 
 Selaginella Balfouri, Baker El. Ilaur. Seych. 522. 
 
 Cauhbus decumbentibus dense csespitosis ad 3-4 poll, procumbentibus, ramulis 
 compositis plurimis curtis adscendentibiis instructis; foliis majoribus obliquis, 
 oblongis, obtusis, patentibus, poll, longis, albo-viridibus, membranaceis, ciliatis, 
 summis marginibus conniventibus ; foliis minoribus obovatis, mucrone longa armatis; 
 spicis poll, longis, tetragonis; bracteis uniformibus, deltoideis, cuspidatis. 
 
 The specimens from which this species is described are from two localities. On 
 the coralline limestone growing along with JDichondra repens^ Eorst. and Sypoestes 
 mconspicua, Balf. fib, a plant of which the leaves have a reddish and dried 
 appearance was found. Other specimens of a pale green and fresher look were 
 obtained in the valley Biviere Grande des Bamboux (Cascade). 
 
 Baker 1. c. considers the plants from both localities one species as above described. 
 Professor MacNab informs me that he believes the two forms belong to different 
 species, and he thus describes them :— 
 
 Form 1. Growing on coralline limestone. Large leaves ovate^ rather obtuse, 
 long, broad, margin serrated, midrib central, base loide, lower side 
 
 rounded not produced, dipper side produced not so shoid, denticulate auricle; small 
 leaves yfw long, yyfo broad, contracted below, widest above middle, then narrowed 
 into an acute point, margin of leaf denticulate, base with lower side produced into a 
 long denticulate auricle, inner margin with a very minute auricle. 
 
 Form 2. Growing in moist localities in valley Biviere Grande des Bamboux 
 (Cascade). Large leaves elongate, widest in middle, narrowed towards each end, 
 apex rather blunt yet pointed, yf^y long, y|fy broad, upper side of leaf loith a 
 rounded outline, loioer side nearly straight and less serrated, vein nearer lower than 
 upper margin, base auricled, iipper auricle long curved and almost ciliate, lower 
 ciliate and denticulate; small leaves y^^y long and y^^y broad, contracted below, 
 widest above middle, then narrowed into an acute point, margin denticulate, base 
 
.IS. BAYLEY BALFOUE. 
 
 86 
 
 with outer margin produced into a large denticulate auricle, inner margin with a 
 very minute auricle. 
 
 Selaginella rodriguesiana, Baker FI. Maiir. Feycli. 523. 
 
 Caulihus decumbentibus, non-articulatis, ad pedem procumbentibus, ramulis 
 compositis plurimis distantibus adscendentibus instructis ; foliis majoribus obliquis, 
 oblongis, obtusis, falcatis, yV longis, viridibus, membranaceis, integris obscure 
 ciliatis, summis marginibus conniventibus ; foliis minoribus obovatis, longe mucro- 
 natis; spicis poll, longis, tetragonis ; bracteis uniformibus, deltoideis, valide 
 cuspidatis. 
 
 Very abundant. A species not far removed from S. concinna, Spring. Monog. 
 Lycop. ii. 199. Professor MacNab says of this plant, “the form of the large leaves 
 “ is like S. concimiay Spring., but the expression ‘ foliis rigidis longe biauriculatis ’ 
 “ can hardly apply, the leaves being soft, thin, and with very small auricles. Then 
 the small leaves are much more oblique, and by no means ' aristato-mucronatis.’ 
 “ The species comes near one I have from Kew Gardens cultivated as S. concinna^ 
 “ but locality unknown to me.” 
 
 OPHIOGLOSSACE^. 
 
 Ophioglossum reticulatum, Linn,; IBook. ^ Baker Syn. Fil. 446. 
 
 Amongst the grass on the slopes in a few of the valleys. 
 
 FILICES. 
 
 Trichomanes cuspidatum, Willd.; Hook. Baker Syn, Fil. 73. 
 
 On the rocks at the sides of streams, only near their source. A Mascarene plant. 
 Not very abundant. 
 
 Davallia mauritiana, Hook. Sf Baker Syn. Fil. 96. 
 
 A Mascarene species common on the dry slopes of the valleys. 
 
 Adiantiim caudatiun, Linn.; Hook. S)' Baker Syn. Fil. 115. Nom. vulg. La 
 capillaire. 
 
 Very common everywhere. An infusion of this is used as a tisane in fevers. 
 
 Adiantum Capillus-Veneris, Linn.; Hook. Sf Baker Syn. Fil. 123. 
 
 Not common only in the valleys of Piviere ^Cascade and Pivi5re Poursite, a few 
 plants growing on moist rocks. 
 
 Adiantum hispidulum, Sioartz; Hook. Baker Syn. Fil. 126. 
 
 Common in the upper parts of valleys. 
 
 Pellsea (Platyloma) hastata. Link.; Hook. Baker Syn, FU. 152. 
 
 Very abundant everywhere. 
 
 Pteris flabellata, Thiinh.; Hook. S)' Baker Syn, Fil. 161. 
 
 Not very common. Grows in shady places in the upper parts of valleys. 
 
86 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Aspleiiium (Thamnopteris) Nidus, Linn.; Sook. 8f Baker Syn. Fil. 190. Nom. 
 vtilg. Langue de boeuf. 
 
 Common on trees in the valleys. 
 
 Asplrnium hirtum, Kaiilf. ; Hook. 4’ Baker Syn. Fil. 205. 
 
 Common on the banks of streams. 
 
 Asplenium falcatum, Lam. ; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 208. 
 
 Not common. Growing on dry stony slopes of valleys. 
 
 Asplenium furcatum, Thimh.; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 214. 
 
 Common on banks of streams. 
 
 Asplenium (Anisogonium) decussatum, Sw.; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 243. 
 
 Only found at the foot of Cascade Yictoire. 
 
 Nephrodium (Lastrea) crinitum, Hesv.; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 265. 
 
 A Mascarene species abundant in all the valleys near the bed of the stream. 
 
 Nephrodium unitum, B. Br. {yion Sieh)) ; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 289. 
 
 Grows in large patches on the dry slopes of some valleys. 
 
 Nephrodium molle, Besv.; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 293. 
 
 Very abundant in all valleys. 
 
 Nephrodium elatum, Baker ; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 502. 
 
 Only at the foot of the Cascade Yictoire with Asplenium decussatum. 
 
 Nephrolepis exaltata, Schott. ; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 301. 
 
 Evervwhere. 
 
 Nephrolepis acuta, Fresl. ; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 301. 
 
 Everywhere. This and the foregoing species in many places cover the ground 
 for several acres, notably on the eastern side. 
 
 Polypodium (Niphobolus) adnascens, Sw.; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 349. 
 
 Abundant on dry rocks near the mouths of the valleys. 
 
 Polypodium (Phymatodes) phymatodes, Linn.; Hook. S' Baker Syn. Fil. 364. 
 Nom. vulg. Polypod. 
 
 Everywhere abundant. An infusion of the rhizome is an excellent tisane for 
 cough. Mr. Horne show'ed me in the Herbarium of the Botanic Gardens, Mauritius, 
 specimens of a crested form of this from Bodriguez. 
 
 There are specimens of a Nephrodium [Lastrea) grown by Lady Barkly at 
 Beduit, which is said to have come originally from Bodriguez, in the Herbarium at 
 the Botanic Gardens, Mauritius. I do not know what species, and I did not gather it. 
 
 In a letter to me at Bodriguez, Mr. Horne mentions that in 1864 a collector 
 brought from Bodriguez Nephrolepis splendens, but there must be some mistake 
 as to the name, as there is no such species. 
 
 LAndsaya acutifolia, Hesv., is also reported from Bodriguez, but I have not seen 
 specimens. 
 
MUSCI.—WILLIAM MITTEN. 
 
 87 
 
 MUSCI. 
 
 By William Mitten, A.L.S. 
 
 The number of the mosses as yet known to occur in the island of Bodriguez is 
 thirty-three, of these ten were gathered in a fertile state, the remaining twenty- 
 three being barren. With one exceptional! the genera are the same as those known 
 from Africa or the Mascarene Islands, and thirteen of the species are identical with 
 those found in those countries. Three species are found also in India and the 
 Indian Archipelago, and seventeen are considered to he new, of these eleven are 
 without fruit, and six fertile. 
 
 The most interesting moss is the OrthotricJmm pUcatum, Beauv., before known 
 only from the specimens gathered in Bourbon by Du Petit Thouars, described and 
 well figured by Schweegrichen; it is undoubtedly a member of the family of the 
 Ortliotriclia^ but its characters as a genus are intermediate, and its position in that 
 family unique. A few species correspond with those from the western coast of 
 tropical Africa, and it appears from what little is yet known of the mosses of the 
 eastern coast that some species have an enormous range in the African continent. 
 
 Cosmopolite mosses are represented solely by TVelsia controversa. 
 
 Octoblepharum albidum, Lin, (Bryum). 
 
 Not a common species. Pound on decayed branches of trees and vegetable 
 humus. 
 
 Calymperes (Hyophilina) laevifolium, 
 
 CaiiUs ascendens ramosus. Folia dense inserta e basi erecta dilatata late 
 obovata margine minute crenulata intus cellulis hyalinis areolata exinde patentia 
 lineali ligulata apice lato acuta subapiculatave margine incurvo canaliculata inte- 
 gerrima cellulis minutis sublmvibus obscuris et ad margines folii basis erectioris 
 liinbum formautibus descendentibus areolata, vitta intramarginalis nulla. Polia 
 anomala longiora erecta attenuata apice propagulis glomerulatis coronata. 
 
 Stems about half an inch high, with the leaves a line and a half wide. The 
 uppermost leaves green, the lower all brown, about a line long, when dry, curved 
 and loosely contorted. 
 
 Not uncommon. 
 
 In its leaves this moss comes nearest the South American C. Iticliardi, C. Mull, 
 and C. parasiticum, Sw., and differs from the African C. Afzelii, Sw. in the absence 
 of the marginal vitta. 
 
 Calymperes pallidum, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis brevis subsimplex. Folia a basi paruni latiore erecta cellulis hyalinis 
 areolata margine superiore crenulata exinde 2 )atentia oblongo-lanceolata, cellulis 
 rotundatis vix obscuris papillis brevibus aspera, nervo crassiusculo coucolori intus 
 
88 
 
 . BOTANY OF KODRIGUEZ. 
 
 extusque scabro percursa, vitta angusta sub-intra-marginali lutescente circumclata. 
 Eolia anomala augustiora ex apice nervi glomemla corpuscularum viridium fusi- 
 formium ferentia. 
 
 Stems about two lines high. Leaves a line long, pale glaucous green when dry, 
 loosely incurved and contorted. 
 
 Frequent. 
 
 In the structure of the leaf nearest to C. mrmm from Ceylon and Moulmein, 
 in the glaucous appearance of the ujDper cells like C. Dozyammi^ Mitt. (C. Ifoluc- 
 cense, Bryol. Jav. t. 37; but not of Schwsegrichen), so widely spread in the Indian 
 Archipelago and Pacific Islands. 
 
 Weisia (Euweisia) controversa, Hedw, Fund, Muse. Frond, iii. 12 t. 5. 
 
 Everywhere on the banks of streams. 
 
 Weisia (Hyophila) Roscheri, Lorentz. 
 
 Found with other species of Weisia. 
 
 Small barren stems, which agree j^retty well with others from Zanzibar. The 
 species is very similar to TF, {S.) involuta, so common in India. 
 
 Weisia (Tortularia) incerta, Mitt. 
 
 Cemlis brevis ramosus. Folia patentia patenti-recurvaque lineali ligulata apice 
 obtusa, nervo crasso rufescente in mucronem brevem excurrente, marginibus superi- 
 oribus inflexis integerrimis, cellulis superioribus rotundatis obscuris basalibus paucis 
 oblongis parvis rectangulatis hyalinis. 
 
 Stem a quarter of an inch high. Leaves one line long, dark green, when old of 
 a rusty brown colour. 
 
 Common on banks of streams. 
 
 This appears to be a moss very nearly resembling W. navicularis, Mitt. Muse. 
 Austr. Amer. 139, but it is a species of which too little is known to render its 
 position here well ascertained. 
 
 Tortula (Planbelia) mutica, Mitt. 
 
 Humilis, subsimplex. Folia erecto-patentia ovato-oblonga obtusissima, nervo 
 valido concolori sub apice abrupto dorso superne aspero interne Isevi carinata, inte- 
 gerrima, cellulis superioribus parvis fere obscuris inferioribus basin versus rotundo- 
 quadratis parvis pellucidis. 
 
 Stems two lines high, red. Leaves one third of a line long, glaucous green, 
 when dry contorted. 
 
 Along with species of Weisia, but more scarce. 
 
 Very near to T. orientalis, Willd., and to Fottia {Hyophila) papillinervis, 
 Lorentz, from Zanzibar, which is doubtless a species of this group, being very 
 similar to T. orientalis in size, habit, and in the structure of its leaveso 
 
MUSCL—WILLIAM MITTEN. 
 
 89 
 
 Leiomitrium, genus nov. 
 
 Cciulis repens ramis fertilibus erectis. Theca exserta. JPeristomium duplex 
 externum octodentatum (dentibus bigeminatis) internum octociliatum. Calyptra 
 campanulata plicis nullis. 
 
 L. plicatum, Beaux). Brodr. 81; ScJmcegr. t. 52 (Ortliotricbum). 
 
 Not uncommon. 
 
 This curious and interesting species bas been well figured and described by 
 Scliwsegrichen, its habit is that of a 3Iacromitrium, its leaves like those of the 
 species of Zygodon which are allied to Z. viridissimus, and its capsule and peristome 
 as in Tllota ; there is, however, no species of Ortliotriclium or JJlota to which it 
 has any resemblance, except in its capsule. In the non-plicate calyptra this genus 
 agrees with Schlotheimia, without, however, having any other near affinity or 
 resemblance. 
 
 Macromitrium astroideum, 
 
 CauVis repens prostratus, foliis e basi patente divergentibus apice incurvis hastato- 
 lanceolatis acuminatis apice angustis cellulis inferne oblongis nonnullis curvulis 
 superioribus rotundatis obscuris areolata, rami dense dispositi breves erecti densifolii, 
 foliis linealibus e basi suboblonga erecta cellulis pellucidis angustis oblongis paucis 
 curvatis papillis elevatis intus asperis, exiude patentibus apice obtuse acutis incurvis 
 cellulis rotundis densis obscuris vix papillosis areolatis costa superne concolori inferne 
 flavescente percursa carinatis. 
 
 Stems creeping in a centrifugal manner with closely set branches about a line 
 high. Leaves one line long, when dry curled and contorted, forming globular 
 tufts. 
 
 Eare. Only at the top of Oyster Elver valley, trailing over boulders. 
 
 This appears to be near M. fimbriatum, Schw., but has narrower leaves. 
 
 Macromitrium aciculare, Brid.; Schwcegr. t. 111. 
 
 Occurs more commonly than the foregoing. 
 
 Stems all liarren, but agree with Mauritian specimens. It appears to be one of 
 the most abundant amongst a group of very closely allied species found in 
 Mauritius. 
 
 Bartramia (Philonotis) pungens, Mitt. 
 
 Dioica. Caidis erectus ascendensve late cmspitosns gracilis rufus infra peri- 
 chetium ramis plerumque ad unam lateram decurvis ramosus. Folia laxe imbricata 
 erecto-patentia lanceolata sensun angustata acutissima costa angusta dorso denti- 
 culata percursa margine parum recurva serrulata e cellulis oblongis laxis pellucide 
 areolata, pericluetialia e basi dilatata ovata subulata nervis Icevioribus. Theca in 
 pedunculo rubro smpe sinuoso parva globoso-pyriformis inclinata sicca plicata oper- 
 culo convexo breviter mamillata peristomio normali. Flos mascuhis gemmiformis 
 rufus foliis perigonialibus e basi dilatata excavata vagiuante sensim angustatis 
 elonsatis remotius serrulatis. 
 
 C 
 
 21 . 
 
 31 
 
90 
 
 J30TANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Stems half an inch or more high, with the leaves half a line wide. Leaves when 
 dry appressed, rather soft in substance, the upper of a pale sub-glaueous green, the 
 lower pellucid, with the nerves and margin pale brown. Seta three-quarters of an 
 ineh high, shining. Capsule when dry and deoperculate curved and plicate, of a red 
 brown colour. 
 
 On moist rocks near the sources of all streams. 
 
 Very nearly resembling the Ceylon B. imhricahila, Mitt. Muse. Ind. Or., but 
 with narrower and more lax areolation. The male flower is like that of B. rufiflorw^ 
 Hornsch. in Mart. Tlor. Brasil. 
 
 Plate 37 A. 1. Plants of the natural size. 2. Leaves. 3. Portion of peri- 
 chsetium. 4. Capsule mature with opereulum. 5. Older collapsed capsule. 6. 
 Male flower: all magnified. 
 
 Bartramia (Pliilonotis) flaccidifolia, Mitt. 
 
 Gracilis, subsimplex. Folia caulina laxe inserta apicalia subsecunda planiuscula 
 late lanceolata acuta nervo dorso Isevi in acumen pungentem dissolute margine 
 parum recurva serrulata, eellulis oblongis laxis pellucidis areolata. Polia in ramu- 
 lorum inferiorum nonnulla parva obtusa. 
 
 Pound with the foregoing. 
 
 Larger than B. pungens, with leaves twice as wide, but in their substanee less 
 different, although more flaceid. It is possible that this may be only an altered 
 state of B. pungens by some peeuliarity of locality, but its appearance is diffe¬ 
 rent. 
 
 Brachymenium pulchrum, Mook. Bot. Miscell. i. t. 38. 
 
 On the stems of many trees. 
 
 A small quantity of plants whieh appear to be a young state of this or some 
 nearly allied species. When dry the foliage is much twisted, but the form of the 
 leaf is as in the S. African moss. 
 
 Bryum eiythrocaulon, Schweegr. t. Ixxx. 
 
 Widely spread on the island. 
 
 The specimens agree well with barren examples from Mauritius and Natal. The 
 species appears to have softer and narrower leaves than is usual in B. leptothecium, 
 Tayh, which in other respects is very closely allied. 
 
 Bryum megalacrion, Schweegr. t. 71. 
 
 Common on trees. 
 
 Specimens barren. 
 
 Bryum pachypoma, Mont, in Ann. Sc. Nat. 3d ser. iv. 104. 
 
 Bare. Only in a few places on rotten wood. 
 
 Stems mostly barren, all without fruit. They agree with speeimens from Ceylon^ 
 and Java. 
 
MUSCI.—WILLIAM MITTEN. 
 
 91 
 
 Rhacopilum Africanum, Mitt, in Journ. Linn. Soc. vii. 162. 
 
 Found intermingled with species of Ectropotliecium on moist rocks in the bed 
 of streams. 
 
 Specimens barren, but they appear to be in no way different from those from 
 the western coast of tropical Africa. The species differs from L. mucronatuni^ 
 Beauv. Prodr. 66, in the cells of its leaves being larger and easily defined with a 
 lens that leaves those of mncronatuni obscure. 
 
 Callicostella laeviuscnla, 3Htt. 
 
 Synoica. CauUs procumbens. Folia compressa, media late ovali oblonga apice 
 obtusa late sub-apiculata, intermedia longiora apice truncato obtusa, lateralia apice 
 late acuta, omnia costis divergentibus sub apice abruptis dorso parum erosis mar- 
 gini])us versus apicem crenulatis cellulis parvis rotundis laivibus areolata; perichse- 
 tialia erecta vaginulam vix tegentia. Theca in pedunculo rubro loevi horizontalis 
 decurvave ovalis operculo longe subulato calyptra ad medium tliecie descendente 
 apice scabra, peristomii dentibus crassiusculis solidis caeterum normalibus. 
 
 Abundant. 
 
 One of a large genus, most of the species of which to the naked eye resent 
 scarcely any obvious differences ; on a close examination, however, of the areolation 
 of the leaves considerable differences are apparent in the form of the cells, in the 
 presence or absence of the papillae, also in the position of the papillae on the cells ; 
 due consideration being given to this, C. Iceviiiscula is allied in structure to C, 
 papiUata, Mont., so widely distributed in the Pacific islands, to C. Africana, Mitt, 
 in Linn. Trans, xxiii. 53. t. 5, f. ix., from tropical Africa, to C. depressa., Swartz, from 
 the West Indies, and to C. Martiana and C. Merheli and C. microca)pa, Hornsch., 
 all from S. America, but appears to differ from all in its shorter' leaves which are 
 not evidently papillose. 
 
 Plate 37* B.—1, stem of the natural size ; 2, a leaf from the middle series of the 
 upper side of the stem ; 3, a leaf of the intermediate series on the same side ; 4, a 
 lateral leaf; 5, perichsetium ; 6, capsule with calyptra : all magnified. 
 
 Meteorium involutifolium, Mitt, in Journ. Linn. Soc. vii. 156. 
 
 Not common. At the top of Oyster Biver Valley. 
 
 Specimens showing the moss in a young or incomplete state, with simple stems 
 about an inch long, arising from a creeping rhizoma-likc stem denuded of leaves. 
 On the ascending branches the leaves are imbricated, and at their points are con¬ 
 gested into a cuspidate bud, tliey are inserted in five twisted rows. This species is 
 found also in Madagascar as well as on the Western Coast. Fertile stems are frond¬ 
 like, and show the species to be nearly related to 31. 3Iaiiineuse, Sulk, and Crypto- 
 theca cochlearifolia, Hornsch. 
 
 Pterogoniiim curvi folium, Mitt. 
 
 Monoicum. Caulis primarius repens radicellis purpureis apice ascendens arcu- 
 atus. Ptami laxe dispositi ascendentes simplici vel interdum ramosi. Folia ramea 
 
 M 2 
 
92 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 patentia iucurva paruin compressa sicca tereti imbricata, late ovato acuminata con- 
 cava margine recto ob prominentia cellularum parietum minute crennlata nervo fur¬ 
 cate brevi snbobsoleto, cellulis superioribus angnste elongate oblongis apicibus in 
 papillas elevatis basin versus ad lateras densis minutis transverse oblongo-rotundis 
 obscurioribus, perichsetialia duplo majora patentia ovato-lanceolata Iseviora. Flos 
 masculus exilissimus. 
 
 Stems about an inch long. Branches three to four lines long, when wet straight, 
 when dry curved, with the leaves one fourth of a line wide. 
 
 Found sparingly on trees in Oyster Bay Valley. 
 
 This pretty moss forms extensive rather loosely interwoven patches. In minia¬ 
 ture it has the habit of P. gracile; it differs from Clasmaiodon^ Uahrodon, and 
 Anisodon in the almost obsolete nerve and papillose leaves. 
 
 Plate 37 C.—1, stem of the natural size; 2, a portion with leaves ; 3 and 4, leaves 
 detached : all magnified. 
 
 Anomodon exilis, 3IiU. in Journ. Linn. Soc. xiii. 309. 
 
 Bare. 
 
 A single stem amongst Fferogonium curmfolium agrees well with the South 
 African specimen. The species is allied to A. triste, Cesati, but has the foliage of 
 its branches compressed. 
 
 Neckera Lepineana, Mont, in Ann. Sc. Nat. 3*^ ser. x. 107. 
 
 Only in Valley Bivi^re des Huitres, trailing over the boulders. 
 
 Agrees with specimens from Madagascar and from Johanna, where it was 
 gathered by Speke. The species is found in Ceylon, the Indian Archipelago, ai"\d 
 the Pacific islands. Its fruit is rare. 
 
 Sematophyllum fulvifohum, Mitt. 
 
 Monoicum. CauUs decumbens ramosus. Folia compressa interdum secunda laxe 
 imbricata ovata ovaliaque parum acuminata acuta concava, margine late subplana 
 integerrima breviter olisoleteque binervia cellulis oblongis distinctis obscuriusculis 
 alaribus ntrinqne tribus majoribns pellncidis areolata, perichcetialia erecta longiora 
 acuminata. Theca in pedunculo gracili rnbro ovalis suberecta inclinatave basi 
 callosa, opercnlo convexo tenui curvirostro, peristomii dentibus luteis infernc latis 
 crassis. 
 
 Stems an inch long, with the leaves scarcely a line wide. Leaves green, almost 
 glossy. Seta four lines long. Capsule greenish brovm, after the fall of the red 
 operculum, much contracted below the mouth and urceolate, at its base Avhere con¬ 
 tracted into the seta is a callous ring. 
 
 Not uu common. 
 
 The specimens appear to be specifically identical with a moss gathered in 
 Mauritius by Telfair, Bewsher, and Pike, in which the leaves are usually fulvous. 
 S. hr achy carpmn^ Ilampe Ic. xi., has narrower leaves Avith a different areolation. 
 
MUSCI.—WILLIAM MITTEN. 
 
 93 
 
 In the obscure cells of the leaf S. fidvifolium agrees with the South American 
 S. Kegelianmn, C. Muller. 
 
 Plate 37 D.—1, stem of the natural size ; 2, leaves from the same ; 3, perichm- 
 tium and male flower ; 4, capsule with operculum ; all maguifiecl. 
 
 Sematopliyllum incurvum, Mill. 
 
 Moiioicum. Caulis repeus pinuatus ramis assurgeutihus iiicurvis. Folia 
 cauliua ovato-lauceolata acuminata coucava uervis biuis hrevihus uuo validiore vel 
 ohsoletis, margiue obsolete serrulata ramea uudique pateutia sicca sursum secuuda 
 elliptico-lauceolata coucava margiue recurva iutegerrima euervia e cellulis elougatis 
 augustis basi ad aiigulos rotuudatis iiicrassatis alaribus oblongis hyaliuis : perichre- 
 tialia erecta cauliuis similia duplo lougiora. Theca in peduuculo breviusculo rubro 
 ovalis horizontalis peudulave, basi apophyse calloso, operculo couvexo loiige oblique 
 rostrato. 
 
 The prostrate slems are about an inch long, the branches from two to three lines 
 long, and with the leaves about two-thirds of a line wide. The leaves glossy green 
 and straw coloured. Fela three lines long. 
 
 Common. 
 
 This differs greatly in the substance of its leaves from S. fidvifoliiim, and agrees 
 more nearly with S. hrachijcarpum, from which it may be distinguished by the form 
 of its leaves, which are all directed upwards on the incurved brandies. 
 
 Plate 38 A.—1, stem of the natural size ; 2, leaves detached ; 3, perichoetium 
 and male flower; 4 and 5, capsules, one with calyptra. 
 
 Ectropothecium scaturagiiieum, Brid. ii. 418 (Ilypnum). 
 
 Perhaps the commonest species on the island. 
 
 Specimens all without fruit, varying greatly in appearance, but not much in the 
 form of the leaves. 
 
 Ectropothecium subenerve, 3Iitl. 
 
 Caulis procumbens pinuatus ramis assurgentibus in ccespitem intertextus. Folia 
 caulina compressa subsecunda ovata acuminata iiitegerrima, nervis obsoletis, cavius- 
 cula ad margines vix implaua, e cellulis elougatis augustis firniis areolata. 
 
 Branches from three to six lines long, with the leaves three-fourths of a line 
 wide. 
 
 Along with the foregoing. 
 
 Ectropothecium doliare, 3Iill. 
 
 Monoicum. Caulis procumbens intricatus foliis a symmetricis ovato-lanceolatis. 
 Bami ascendentes in crespitem laxum congesti foliis distichaceis compressis apicibus 
 decurvis sul)falcatis fulcatisvc anguste lanceolatis omnibus margiue apicem versus 
 minute serrulatis, nervis binis brevibus subobsoletis, celluhs elougatis augustis Icevibus 
 areolatis; perichmtialibus longioribus subulato-angustatis. Theca in pedimculo 
 gracili breviter ovalis pendula operculo couvexo lirevirostro, peristomio e dentibus 
 
94 
 
 BOTANY OF EODRIGUEZ. 
 
 latis crassis interno processibus et ciliis in uno coalitis in membranam alte exsertam 
 insidentibns. 
 
 Branches witli tlie leaves about two-tbirds of a line wide. Leaves pale green, 
 glossy. Seta lialf an incli long. Cajysule small and short. 
 
 Very common on clay rocks on the banks of streams. Porming extensive soft 
 loose patches, in which the ramification, so frequently elegantly pinnate in allied 
 species, is in the present scarcely perceptible. 
 
 Plate 38 B.—1, a stem of the natural size ; 2, a leaf from the middle series on 
 the upper side of the stem ; 3, a leaf from the intermediate series of the same side ; 
 4, a lateral leaf : 5, j^erichcetium and male flower; 6, capsule. 
 
 Ectropothecium subnlosum, 311 tt. 
 
 Caulis procumbens radicans ramis brevibus pinnatim ramosns. Folia subcom- 
 pressa lateralia patentia apicalia subfalcata, omnia lanceolato-subulata, caulina 
 integerrima, ramea apicem versus sub-serrulata, costis binis brevibus inconspicuis, 
 subobsoletis, cellulis angustis firmis areolata. 
 
 Branches about two lines long ascending, with the leaves two-thirds of a line 
 wide. Leaves green, shining, scarcely altering when dry. 
 
 Prequent along with the preceding. 
 
 This moss nearly resembles a Mauritian speeies in its narrow leaves, but seems a 
 little larger and of a firmer substance. 
 
 Hypnum (Rhynchostegiinn) pectinatum, 3Iitt. 
 
 Caulis procumbens ramis assurgentibus. Folia laxe inserta patula compressa, 
 sicca pectinatim patula, ovata acuta vel breviter acuminata argute serrulata, 
 costa tenui ultra medium evanida, cellulis ubique elongatis teneris mollibus areo¬ 
 lata. 
 
 Stems with branches an inch long, slender, with leaves one line long, subpellucid, 
 thin and glossy. 
 
 Not common : on dry places. 
 
 Nearly resembling a species from Natal, and also the S. African S. rhaphido- 
 rliynchum^ C. Muller, but not exactly agreeing with any. 
 
 Fissidens procumbens, Ilitt. 
 
 Caulis elongatus inferne procumbens crassiusculus simplex. Folia alterna 
 patentia lineari-lanceolata acuta, costa vix pellucida in apice evanida, lamina vera 
 ultra medium producta acuta, dorsali angusta baud decurrente, ubique integerrima 
 e cellulis minutis obscuris densis areolata. 
 
 Stems an inch or more long with the leaves a line wide. 
 
 Occurs in tufts occasionally. 
 
 A species to all appearance different from any of the large group to which it 
 belongs by its immargiuate obscure leaves, which are not crenulate from the promi- 
 
MUSCI.— ^^ILLIAM MITTEN. 
 
 95 
 
 nent marginal cells, as is so frequently observable among the species destitute of the 
 hyaline limb. 
 
 Fissidens brevifroiis, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis brevis oblique ascendens. Folia circiter sex juga longitudine increscentia 
 frondem sub-flabelliformem sistentia, superiora anguste linealia apice latiuscule 
 acuta nervo valido pallidiore percursa, lamina vera vix mediam folii attiugente 
 apice acuta parum insequale, dorsali ad nervi basin anguste continnata, e cellulis 
 minutis fere opacis areolata integerrima. 
 
 Stem a line long. The upper leaves one and a half line long, of a glaucous 
 olive green, becoming brown. 
 
 On clay rocks. Eare. 
 
 Allied to the S. African F. plumosus, ITornsch., but with leaves narrower at the 
 points and more opaque. 
 
 Fissidens flaccidus, Mitt, in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiii. 56. t. 6, f. xviii. 
 
 Sparingly on clay rocks. 
 
 The specimens, all of a dark brown colour, agree with those from Western 
 Africa. In this species the nerve vanishes some distance below the point of the 
 leaf, an uncommon circumstance in the genus. 
 
 Fissidens Vogelianus, Mitt, in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiii. 51. t. 5, f. x. 
 
 With Anthoceros fiiciformis. 
 
 The specimens have the leaves a little wider than in those from the Western 
 Coast of Africa. In other respects they agree closely. 
 
 HEPATICiE. 
 
 Bv William Mitten, A.L.S. 
 
 The entire number of the Ilepaticae is eighteen, of which thirteen were obtained 
 with more or less complete fructification and five only were barren. As in the 
 Mosses the genera are all African, but only three of the speeies are identical with 
 African or Mascarene forms; one only is also found in the Eastern Archipelago, 
 and one Anthoceros IcBvis may be said to be cosmopolitan. 
 
 Thirteen of the species appear to be new, of these nine are fertile and four 
 barren. 
 
 Lophocolea subrotunda, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis rcpens pallidus. Folia imbricata alterna explanata marginibus recurvis 
 convexa vel sursum secunda apicibus recurvis ovato-rotunda, apice rotundata sub- 
 retusave, integerrima; amphigastria parva caulem vix latitudiiie superantia quad- 
 rifida, basi uno latere cum folio subajacente anguste connexa, cellulis parvis rotun- 
 datis pellucidis areolata, perianthium triquetrum superne latiore, labiis longis spinosis; 
 
96 
 
 BOTANY OF EODRIGUEZ. 
 
 angiilis ala inconspicua. Folia involucralia apice bidentata cseterum integerrimaj basi 
 cum ampliigastrio magno dentibus pluribus spinosis elongatis connexa. 
 
 Not common. On decayed wood and peaty soil. 
 
 Allied to L. jiallkla^ Mitt, from Lord Auckland’s Islands, in its entwe leaves, 
 but altliougli less in size more nearly resembling L. heterophylla. No bidentate 
 leaves are observable exeept the two next the perianth. 
 
 Plate 38 0.—1. Plant of the natural size. 2. A portion with leaves and stipule 
 as seen on the dorsal side. 3. Perianth with involucral leaves and stipule : all 
 magnified. 
 
 Lophocolea opposita, Mitt. 
 
 CauUs procumbens. Folia explanata imbricata marginibus recurvis convexula, 
 oblongo-ovata, apice truncata sinu obtuso breviter bidentata integerrima, basi antice 
 smpius cum folio opposito decurrente connexa postiee cum ampliigastrio quadri- 
 dentato caule latiore utrinque coalita, e cellulis parvis rotundis areolata, involucralia 
 conformia margine dorsali ventralique dentibus 2-3 brevibus armata ampliigastrio 
 ovali apice breviter bi-quadridentato, perianthium triquetrum ala indistincta labiis 
 spinoso-dentatis. 
 
 Along with and in same situations as the last. Not common. 
 
 In size similar to L. semiteres {Chiloscyplms), Synops. Hepat. 190, but more 
 pellucid and of a pale whitish green. Among the small species of this genus, to 
 which the present must be placed, it is remarkable for its leaves being united in 
 front, or, as usually written, on the dorsal side of the stems. 
 
 Plate 38 D.—I. Plant of natural size. 2. Portion of stem with leaves and sti¬ 
 pule as seen on the dorsal side. 3. Involucral leaves and combined stipule 
 removed from the stem. 4. Perianth as seen on the side : all magnified. 
 
 Chiloscyphus oblongifolius, Mitt, in Trans. Linn. Soc. xxiii. 58. t. 6, f. xxii. 
 
 Common on the moist banks of streams. 
 
 Stems all barren, a little more robust than the specimens from the Niger ; other¬ 
 wise without difference. This species is found also in Mauritius. 
 
 Eadula appressa, 3Litt. 
 
 Cant is procumbens parum ramosus. Folia dorso imbricata divergentia sub- 
 obovata ob niarginem inferiorem medio sinuatum apice rotundato decurva integerrima 
 cellulis parvis densis obscuris dorso minute papulosis areolata, lobulo subquadrato 
 appresso apice obtuso ad medium usque folii latitudinis protracta basi ad insertionem 
 caulem ad medium tegente. 
 
 Verv abundant. 
 
 %/ 
 
 A small species resembling F. huccinifera, Taylor, and F. Novxe Ilollandice, 
 Ilampe. 
 
 Phragmicoma emergens, 3Iitt. 
 
 Caulis repens ramosus. Folia humida fere verticalia divergentia sicca imbricata 
 
HEPATIC^.—WILLIAM MITTEN. 
 
 97 
 
 ambitu explanata ovato-orbiculata, margine ventrali incurva lobulo semiorbiculari 
 plemmque tridenticulato appresso, cellulis rotundo-ovalibus exterioribus rotundiori- 
 bus carnosulis areolata, amphigastria transverse oblonga caulem duplo latiora apice 
 late truncata obtusa. Folia involucralia magna lobuloque apice rotundato una cum 
 ampbigastrio obovato rotundato integerrima. Ferianthium obovato-oblongum 
 emergens sub-compressum, dorso et ventre tricarinatum, igitur octoplicatum. 
 
 Stems and branches witli the leaves about a line wide. Leaves brown, with cells 
 twice the size of P. carinata. 
 
 Only in a few places on branches of trees. 
 
 Plate 39 A. 1. Portion of plant of the natural size. 2. Part of the stem with 
 leaves and stipule as seen on the ventral side. 3. The same as seen on the dorsal 
 side. 4. A leaf removed, as seen on the under side. 5. Perianth with capsule, with 
 involucral leaves and stipule, as seen on the ventral side. 6. Transverse outline of 
 the perianth : all magnified. 
 
 Phragmicoma carinata, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis repeus ramis pluribus irregularibus ramosus. Folia subverticaliter 
 patentia sicca imbricata, ambitu explanata ovato-rotundato margine ventrali incurva, 
 lobulo lato appresso semiorbiculari plerumque unidentato, e cellulis ovalibus carno¬ 
 sulis chlorophylloso obscuratis marginem versus rotundioribus areolata, amphigastria 
 caulem duplo latiora subrotunda apice lata subtruncata margine recurva subretusata. 
 Folia involucralia majora obovata obtusa angulatave lobulo oblongo, amphigastrium 
 magnum ovale apice obtusum integerrimum margine in medio apicis recuiwum. 
 Ferianthium emergens oblongum dorso planum ventre alte carinatum, igitur tripli- 
 catum. 
 
 Stems and branches with the leaves two-thirds of a line wide. Leaves obscure, 
 brown. When dry the older parts are ochraceous brown. 
 
 Common on trees. Often on the stem of Fandanus. 
 
 Plate 39 B. 1. Stem of the natural size. 2. A portion seen on the ventral side 
 with leaves and stipules. 3. A leaf as seen on the under side. 4. Perianth with 
 involucral leaves and stipule : all magnified. 
 
 Lejeunia Balfouri, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis procumbens parum ramosus subsimplex. Folia a dorso visa imbricata 
 convexula divergentia oblougo-ovalia rotundata integerrima, lobulo ventrali obsolete, 
 cellulis rotundis parvis crassiuscule limitatis Igevibus areolata. Amphigastria cauli 
 triplo latiora rotunda integerrima. Ferianthium in ramo brevissimo subsessile late 
 obcordatum applanatum Iseve marginibus superioribus undulato sinuatis rugosis. 
 Folia involucralia conformia lobulo parvo transverse oblongo apice obtuso, amphi¬ 
 gastrium ovali-rotundum integerrimum. 
 
 The stems with the leaves a line wide. 
 
 Common on the moist clay rocks at the sides of streams. In dull olive brown or 
 
 blackish patches. 
 
 21 . 
 
 N 
 
98 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Like L. Hobsoniana^ Lindenb, from the West Indian Islands, but perianth 
 destitute of wing or teeth, owing to its position near the base of the stems it 
 is very inconspicuous. 
 
 Plate 39 C. 1. Branch of the natural size. 2. A portion of the same seen on 
 the ventral side, with leaves and stipule. 3. Perianth with involucral leaves and 
 stipule seen on the ventral side: all magnified. 
 
 Lejeunia abortiva, 3£itt. 
 
 Caiilis vage pinnatim ramosus procumbens. Folia divergentia dorso imbricata 
 ovali orbiculata apicibus incurvis planisve integerrima, e cellulis rotundo-hexagonis 
 parietibus angustis nigro-fuscis areolata lobulo obsolete. Amphigastria parva 
 rotunda integerrima caulem vix duplo latiora. Folia involucralia amphigastriumque 
 majora conformia. Ferianthium obovatum obtusum, dorso planum, ventre bicari- 
 natum. Carinis vetralibus lateralibusque angulato erosis. 
 
 Stems with the leaves about half a line wide. Entire plant blackish brown. 
 
 Grows in tufts on the clay rocks. 
 
 Allied to L. subfusca, Nees ab E., but the carinse of the perianth are not alate 
 nor with elongated teeth. It may be the species mentioned in the Synopsis, p. 315, 
 under L. suhfusca, as from Mauritius, in which the lobule of the involucral leaves 
 is stated to be wanting. 
 
 Plate 39 I). 1. Plant of the natural size. 2. A portion of the stem with leaves 
 
 and stipules seen on the ventral side. 3. Perianth with subjacent leaves and sti¬ 
 pules as seen on ventral side. 4. Transverse outline of perianth : all magnified. 
 
 Lejeunia furva, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis procumbens ramosus. Folia subimbricata directione patula rotundata 
 integerrima cellulis rotundatis parietibus eras sis fuscoviridibus areolata, lobulo minuto 
 quadrato vel omnino obsoleto. Amphigastria rotunda parva caulem vix duplo 
 latiora bifida laciniis acutis. Fructus ad ramulorum latera. Folia involucralia 
 parva lobulo oblongo acuta. Ferianthium obovatum obtusum sequaliter quinque- 
 plicatum. 
 
 Stem with the leaves half a line wide. Entire plant dull brown, not altered in 
 drying. 
 
 Along with Mosses on the moist clays at the sides of streams. 
 
 A species with the habit of the European L. serpyllifolia^ but with round 
 leaves. 
 
 Plate 40 A. 1. Plant of the natural size. 2. Portion of the stem with leaves 
 and stipules, with perianth as usual arising from the side of lateral branch, also with 
 the capsule past maturity and empty, seen from the ventral side : all magnified. 
 
 Lejeunia surrepens, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis repens. Folia imbricata divergentia ovali orbiculata lobulo oblongo 
 
IIEP A TIC^ —WILLI 4M MI T T EN. 
 
 99 
 
 apice rectangulato ad medium marginis ventralis producta e cellulis rotundo-hexa- 
 gouis pellucidis sequalibus areolata. Amphigastria rotimdata caulem triple super- 
 antia, apice fissa, rarius indivisa. 
 
 Branches half a line wide. Foliage whitish green. 
 
 Not common on tree stems. 
 
 This appears to he not different from a specimen, also barren, from Mauritius. 
 The length the lobule continued along the ventral margin renders this immediately 
 distinguishahle from the numerous species resembling L. serpyllifolia. 
 
 Lejeunia angulifolia, 3Iitt. 
 
 Caulis repens ramosus. Folia alterna patenti divergentia subovata apice angu- 
 lata subacuta integerrima, lobulo subrotundo saccato, cellulis prominulis papulose 
 apice acuto, cellulse foliorum rotundatae pellucidse laeviae parietibus crassis obscuris 
 viridibus. Amphigastria minuta bifida caulem vix latiora. Folia involucralia 
 acutiora lobulo ovato acuto. Amphigastrimn ovale profunde fissum laciniis acutis. 
 
 Stems with the leaves about one third of a line wide. Leaves all angled at the 
 apices, and occasionally with one or more angles on the dorsal margin. 
 
 On tree stems. Not uncommon. 
 
 A small species, less than L serpyllifolia, of a pale green colour. Allied to 
 L. Nilgiriana, Mont., but more tender and with a more lax areolation. 
 
 Lejeunia minutissima, Sm. 
 
 Gathered sparingly on stems of trees. 
 
 Lejeunia subciliata, 3Litt. 
 
 Caulis repens appressus ramosus. Folia imbricata, dorso j)laniuscula, late ovata 
 apice rotundata, margine dorsali cellulis elongatis hyalinis tenerrimis scarioso mar- 
 ginata, cellulis reliquis rotundo-hexagonis parietibus crassiusculis areolata, lobulo 
 tumido ovale apice apiculo spiniformi terminate. Amphigastria nulla. 
 
 Nearly related to L. planissima, Mitt., from Ceylon, which has the same kind 
 of scarious margin, hut is much more closely adherent to bark. 
 
 Stem with the leaves scarcely more than half a line wide. Leaves whitish green, 
 closely appressed to the bark on which the specimens were growing. The scarious 
 margin is composed of a single row of elongate cells placed side by side, and an 
 irregularity in their length causes the edge to be crose ; this hyaline limb of diverse 
 cells is here and there broken off, leaving the margin of the leaf itself entire. 
 
 E-are on stems. 
 
 Plate 40 B.—1. Stem of the natural size. 2. A portion of tlie same as seen on 
 the ventral side. 3. Portion of the edge of the leaf on the dorsal edge: all mag¬ 
 nified. 
 
 Frullania obscurifolia, 3Iitt. 
 
 Caulis procumbens repensve ramis vagis subpinnatim ramosus. Folia imbricata 
 orbiculata e cellulis angulato rotundis parietibus angustis teneris sed chlorophylloso 
 
100 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 obscuris, lobulo ovali dimidium folii longitudinis tegente compresso apice paululum a 
 cauli divergente interdum explanato lacinia minuta interjecta. Amphigastria caulem 
 duplo latiora rotundata apice breviter bifida laciniis extus unidentatis. Folia invo- 
 lucralia ovalia lobulo lato ovato-lanceolato acuto inferne lacinia dentiformi instructa 
 ampliigastrioque prof unde bifido laciniis acutis integerrimis. Ferianthmm obo- 
 vatum obtusum, apiculo brevi, compressum, dorso uni ventre bicarinatum. 
 
 Common on trees. 
 
 Similar to F. trinervis, Lehm. et Lindenb., from S. Africa, but differing in its 
 obscure areolation and the longer lobule of its leaves. 
 
 Plate 40 C.—1. Plant of natural size. 2. A portion of the stem with leaves 
 and stipules on the ventral side. 3. Perianth with involucral leaves and stipule. 
 4. Transverse section of perianth ; all magnified. 
 
 Frullania squarrosa, Nees ah F. 
 
 Very common on trees. 
 
 Frullania apicalis, Mitt. 
 
 Caulis gracilis pinnatim ramosus. Folia dorso convexa divergentia orbiculata 
 integerrima cellulis parvis rotundatis distinctis sed utriculo collapso obscuratis 
 areolata, lobulo ovali-cylindraceo erecto cauli parallello lacinia parva interjecta, in 
 ramulorum apicibus lobulo apice ad caulem incumbente, amphigastria obovata 
 bifida laciniis extus unidentatis, folia involucralia acuta lobulo ovato acutiore 
 ampliigastrioque marginibus dentatis. Ferianthmm oblongo-obovatum, dorso piano 
 ventre unicarinato. 
 
 Common on trees, specially on Pandanus. 
 
 In size and colour, as well as in the form and imbrication of its leaves, nearly 
 resembling F. Capensis, Gottsche Syn. Hep. 449, but with more the habit of F. 
 gracilis, and the leaves of the involucre dentate. 
 
 Plate 40 I).—1. Stems of the natural size. 2. Portion with leaves and stipules 
 as seen from the ventral side. 3. Perianth with involucral leaves and stipule : all 
 magnified. 
 
 Anthoceros laevis, Linn. 
 
 Common on moist clay rocks on the banks of streams. 
 
 Anthoceros fuciformis, Mont, in Ann. Sc. Nat. 2d ser. xx. 296. 
 
 Growing along with the foregoing. 
 
 This appears to be the same as the specimen from Bourbon. The spores are 
 opaque and echinulate. 
 
 CHARACEiE. 
 
 Chara Commersoni, A. Braun. 
 
 In many streams. 
 
101 
 
 LICHENES. 
 
 By Rev. J. M. Crombie, E.L.S. 
 
 Family COLLEMACEI. 
 
 Tribe Collemei. 
 
 Collema, sp.-? 
 
 Several specimens of a Collema occur which externally bears some resemblance 
 to young states of C. Jiaccidum, but sterile and with the thallus discoloured so as to 
 be quite iudeterminable. 
 
 On trunks of trees sparingly. 
 
 Leptogium tremeUoides, Ach. 
 
 Sufficiently typical, and also occasionally somewhat atypical. 
 
 Common, on the trunks of trees ; fertile. 
 
 Family LICHENACEI. 
 
 Tribe Cladoniei. 
 
 Cladonia Balfouri, Cromb. 
 
 Thallus minor, basi squamulosus, squamulis parvis, albo-glaucescentibus, sub- 
 firmulis, crenatis, podetiis simplicibus, brevissimis, apice raro divisis, albo-pulve- 
 rulentis (vel pulvere subvirescenti-albo obductis), K —, contra squamis Kd- 
 (flaventibus); apothecia fusca (ut videtur), rite evoluta non visa. 
 
 The general aspect of this plant is sufficiently peculiar to warrant its being 
 regarded as a distinct species, notwithstanding that the specimens seen are probably 
 not fully developed as to thallus. Only a few faint traces of young apothecia are 
 visible, which would refer it to the Phseocarpse, where it seems to have its affinity 
 in the section of C. pyxidata. 
 
 On dead stumps of trees ; not common. 
 
 Ti-ibe Roccellei. 
 
 Roccella Montagnei, Bel., f. teretior, Cromb. 
 
 This form is distinguished by the narrow rounded thallus, which gives it more 
 the aspect of B. phycopsis than of B. fuciformis, which typical specimens more 
 closely resemble. 
 
 On rocks; infertile. 
 
 Various and evidently young states, which seem referable to this form, are also 
 present. 
 
102 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Tribe Usneei. 
 
 Usnea florida (i.), Ach. 
 
 On the branches of trees ; sparingly and infertile. 
 
 Usnea dasypogoides, Nyl. 
 
 “ Subsimilis Usnece dasypogce, sed thallo snbflavido, Igevi, glabro, nee nisi in 
 ramulis vel fibrillis ssepius leviter sparsim setuloso (quibus setulis etiam distinguitur 
 ab TJ. trichodea, Ach.). Apothecia ignota.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 These specimens vary considerably in length, the largest being upwards of a foot 
 long. Unfortunately none of them are fertile, though scattered “ cephalodia” not 
 unfrequently occur. 
 
 Abundant on the branches of trees in the higher parts of the island. 
 
 Tribe Eamalinei. 
 
 Ramalina gracilenta, Ach. 
 
 On rocks and trees in the higher parts of the island ; fertile. 
 
 Ramalina gracilenta, Ach., f. nodnlosa, Cromh. 
 
 Thallus minute, densely branched and fastigiate, forming more or less rounded 
 nodules. 
 
 This is evidently a young or rather stunted condition of the plant, presenting a 
 somewhat singular appearance. In one specimen a single minute apothecium was 
 visible. 
 
 Rare ; on rocks with the type. 
 
 Ramalina farinacea, Ach., Nyl. 
 
 On the branchlets of trees; not common. In higher parts of island. Also found 
 in Mauritius. 
 
 Ramalina farinacea, Ach., Nyl., f. pendula {Schrad.). 
 
 On the branchlets of trees, wdth the type. 
 
 Ramalina subfraxinea, Nyl. 
 
 Common on the brandies of trees in the higher parts, along with Usnea dasy- 
 pogoides; fertile. 
 
 Ramalina canalicnlata, Tayl. 
 
 On the branches of trees ; fertile. 
 
 Ramalina canalicnlata, Tayl., f. brevier, Cromh. 
 
 Thallus shorter, ^-1 inch; lacinise rather broader. 
 
 On the branches of trees; fertile, but like the type. 
 
 Ramahna intermedia, Del., Nyl. 
 
 On rocks : not uncommon, but sterile. 
 
LICHENESEEV. J. M. CROMBIE. 
 
 103 
 
 Tribe Parmeliei. 
 
 Parmelia latissima, Del. 
 
 Very common on trees and rocks ; sterile. 
 
 The thallus is often discoloured, probably from the action of salt water. 
 
 Parmelia subconspersa, Nyl. 
 
 Common on rocks ; fertile. 
 
 Parmelia atrichoides, Nyl. 
 
 On rocks; sparingly and infertile. 
 
 Tribe Stictei. 
 
 Stictina dissimilis, Nyl. 
 
 On trees ; sparingly and infertile. 
 
 Stictina agyracea, f. insidiata, Nyl. 
 
 Thallus somewhat densely covered with isidia. 
 
 On trees ; sparingly and infertile. 
 
 Sticta aurata, Acli. 
 
 On trunks of trees and dry places, with Darmelia latissima; infertile. 
 
 Trihe Physciei. 
 
 Physcia flavicans, f. crocea (Ach.). 
 
 Pare; on the branches of trees. Only on Mount Piton, near south end; sterile. 
 
 Physcia speciosa {TTulf.). 
 
 Abundant, on trees and on boulders; fertile. 
 
 Physcia segialita {Ach. Syn. p. 179, sub Lecanora). 
 
 On rocks; fertile, but very sparingly gathered, only a single small specimen 
 being present. 
 
 Physcia picta (aS'w?.). 
 
 On bark of Pandanus, not uncommon. 
 
 Tribe Pyxinei. 
 
 Pyxine petricola, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus glaucescens, laciniis subintricato-contiguis, adnatis (latit. 1 millim. vel 
 angustioribus), late diffusus ; apothecia nigra, planiuscula, lecideina, marginata (latit. 
 1 millim. vel minora), vel margine extus epithallino obducta, intus obscura; sporae 
 8n£e, nigrescentes, oblongse, bilocidares, longit. 0’011-0*015 millim., crassit. 0-0045 
 millim.; epithecium cseruleo-nigricans; paraphyses graciles; hypothecium sub¬ 
 incolor. lodo gelatina hymenialis bene cserulescens. 
 
 “ Species certe bene distincta Aotis allatis. Thallus K=.”— Njl. in litt. 
 
 On rocks; sparingly. 
 
 Tribe Lecanorei. 
 
 Pannaria rubiginosa, f. cinerascens, Nyl. 
 
 Thallus greyish; otherwise similar to the type. 
 
104 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 On rocks. This species occurs only in the higher parts of island. Only two 
 apothecia visible on the specimen. 
 
 Two other sterile specimens may belong also to this form. 
 
 Pannaria rubiginosa, var. dispartita, Nyl. 
 
 “ Torsan propria species, tliallo tenuius diviso, effuso. Apothecia non visa.”— 
 Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On rotten stumps on the ground; sparingly. 
 
 Pannaria luridula, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus luridus, squamulosus, squamulis crenatis vel crenato-lobatulis, sub- 
 intricatis; apothecia testaceo-rufa vel testaceo-rufescentia (latit. circiter 1 milKm. 
 vel minora), bene lecanorina, margine thallino crassiusculo crenato; sporae ellip- 
 soideae, longit. 0’016-0'025 millim., crassit. 0‘009-0'011 millim. lodo gelatina 
 hymenialis caerulescens. 
 
 “ Affinis P. immixtce, Nyl., sed color thalli luridus et hypothallus niger ullus vix 
 visibilis etc.”— Nyl. in Utt. 
 
 On the ground; rare. 
 
 Coccocarpia molybdaea, Fers. 
 
 Not uncommon on bark of trees ; infertile. 
 
 Heppia Rodriguezi, Cromb. 
 
 Thallus cervino-luridus, adnato-squamulosus, squamulis planiusculis vel alibi 
 convexiusculis, subanguloso-rotundatis (latit. 1-2 millim. vel saepius minoribus, 
 crassit. circiter O'25 millim.), contiguis aut subdispersis ; apothecia rubello-carnea, 
 concaviuscula, innata (latit. 0*2-0'3 millim.); thecae polysporae; sporae breviter 
 ellipsoideae vel oblongo-ellipsoideae, longit. 0'004-0'006 millim., crassit. 0*0025-0'0035 
 millim., paraphyses gyacilescentes. lodo gelatina hymenialis caerulescens, dein thecae 
 praesertim violacee rubescentes. 
 
 This is a fine species, which is at once distinguished by the colour of the 
 apothecia. The syngonimia are usually sufficiently small, and then contain but 
 few gonimia. With the exception of the colour of the apothecia, it presents almost 
 the appearance oi Leccmora cervina, Pers. {squamulosa, Schrad.). 
 
 On rocks ; very rare in the Cascade Valley; only a few apothecia visible. 
 
 Lecanora murorum, var. lobulata, {S^nrf.). 
 
 As the thallus is not sufficiently developed in the specimen seen, the plant is 
 somewhat uncertain, although the apothecia and spores agree with this variety. 
 Spores 0'010-0'013 millim. long, 0'006-0'007 millim. thick. 
 
 On rocks ; not common. 
 
 Lecanora cinnabarina, {Sic.). 
 
 Prequent on rocks ; in the specimens seen associated with other lichens, and not 
 very characteristic. 
 
LICHENES.—REV. J. M. CROMBIE. 
 
 105 
 
 Lecanora aurantiaca, (Liglitft^. 
 
 On the bark of trees ; sufficiently typical, but very sparingly gatliered. Spores 
 0‘011-0’016 millim. long. 0*006-0*010 millim. thick. 
 
 Lecanora aurantiaca, var. isidiosella. 
 
 A somewhat peculiar variety, which is well distinguished by the thallus being 
 more or less covered with subconcolorous isidia. The apothecia are also smaller 
 and only sparingly present in the few fragments seen. 
 
 On the bark of trees, associated with other lichens. 
 
 Lecanora aurantiella, Nyl. 
 
 “ Subsiniilis L. aurantiacoi et erythrellcB^ Ach., sed apotheciis minoribus et 
 innatis, spoils minoribus (longit. 0*010-0*012 millim., crassit. 0*006-0*008 millim.).” 
 -Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On rocks in the Cascade Valley, associated with other lichens. 
 
 Lecanora leucoxantha, (>S)jr.). 
 
 On the bark of 3fat1iurina penduUflora ; found in fine fruit. 
 
 Lecanora glaucofuscula, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus glauco-cmerascens (vel humidus cinereo-virescens), tenuis, continuus, 
 passim subrimosus; apothecia fusca, subinnata, plana (latit. circiter 0*05 millim.), 
 margine thallino tenui vel parum distincto cincta ; sporge Snae, incolores, placodince, 
 longit. 0*009-0*011 millim., crassit. 0*006-0*007 millim. ; epithecium (in lamina 
 tenui) iutescenti-inspersum (K purpurascens); hypothecium incolor. lodo gelatina 
 hymenialis intensive ceerulescens. Nulli cognitge affinis, vergens autem versus L. 
 enceplialarti (Kphb).”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On rocks ; sparingly. 
 
 Lecanora glaucofuscula, f. biatoroidea. 
 
 This differs from the type only in the apothecia having a more distinctly biatorine 
 appearance. 
 
 On rocks; like the type, very sparingly. 
 
 Lecanora apostatica, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus albiis vel albidus, tenuis, areolato-rimosus, hypothallo cserulescenti- 
 nigricante passim visibili; apothecia nigra, lecideina, plana, marginata (latit. 
 0*05-0*07 millim.), intus albida ; sporae 8iige, incolores, placodinge, longit. 0*011-0*015 
 millim., crassit. 0*005-0*008 millim.; paraphyses mediocres; epithecium et peri- 
 thecium cgerulescenti-nigrescentia; liypothecium incolor. lodo gelatina hymenialis 
 intensive cserulescens. 
 
 “ Est species c stirpe Lecanorce diphyoclis, proximai. Kurzii (Kphb.). Affinitas 
 videtur inter Lecanoras, etiamsi apothecia lecideina. Thallus K Havens. Sper- 
 mogonia arthrosterigmatibus munita; spermatia minutula, oblongo-cylindrica, longit. 
 0*002 millim., crassit. 0*0006 millim.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 Kot un()ommon on cindery rocks. 
 
 21. 
 
 0 
 
106 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Lecanora obliquans, Nyl. 
 
 “ Differt tliallo cinerasceute tenuissimo continuo. Occurrit quoque epitliecio 
 alho-suffuso. Porsan propria species.”— Nijl. in lUt. 
 
 Very common on rocks, giving them a white appearance. 
 
 Lecanora carneofhsca, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus glauco-cinerascens vel glauco-albidus, tenuis, insequalis, areolato- 
 rimulosus; apothecia carneo-fusca vel rufescenti-fusca, lecanorina (latit. 1 millim. 
 vel minora), margine thallino integro cincta; sporse 8n9B, incolores, placodinge, 
 longit. O'Oll-O'OlS millim., crassit. 0'007-0*009 millim.; paraphyses fere mediocres; 
 epithecium sordide suhlutescens. lodo gelatina hymenialis intensive cserulescens. 
 
 Species accedens ad Lecanoram camptidiam. Tuck., a qua thallo areolato 
 rimuloso et sporis nonnihil majorihus praesertim dilfert.”— Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 On rocks. Common. 
 
 Lecanora subfnsca, f. pumicicola, Nyl. 
 
 “ Dilfert a f. campestri, Schaer. praesertim thallo subdisperso, e granulis sat 
 tenuibus constans vel variantibus convexiusculis, ambitu subcrenatis (latit. 1 millim^ 
 vel minoribus), passim contiguis. Apothecia fusca (latit. 1 millim. vel minora) ; 
 margine thallino integro aut obsolete subcrenulato; sporae longit. 0'011-0’012 
 millim., crassit. 0‘006-0’007 millim.; paraphyses tenues, molles ; epithecium rufes- 
 centi-fuscum. lodo gelatina hymenialis caerulescens, dein violaceo tincta.— Nyl. in 
 lilt. 
 
 This very distinct form may easily be recognised by the above characters of the 
 thallus, &c. 
 
 Common on cindery rocks. 
 
 Lecanora subflavicans, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus albidus vel albido-flavescens, tenuis, granuloso-inaequalis (K4-, 
 ■davens) ; apothecia testaceo-lutescentia vel testaceo-pallida (latit. (0’5-0’8 millim.), 
 margine crassiusculo-ruguloso-inaequali vel demum integro cincta; sporae 8nae, 
 incolores, ellipsoidae, longit. 0‘010-0‘012 millim., crassit. 0'006-0‘008 millim.; para¬ 
 physes gracilescentes ; epithecium inspersum. lodo gelatina hymenialis caerulescens, 
 dein thecae violaceo tinctae. 
 
 “ Est species quasi intermedia inter Lecanoram suhgranulatam et L. albellam.’^ 
 Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 On the bark of trees; common. 
 
 Lecanora achroa, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus glaucescens, tenuis, rugulosus, demum rimosus, nigricanti-limitatus (K 
 havens); apothecia lutescenti-pailida, plana (latit. 0’5-0’6 millim.), superficialia, 
 margine thallino subcrenato vel subintegro cincta; sj)orae 8nae, ellipsoidae, longit. 
 0-010-0-016 millim., crassit. 0-006-0-008 millim.; paraphyses graciles; epithecium 
 
LICIIENES.—REV. J. M. CROMBIE. 
 
 107 
 
 granuloso-inspersum. lodo gelatina liymenialis caerulescens, dein thecae obscure 
 nonnihil violacee tinctae. 
 
 “ Ex affinitate videtur Lecmior(B clilaronce. Spermatia vulgo leviter arcuata, 
 longit. 0’018-0'028 millim., crassit. O'OOOS millim. (minus arcuata quam in compa- 
 randa L. acliroella., quae simul aliis notis differt.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On hark of trees, specially on l^andamis. 
 
 Lecanora achroella, Nyl. 
 
 “Tliallus glaucescens, tenuis, sublaevigatus, rimulosus, nigricanti-limitatus (K 
 flavescens) ; apotliecia lutescenti-pallida, plana, suhinnata, minuta (latit. circiter 0‘3 
 millim.), margine thallino tenui integro cincta; sporae 8nae, ellipsoideae, longit. 
 0'009-0’014 millim., crassit. 0’006-0'007 millim.; paraphyses graciles; epithecium 
 vix vel parum inspersum. lodo gelatina liymenialis caerulescens, dein thecae suh- 
 violaceo tinctae vel violaceo-fulvescentes. 
 
 ‘'Ex affinitate videtur Lecanorae chlaronce. Spermatia arcuata, longit. O’015- 
 0’018 millim., crassit. O’OOOS millim.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On the trunks of trees, associated with the preceding. 
 
 Lecanora perlutescens, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus flavidus vel alhido-flavescens, tenuis, suhleprosus, determinatus; 
 apotliecia cerino-lutea vel luteo-pallescentia (latit. 0’4-0’6 millim.), plana, margine 
 thallino tenui integro vel evanescente cincta; sporae 8nae, ohlongae vel ellipsoideae, 
 longit. 0’009-0’013 millim.; crassit. 0’0035 millim.; paraphyses gracilescentes; 
 epithecium inspersum. lodo gelatina liymenialis caerulescens, dein lutescens. 
 
 “ Affinis Lecanoroi lutescenti (DC) sed minor, magis determinata, sporae minores, 
 etc. Thallus et nonnihil apotliecia CaCl erythrinose vel aurantiace tincta. Spermatia 
 arcuata, longit. circiter O’OIG millim., crassit. 0'0005 millim.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On the hark of trees. 
 
 Lecanora conizaea {Ach.), Nyl. 
 
 Entirely similar to our European plant. Thallus CaCl—. Spores 0’010-0’014 
 •mil lim. long, 0’003-0’004 millim. thick. 
 
 On decayed wood, not common. 
 
 Lecanora conizopta, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus alhidus, tenuis, opacus, passim rimulosus (K flavens) ; apotliecia 
 carneo-lutea vel luteo-ruhella, suhinnata, plana (latit. 0’2-0’4 millim.), margine 
 thallino depresso insequali cincta; sporae Snae, ellipsoideae, simplices, longit. O’OIO- 
 0-012 millim., crassit. 0’005-0’006 millim.; paraphyses gracilescentes. lodo gelatina 
 liymenialis caerulescens. 
 
 “ Videtur e stirpe LsccinoTCB conizcBCB, et notis datis facile agnoscitur. Nyl. in 
 
 litt. 
 
 Common on rocks, and very abundant in many places. 
 
 0 2 
 
108 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 Lecanora parella * phlceoleuca, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallo tenuissimo albo prsesertim clifferens a typo, et facie apotheciorum sub- 
 pertusariodea. Sporse longit. 0’038-0'050 millim., crassit. 0'023-0‘025 millim. 
 Portasse propria species.”— Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 On the bark of trees. 
 
 Lecanora atra, f. succedanea, Nyl. 
 
 “ Differt a L. atra eiiropsea saltern spermatiis nonniliil brevioribns (longit. 
 0*007-0’011 millim., crassit. fere O'OOl millim.).” 
 
 On many rocks in the higher parts of the island; more rarely on dead wood and 
 bark of trees. 
 
 Lecanora punicea, Ach. 
 
 On the bark of trees ; common, as it is in Mauritius. 
 
 Pertusaria velata {Turn.) 
 
 On the bark of trees, specially Mathurina 'penduliflora; quite similar to our 
 British plant. 
 
 Pertusaria impallescens, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus albidus,opacus, continuus, tenuis (crassit. circiter 0’2 millim.), sublsevis, 
 passim rimosus vel rimulosus (K—); apothecia incoloria in protuberantiis thallinis 
 depresso-convexulis innata, 1-4 in qua vis tali protuberantia, ostiolis nigris, puncti- 
 formibus, vix prominulis; sporse 8n8e, incolores, solitae generis, longit. 0*070-0*082 
 millim., crassit. 0*032-0*040 millim. lodo gelatina hymenialis intensive caerulescens. 
 
 “ Notis datis satis distincta species, nec ulli cognitse affinis. Spermatia peculiaria, 
 aciculari-fusiformia (vel fusiformia utroque apice longe aciculari-producto), longit. 
 0*007-0*009 millim., crassitie medio vix 0*001 millim.”— Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 On rocks. One of the commonest lichens on the island, giving a white appear¬ 
 ance to the rocks. 
 
 Tribe Lecideei. 
 
 Lecidea achroopholis, Njl. 
 
 “ Thallus albidus vel pallescenti-albidus, squamulosus, squamulis (latit. circiter 
 1-2 millim.) adnatis, planis, contiguis vel subdispersis, ambitu sublobatulis vel 
 interdum subcrenatis, subtus nigris; apothecia nigra, planiuscula, marginata (latit. 
 0*7-l’5 millim.), intus obscura; sporse 8n8e, incolores, oblongse, simplices (vel 
 obsolete vel spurie l-septatse), longit. 0*009-0*014 millim., crassit. 0*0035-0*0045 
 millim.; paraphyses mediocres apice subpurpurascenti-fusco ; epithecium et hypothe- 
 cium subpurpurascenti-infuscata (vel hoc parte supera rufescente). lodo gelatina 
 hymenialis ceerulescens, dein subfulvescens. 
 
 “ Species insignis in stirpe Lecklece decipientis, ut videtur. Thallus firmus K non 
 reagens. Thalamium totum dilute subpurpurascens et K simul cum epitbecio et 
 perithecio et hypothecio inferiore purpurascens. Spermogonia supra nigella, intus 
 
LIGHENES.—REV. J. M. CROMBIE. 
 
 109 
 
 incoloria ; spermatia tenuiter bacillaria iioiniiliil vel obsolete curvula (quare subreeta 
 apparent, licet vix unquam slut vere recta), longit. 0‘005-0*007 millim., crassit. 
 0*0006 millim.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On rocks, usually of a vesicular cliaracter. 
 
 Lecidea coccocarpioides, Nyl. 
 
 “ Tballus albido-glaucescens, squamaceus, subadnatus, squamis (latit. 2-5 millim.) 
 inciso-lobatis, incisuris clausis (nee liiantibus) et nigricantibus, ambitu subcrcnulato, 
 pagina infera nigra; apothecia nigra, innata, planiuscula, immarginata (latit. 1-2 
 millim.), interdum 2-3 confluentia, intiis obscura ; sporae Snse, ellipsoideae vel 
 oblongae, 1-septatae (septo saltern spurio), longit. 0*006-0*012 millim., crassit. 
 circiter 0*0035 millim.; parapliyses mediocres ; epitbecium caerulescens; hypothe- 
 cium obscure rufescens. lodo gelatina hymenialis bene caerulescens. 
 
 “ Species omnino peculiaris et propriae stirpis. Pacie fere CoccocarpicB molyhdcecB, 
 sed tballus subnitidiusculus, nibil superficie concentrici babet, et ceteroquin est 
 gonidicus.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On rocks. 
 
 Lecidea melopta, Nyl. 
 
 “ Tballus albus, tenuis, areolatus, in bypotballo nigro subpraedominante instratus ; 
 apotbecia nigra, in areolis vulgo demum singulatim innata, plana (latit. 0*5-0*7 
 millim.), immarginata ; sporac 8nae, incolores, ellipsoideae, longit. 0*008-0’010 
 millim., crassit. 0*004 millim. ; parapliyses non distinctae ; epitbecium caerulescens; 
 hypotbecium incolor, lodo gelatina bymenialis bene caerulescens. 
 
 “ Species bene distincta, et fere urceolariiformis, inter species stirpis Lecide(E 
 X^lance. Tballus K fiavens (I demum nounibil subroseo tinctus, baec reactio vero 
 passim obsoleta). Variat tballus crassior (crassit. 0*5 millim.) et pluribus apotbeciis 
 in quavis areola (areolis circumcirca lateribus nigris), apotbeciis impressiusculis.”— 
 Nyl. 'tn l%tt. 
 
 On rocks; common. 
 
 Lecidea disciformis (PV.), Nyl. 
 
 On tbe bark of trees specially Fcetidia mcmritiana, Lam. 
 
 Lecidea triphragmia, Nyl. 
 
 On tbe bark of trees, specially of Ficus. 
 
 Lecidea spuria [Schcer.) 
 
 On decomposed rocks. 
 
 Lecidea immutans, Nyl. 
 
 Tballus ocbraceo-rosellus (verisimiliter autem typice albidus), areolato-diffractus 
 (crassit. circiter 0*2 milbm.), determinatus (K +,flavens); apotbecia nigra, super- 
 ficialia, plana, obtuse marginata (latit. 0*5-0*9 millim.), intus concoloria; sporae 
 8nm, fuscm, elbpsoidece, l-septatae, longit. 0*016-0*023 millim., crassit. 0*008-0*010 
 millim., leviter superficie granuloso-inaequales; parapbyses gracilescentes (non 
 
110 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 bene discretse); epithecium et hypothecium luteo-fuscescentia (ant hoc magis in- 
 fuscatum). lodo gelatina hymenialis intensive caernlescens. 
 
 “ Species bene distincta in stirpe Lecidece spurice. Thallns I-. Spermatia breviter 
 bacillaria, longit. 0*004 millim., crassit. 0*0006 millim.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 On the rocks with the foregoing. 
 
 Lecidea continens, Nyl. 
 
 Thallns lactens vel snblntescenti-albidns, sat tennis, continnns, snperficie areo- 
 lato-rimnlosns (K fiavens, mednlla I caernleo-obscnrata) ; apothecia nigra, plana 
 marginata (latit. 0*5-0*6 millim.), margine fnscescente, intns obscnra; sporse Snse, 
 fnscse, ellipsoidese, l-sej)tat8e, longit. 0*011-0*014 millim., crassit. 0*006-0*007 
 millim.; paraphyses fere mediocres; epithecinm et hypothecinm fnscescentia. 
 lodo gelatina hymenialis intensive csernlescens. 
 
 Ad Lecideam spuriam qnodammodo accedens et reactionibns conveniens, at 
 thallns alins. Variat perithecinm fnsco-pallescens. Spermogonia non visa.” 
 
 Not nncommon on rocks. 
 
 Lecidea configurans, Nyl. 
 
 “Thallns Intescenti-glanco-albidns, Isevis (crassit. 0*5 millim. vel tennior), snb- 
 rimnlosns, determinatns; apothecia fnsco-nigra vel fnsca, innata, plana (latit. 
 0*3-0*5 millim.), immarginata, circnmscissa, intns albido-incoloria, demnm 2-6 
 snbmoniliformi-conflnentia (tnm qnasi lomentaceo-linearia et varie fiexnosa) ; sporse 
 Snse, incolores, oblongse, simplices, longit. 0*011-0*014 millim., crassit. 0*004-0*005 
 millim.; paraphyses graciles; epithecinm snblntescens ant dilnte glanco-fnscescens; 
 hypothecinm incolor. lodo gelatina hymenialis caernlescens, dein violascens. 
 
 “ E stirpe Lecidece Icevigatce species, simplex, facie fere LecidecE phceopis. Thallns 
 K flavens.”— Nyl. in litt. 
 
 Ereqnent on rocks with the foregoing. 
 
 Tribe Graphidei. 
 
 Opegrapha difficilior, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallns macnla albescente indeterminata vel obsoleta indicatns ; apothecia 
 nigra linearia (longit. 1-2 millim. vel breviora, crassit. fere 0*25 millim.), snbsim- 
 plicia, recta ant snbfiexnosa, snperficialia; epithecinm rimiforme demnm arete 
 angnstatnm; sporse Snm, fnsiformes (vetnstate obsenratae), 5-7-septatae, longit. 
 0*027-0*033 millim., crassit. 0*004-0*006 millim., hypothecinm nigricans. lodo 
 gelatina hymenialis vinose rnbens. 
 
 “ Sat affinis OpegraplicB impedeoidi, sed thallo, apotheciis et sporis differens. 
 Apothecia saepins conferta. Spermatia tennia, rectinscnla, longit. 0*004-0*005 millim., 
 crassit. 0*0005 millim. Comparanda, qnoad faciem, enm O. diJJiciU, Dnf. (qnae 
 non est nisi O. cinerea, Chev.! lignicola), spermatiis aliis mox divergens.”— Nyl. 
 in litt. 
 
 On decorticated stnmps of trees; not common. 
 
LICHENES.—REV. J. M. CROMBIE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Arthonia phylloica, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus macula alba indicatus; apotliecia nigra tenuia erumpentia linearia 
 (longit. 1 millim. vel nonniliil longiora aut breviora, latit. paruni 1 millim. exce- 
 dentia), simpliciuscula aut ramuluni unum alterumve emittentia, variantia subas- 
 troidea ; sporse Snse, incolores, oblongae, S-septatae, minutse, longit. circiter 0*011 
 millim., crassit. 0*003-0*004 millim.; epithecium subcserulescens. lodo gelatina 
 hymenialis vinose rubens (prsecedente cserulescentia).”— Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 Common on decayed leaves of Tandanus. 
 
 Arthonia dendritella, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus macula albo-cinerascente subdeterminata indicatus ; apotliecia nigri- 
 cantia, tenuia, innata (latit. 0*1 millim. vel tenuiora), subdendritico-divisa aut sim- 
 pliciora, sat conferta; sporse G-Snge, incolores, oviformi-oblongse, 3-septat8e, longit. 
 0*010-0*014 millim., crassit. 0*004-0*005 millim.; epithecium cserulescenti-nigres- 
 cens; hypothecium incolor. lodo gelatina hymenialis subincolor et thecse vinose 
 violascentes. 
 
 “ Species e stnpe Arthronice palmicolcB, prsecipue facie nebuloso-petricola et reac- 
 tione iodo effecta distincta.”— Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 On decayed leaves of 'Pandanus. Erequent. 
 
 Grapliis scalpturata, Ach. 
 
 On bark of trees. 
 
 Graphis assimilis, Nyl. Prodr. Gall. p. 150 {N. Gran. p. 74). 
 
 On the bark of trees. 
 
 Graphis analoga, Nyl. 
 
 On the bark of trees, associated with other lichens. 
 
 Glyphis cicatricosa, var. favulosa [Ach.) Nyl. N. Gran. p. 108.- 
 
 On bark of trees, not uncommon. 
 
 Glyphis tricosnla, Nyl. 
 
 Thallus albus vel albidus, opacus, tenuissimus, tenuiter nigricanti-limitatus ; 
 apotliecia nigra, subcsesio-pruiiiosa, dendroideo-divisa, sparsa. pariim ramosa 
 (divisionibus latit. 0*2 millim. vel teniiioribus); sporge Snge, oblongoe, 4-loculares, 
 longit. 0*011-0*012 millim., crassit. 0*005-0*006 millim. (demum infuscatae); hypo¬ 
 thecium fusciim. 
 
 “ Est Glyphis facie Medusulce tricosce simplicioris, notis allatis satis tute distin- 
 guenda.”— Njl. in lilt. 
 
 On stems of Pandanus. 
 
 Tribe Pyrenocarpei. 
 
 Verrucaria 5-septatula, Nyl. 
 
 “ Thallus macula albida indistincta vel nigricanti-liniitata indicatus ; apotliecia 
 pyrenio integre nigro, supra denudata convexula (latit. 0*2-0*5 millim.); sporae 8nae, 
 
112 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 incolores, fusiformes S-septatse, parvcC, longit. 0’013-0'018 millim., crassit. 
 0‘001-0'005 millim.; parapliyses sat graciles, non confertse. lodo gelatina liyme- 
 nialis non tincta. 
 
 “ Species videtur e stirpe Vemicarice cliloroticce, sed parapliyses minus con- 
 fertrn, quamobrem sit potiiis stirpis Verrucari<B ^-septatce, Nyl. Pyrenoc. p. 58.” 
 
 On ^andanus stems, not uncommon. 
 
 Verrucaria chlorotica, Acli. 
 
 On rocks; probably not uncommon, and quite similar to tlie European plant. 
 Sjiores 0'018 millim. long, 0*0045 millim. tliick. 
 
 On rocks; common. 
 
 Verrucaria denudata, Nyl. Fyrenoc. p. 49. 
 
 On the bark of trees. 
 
 Trypethelium cruentum, lint. 
 
 On tbe bark of trees. Spores 0*026-0*036 millim. long., 0*012-0*015 millim. 
 thick. 
 
 Trypethelium cruentulum, Nyl. 
 
 “ Eorsan subspecies Tryj^ethelii cruenti, Mnt., Nyl. Pyrenoc. p. 73, a quo differt 
 proecipue sporis minoribus (longit. 0*018-0*025 millim., crassit, 0*008-0*011 millim.” 
 -Nyl. in lilt. 
 
 On the rough bark of trees; notably on Foetidia maurltiana. 
 
 Pyrenastrum americanum, Fpr. 
 
 On the bark of trees ; frequent on Fandamis. 
 
 FUNGI. 
 
 By the Eev. M. J. Berkeley, M.A., E.L.S. 
 
 Agaricus (Pleurotus) Balfouri, Berk, 
 
 Imbricatus, concliiformis ; pileo primitus subtiliter pulvcrulento pallide umbrino, 
 demum glabrescente rugiiloso spadiceo, margine involuto, lamellis in basin incrassa- 
 tam decurrentibus, primum venosis obtusis, antice reticulatis, demum latis acie 
 crenulatis dentatisve concoloribus. 
 
 Pile! 1^ inch wide when fully developed, but often much less, especially when 
 densely imbricated ; occasionally the pileus is merely excentric, the gills running 
 down to a distinct attenuated stem, with the gills reticulated above; in highly 
 developed specimens they are two lines broad. 
 
 Is not at all common. Endemic. 
 
FUNGI.—REV. M. J. BERKELEY. 
 
 113 
 
 Schizophyllum commune, Fr. Ep. p. 403. 
 
 On decayed branches of Leuccena glaiica in one or two localities. 
 
 Hirneola polytricha, 3Io7it. Bel. Voy. p. 154, sub Exidia. 
 
 Kare ; only in the Cascade Valley. 
 
 Hirneola Auricula Judae, Fr. JSym. Eiir. p. 695, var. Isevior, Berk. Randh. tab. 18, 
 ho* 7 
 
 Along with the foregoing. 
 
 Polyporus (Pleuropus) aspidopus. Berk. 
 
 Pileo dimidiato infundi buliformi e l)asi orbiculari oriundo, cito glabrescente 
 rugosiusculo umlnano, stipite brevissimo vel omnino obsoleto cum basi confuso 
 hymenio concolore, margine sterili; poris rotundis minimis, acie obtusis. 
 
 About 1 inch in diameter, generally dimidiate, or, from confluence of the margins 
 behind, infundibuliform, in all cases arising from a distinct orbicular more or less 
 hispid base ; pores perfectly round, inch in diameter, with an obtuse margin ; 
 occasionally, especially below, the dessepiments are elongated into hydniform 
 aculei, and the disc has raised processes on its surface. 
 
 On many trees; very common on Bcmdanus. Endemic. 
 
 Polyporus (Placodermei) microphlebius. Berk. 
 
 Ochroleucus ; pileo dimidiato postice decurrente laccato zonato, zonis hie illic 
 elevatis vel elongatis, scabroso-venulosis ; hymenio concavo ; poris minutissimis acie 
 hispidulis. 
 
 Pileus 2 inches wide, nearly 1 inch long, reniform; the zones sometimes slightly 
 elevated, sometimes projecting, their surface very minutely venulose as if there had 
 been a contraction of the laccate substance when first developed. Pores inch in 
 diameter. In external appparance the species, of which there is a single specimen 
 only, has some resemblance to one of the forms of Folyporus zonalis, B. 
 
 Not common. Endemic. 
 
 Trametes occidentalis, Fr. Ep. 491; Klotzcli Lmn. viii. p. 486 sub Bolyporo. 
 
 Not common. 
 
 Bovista lilacina, B. ^ 31. in Rook. Bond. Joimi. iv p. 64. 
 
 A single specimen only, in very bad condition. Tiie spores are smooth as 
 deseribed in the place quoted above, but it is possible that they may become hispid 
 as stated by Montague, Sylloge, p. 287. 
 
 On the plains towards the south-west of the island. 
 
 21. 
 
 r 
 
114 
 
 v BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 ALGiE. 
 
 By George Dickie, M.D., F.L.S. 
 
 FUCACE^. 
 
 Sargassum vulgare, A(/. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—West Indies; Senegambia ; Spain and Portugal; Australia. 
 Sargassum ilicifolium, Turner. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Cape Comorin ; Philippines ; Borneo; Sumatra. 
 
 Turbinaria ornata, Turner. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Ceylon; Philippines; Tahiti; New Zealand. 
 
 SPOROCHNACE.®. 
 
 Chroospora implexa, Hering. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Bed Sea; Ceylon, &c. 
 
 DICTYOTACE®. 
 
 Dictyota dichotoma, Huds. A narrow form. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—North and South temperate Oceans, less general in warmer seas, 
 Padina Pavonia, L. 
 
 Geog. Dist_Pound in most of the warmer seas. South coast of Britain ; West, 
 
 South, and East coasts of Australia. 
 
 Zonaria nigrescens. Sender. 
 
 A few small examples about an inch in length. Prof. J. Agardh considers it as 
 scarcely distinct from Z. variegata. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Coasts of Australia. 
 
 Asperococcus sinuosus, Roth. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—King George’s Sound; Tasmania ; Mediterranean and Adriatic ; 
 Gulf of Mexico; Indian Ocean ; Japan ; Cape of Good Hope; New Zealand ; Falk¬ 
 land Islands. 
 
 Hydroclathrus cancellatus, Borg. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Tropical and subtropical seas. 
 
 CHORDARIACE®. 
 
 Mesogloia virescens, Carm. ?, var. gracilis ?. 
 
 Imperfect, and therefore doubtful. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—N. Europe; Australia ; Tasmania ; Friendly Islands ; Bed Sea ; 
 Japan ; Loo-Choo. 
 
ALG^.—GEORGE DICKIE. 
 
 115 
 
 ECTOCARPACE.®. 
 
 Sphacelaria rigida, B.ering. 
 
 Upon Digenea. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Red Sea. 
 
 RHODOMELACE®. 
 
 Digenea simplex, Wulf. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—West Indies; East Coast of North America; Mediterranean and 
 Adriatic; Red Sea ; Ceylon ; Japan. 
 
 LAURENCIACE®. 
 
 Laurencia papillosa, Fork. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Warmer parts of Atlantic; on African shores ; Gulf of Mexico ; 
 Mediterranean; Adriatic; Red Sea; Mauritius; Sandwich Islands; New Zealand. 
 
 Laurencia obtusa, Sudson. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Temperate shores of Atlantic; Mediterranean; Adriatic ; Ceylon ; 
 Mauritius ; Philippines ; Tahiti, &c. 
 
 Laurencia flagelhfera, J. Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Shores of Hindostan. 
 
 CORALLINACE®. 
 
 Amphiroa fragilissima, L. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Mediterranean ; shores of Hindostan. 
 
 Lithothamnion mamillare, Harv. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Shores of Brazil; Cape Verde ; Algoa Bay. 
 
 SPH®R0C0CC0IDE®. 
 
 Gracilaria corticata, J. Ag., var. linearis. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Shores of Hindostan ; Ceylon; Mauritius. 
 
 GELIDIACE®. 
 
 Hypnea hamulosa, Turner. 
 
 Geog. Dist_Red Sea ; Cape of Good Hope. 
 
 Hypnea Valentiae, Wulf. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Red Sea; shores of Hindostan ; Philippines. 
 
 Gelidium rigidium, VahU 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Mauritius; Ceylon; Philippines; Tahiti; Gulf of Mexico, 
 
 HELMINTHOCLADIE®. 
 
 Li agora viscida, Fork. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Mediterranean; warmer parts of Atlantic; Pted Sea; Indian 
 Ocean; Australia. 
 
 21. 
 
 Q 
 
116 
 
 BOTANY OF RODEIGUEZ. 
 
 CRYPTONEMIACE^. 
 
 Chylocladia vig'ens, Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—West Indies; Marian Islands ; Japan; Philippines. 
 
 SIPHONACE^. 
 
 Caulerpa ericifolia, Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—West Indies ; Caroline Islands (Polynesia). 
 
 Caulerpa Boryana, J. Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Warmer parts of Pacific. 
 
 Caulerpa plumaris, Valil. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Ceylon ; Ped Sea ; Philippines ; Australia. 
 
 Caulerpa mamillosa, Mont. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Indian Ocean ; Gamhier Islands. 
 
 Halimeda Opuntia, Lamx. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Warmer parts of Atlantic ; Mediterranean ; Ped Sea; Philippines, 
 &c. 
 
 Halimeda Tuna, Lamx. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Mediterranean; Philippines, &c. 
 
 Codium tomentosum, Stackh. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Tropical and temperate oceans of both hemispheres. 
 
 Codium adhserens, Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Coasts of Europe; Ceylon ; Cape of Good Hope; Eriendly Islands ; 
 Loo Choo. 
 
 VALONIACE^. 
 
 Valonia .ffigagrophila, Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Adriatic ; Pawak Island. 
 
 Microdictyon Agardhianum, Dne. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Mediterranean ; Ped Sea ; Australia; Sandwich Islands. 
 Dictyospheeria favulosa, Due. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Ped Sea ; Indian Ocean ; Sandwich Islands. 
 
 ULVACEiE. 
 
 Ulva latissima, L. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—General in both hemispheres. 
 
 Enteromorpha intestinalis, Link. 
 
 GeG<>. Dist.—AVidely distributed in both hemispheres. 
 
 Enteromorpha compressa, Grev. ? 
 
 The spi'cimens rather imperfect, and therefore doubtful. 
 
 Geoir. Dist.—Like the former, extensive in its range. 
 
ALGiE.—GEORGE DICKIE. 
 
 117 
 
 Enteromorpha ramulosa, E. B. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—European shores ; coast of Amboina. 
 
 BATEACHOSPERME^. 
 
 Batrachospermum moniliforme, Ag.^ var. equinoctiale, Borg. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Its various forms have an extensive range in the fresh waters of 
 Europe, America, and Africa. 
 
 Thorea violacea, Borg. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Mauritius. 
 
 CONFEEVACE.®. 
 
 Conferva moluccana, Ag. ? 
 
 The few examples are referred with some doubt to this species. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Island of Pisang, one of the Moluccas. 
 
 Conferva bombycina, Ag., var. inequalis, Ktz. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Various parts of Europe. 
 
 Conferva Ansoni, Ag. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—“ In fonte Ansonii insulae Tinian ” (Gaudichaud). 
 
 Cladophora Eoettleri, Ktz. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Tranqueliar. 
 
 Cladophora pannosa, Bickle. 
 
 The specimens seem identical with the plant from Mauritius, which in a notice 
 of the Algae of that island was considered a new species. 
 
 Cliantransia caernlescens, Mont. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Cayenne. 
 
 (Edogonium fonticola, A. Braun. ? 
 
 Agrees with the species in the oogonia and proportions of the individual joints, 
 but the characters of the basal and terminal cells could not be seen. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Various parts of Europe, and found also in the island of Madeira. 
 
 ZYGNEMACE®. 
 
 Ehynconema angiilare, Hass. 
 
 The few specimens observed agree in general characters with this species. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—In various parts of Europe. 
 
 Staurospermum capucinum, Borg. ? 
 
 The speeimens agree in the proportions of the individual cells as to length and 
 1)readth; the latter = *00055, but in the absence of zygospores the plant is 
 doubtful. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Various parts of Europe. 
 
118 
 
 BOTANY OF RODRIGUEZ. 
 
 OSCILLARIACEiE. 
 
 Lyngbya majuscula, Dillio. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—European shores. 
 
 Leptothrix lutea, Ktz. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—“ In therinis Enganearum” (Meneghini). 
 
 NOSTOCHINE.®. 
 
 Nostoc commune, Vaucli. 
 
 Geog. Dist.—Europe; America; Java. 
 
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