This is one of the most common forest trees of these islands, rising to the height of 50 to 100 feet, with a trunk as much as 5 feet in diameter, affording excellent timber for cabinet work. The leaves are only pinnate in the young plant; in the adults the footstalks become dilated into what is termed Phyllodia, and in this respect resembles many New Holland species. And just let me here remark in passing, that to my mind, there exists a strong affinity between certain plants of these islands with those of Southern Australia; as witness the above entire-leaved Acacia, the Exocarpus, Edwardsia, Metroscideros and Cyathodes. Nor is this similitude less evident in the Fern tribe, for we have here the arborescent Cibotiums, representing Dicksonias of a similar habit and structure; while the Pelargoniums of Southern Africa have their counterpart in the shrubby Geraniums of these islands.

It is something remarkable, that no epiphytic orchids have been found on the islands; and of terrestrial kinds only three very obscure sorts were observed; one having the habit of a Liparis, another, that of Malaxis.

The only food-producing plant, truly indigenous to these islands is, the Tacca pinnatifida, found in great abundance. From the tubers is manufactured a kind of flour, said to equal the West Indian Arrow-root, most of which is exported. The staple food of the natives, consisting principally of Taro (Caladium esculentum), sweet potatoes and bananas. Bread fruit did not appear to be relished by them, as it is by natives of other groups of islands in the South seas. . Govanstown, Md.