not highly esteemed, and that their cultivation in the first place was owing to a restricted choice. Tahiti Apple (Spondias dulcis).—This tree has been carried by Europeans into various parts of the tropical world but in ancient times it seems to have been confined to the islands, eastward of New Guinea, where its fruit was largely used as food. Another species belonging to the same order, the mango (Manifera indica), a native of the Asiatic mainland, found its way into the western Malay Islands at a remote period, but had not extended its range to Polynesia in Forster's* “Origin of Cultivated Plants.” A. De Candolle. time, and only reached the Philippine Group after those islands had been visited by the Portuguese. This confirms what we have already gathered from other sources—that the communication between the various sections of the great island belt was slow or irregular. Shaddock (Citrus decumana).—The islands eastward of New Guinea, being the only region in which this species has been discovered positively wild, must be regarded as its original habitat, whence it spread westward. It had found its way into China before it became known to Europeans, but its now wide extension is due to the latter people. The sweet orange (Citrus aurantium sinense), undoubtedly of Chinese origin, existed in the Polynesian islands, but was not generally diffused in Forster's time. Moresby found it in New Guinea amongst people who, until he came in contact with them, had never seen Europeans.† “Discoveries in New Guinea and Polynesia.” Captain J. Moresby. From this we may conclude that the species was being disseminated throughout the island belt by the agency of the natives before Europeans had much intercourse with the region. Evidently the orange cannot be included amongst the ancient cultivated plants of Polynesia, described in the last chapter, for, had it been introduced along with them, it must have been as generally distributed as they were. As far as we can perceive, its dissemination depended on accident, while, as already shown, they were designedly conveyed from place to place. Ti-Tree (Dracæna terminalis).— Throughout the Polynesian islands this species was generally cultivated for its roots and leaves; the roots being used as food, and the leaves for the manufacture of clothing. Ti is the Maori name of the Cordyline austrails, which is allied to, and resembles, the Dracæna terminalis. From the leaves of the Cordyline slippers and ropes were made by the Maoris, the roots being also used as food. We have a good example here of the manner in which names are introduced and applied by the natives.