On sandy stretches and along the deltas of the creeks are fragrant, gigantic “spider lilies” (CRINIUM).  I do not pretend to catalogue botanically all the plants that contribute to the specific odour of the island.  I cannot address them individually in scientific phraseology, though with all I am on terms of easy familiarity, the outcome of seasoned admiration.  They please by the form and colour of their blossoms, and ring ever-recurring and timeful changes, so that month by month we enjoy the progress of the perfumes, the blending of some, the individual excellence of others.  In endeavouring to convey to the unelect an impression of their variety and acceptableness, am I not but discharging a debt of gratitude?

As far as I am aware, but four or five epiphytal orchids add to the scents of the island; and as they have not Christian names, their pagan titles must suffice—­CYMBIDIUM suave, ERIA FITZALANI, BULBOPHYLLUM BAILEYI, DENDROBIUM TERETIFOLIUM and D. UNDULATUM.  The latter is not commonly credited with perfume; but when it grows in great unmolested masses its contribution is pleasant, if not very decided.  The pretty terrestrial orchid (CYRTOSTYLIS RENIFORMIS) is delicately fragrant, but the great showy PHAIUS GRANDIFOLIUS (the tropical foxglove) and the meek GEODORUM PICTUM (Queensland’s lily of the valley) are denied the gift.

The forest, the jungle, the grassy spots, the hot rocks (with hoya and orchids), and even the sands, with the native sweet-pea, are fragrant.  A lowly creeping plant (VITEX TRIFOLIA), with small spikes of lavender-coloured flowers, and grey-green silvery leaves, mingles with the coarse grasses of the sandy flats, and usurping broad areas forms an aromatic carpet from which every footstep expresses a homely pungency as of marjoram and sage.  The odour of the island may be specific, and therefore to be prized, yet it gladdens also because it awakens happy and all too fleeting reminiscences.  English fields and hedges cannot be forgotten when one of our trees diffuses the scent of meadow-sweet, and one of the orchids that of hawthorn.  “Scent and silence” is the phrase which expresses the individuality of our island, and better “scented silence” than all the noisy odours of the town.

However showy the flora of the island, the existence of kindly fruits must be deplored.  Immense quantities, alluring in colour and form, are produced; but not a single variety of real excellence.  The raspberries (two kinds) have but little flavour; the native “Cape gooseberry” (PHYSALIS Mimis), which appears like magic when the jungle is felled and burnt off, is regarded with hostility, though unworthily, even by the blacks; the” wild” grapes are sour and fiery, and among the many figs only two or three are pleasant, and but one good.  “Bedyewrie” (XIMENIA Americana) has a sweetish flavour, with a speedy after-taste of bitter almonds, and generally refreshing and thirst-allaying qualities; the shiny