which is now found commonly around the island and on the interior. The spread of this spiny-fruited herb probably was greatly facilitated by the building of reads and other installations at the time of the bomb testing. No pure stands of Boerhavia were observed scattered plants in beach sand excepted. No areas were observed where Boerhavia was crowding and killing other species. The vegetation of Cooks Island remains the same except for the absence of Hedytotis (the Kadua of Christophersen's paper). Christophersen mentions Pisonia on the north side but there are no extant collections from this locale. All later collections are from Motu Tabu or the planted tree near the wells. At the present large portions of the land area of Christmas Island is covered with a Cocos forest planted by man. Large areas of the natural vegetation are being removed for the enlargement of these plantations. Due to the nature of the soil and water availability much of the land area will not support Cocos at present. The continued use of the island by man promises to significantly alter the natural ecosystems. Among the introduced plants of the village the Erythrina trees mentioned by Rougier (1914) are still alive. Common around the village are Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and H. schizopetalus, Lycopersicon esculentum and Carica papaya although these latter do not seem to thrive. Mr. Cook showed me a small pit along the north road which was fenced with metal roofing and about 1 m. deep. In tin containers the native Gilbertese were growing Crytosperma chamissioniana. The plants were not vigorous and many were lost to the ravages of the land crabs which are numerous. The taro is grown for the Gilbertese women who prefer this diet during pregnancy. Growing nearby was a small shrub of Ficus tinctoria about 2 m. high which was cultivated for its fruits. Later it was also seen growing near some houses in the village.