Boerhavia is a common component of the flora of Christmas island from the sand beaches to the upper edges of the lagoon. It is found in every association except the extremely saline ones. Optimal growth is found on sandy soils in open areas. Boerhavia seems to colonize cleared land which is planted to Cocos and remains though less con- spicuous after the groves mature. The Pisonia tree on Motu Tabu bore sticky fruits. However, only one other Pisonia tree was found on the island near the wells on the NW side. According to Mr. Cook this tree had been planted near the well house. A survey for Pisonia in those Cocos groves planted along the well watered slopes of the groves on the north side revealed no young trees. It may be supposed that the irregular rainfall of the island contributes to the failure of the spread of this forest tree. Large Pisonia trees are found on Palmyra and Washington Islands to the north and a few, on Malden to the south within the Line Group. A number of introduced herbs and grasses are common around London and the roads which stretch north and east. Cenchrus echinatus, Eleusine indica, Eragrostis tenella and Digitaria pacifica are common in such disturbed areas. Other atoll weeds such as Euphorbia hirta, and Vernonia cinerea are common. The lack of abundantly sprouting coconuts in established groves attests to the irregular rainfall of the region. The amount of rainfall appears to be enough to support Cocos plantations under cultivation but extensions of the present Cocos plantations currently underway may tend to exhaust the lense of fresh water especially during the frequent dry periods. The present extensions of the plantations on Christmas Island are being carried forward with a view to expanding the plantations in order to relieve the population pressures on the Gilbert Islands by trans- feral of colonists to Christmas Island. Previous attempts to colonize Hull, Sydney and Gardner Islands to the west (1937-1963) resulted in failure. Any such attempts to increase the population of Christmas Island must be made after a thorough ecological study of the island has been made. In line with this Mr. Richard N. Jenkins, Land Resources Division, Directorate of Overseas Surveys, has been sent during 1965 to do extensive surveys of Christmas Island.