The Confessions of a Beachcomber | Page 9

and moist earth, these are the essential elements for the manufacture of
ethereal and soul-soothing odours suggestive of tangible flavours.
I know of but one particular plant that is absolutely repellent. Its large
flowers are of vivid gold, pure and refined; the unmixed odour is
obscene. A creeper of the jungle bears small yellow flowers (slightly
resembling those of the mango, save that they are produced in frail
loose cymes instead of on vigorous panicles), the excessive sweetness
of which approaches nauseousness. But its essence mingles with the
rest, and the compound is singularly rich and acceptable.
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 blue quandong (ELAEOCARPUS
GRANDIS), misleading and insipid; the Herbert River cherry
(ANTIDESMA DALLACHYANUM), agreeable certainly, but not high
class; the finger cherry "Pool-boo-nong" of the blacks
(RHODOMYRTUS MACROCARPA), possesses the flavour of the
cherry guava, but has a most evil reputation. Some assert that this fruit

is subject to a certain disease (a kind of vegetable smallpox), and that if
eaten when so affected is liable to induce paralysis of the optic nerves
and cause blindness and even death. Blacks, however, partake of the
fruit unrestrictedly and declare it good, on the authority of tradition as
well as by present appreciation. They do not pay the slightest respect to
the injurious repute current among some white folks. Perhaps some
trick of constitution or some singularity of the nervous system renders
them immune to the poison, as the orange pigment said to reside in
their epidermis protects them from the actinic rays of the sun. Does not
Darwin assert that while white sheep and pigs are upset by certain
plants dark-coloured individuals escape. At any rate blacks are not
affected by the fruit, though large consumers of it, and many whites
also eat of it raw and preserved, without fear and without untoward
effects. Some of the Eugenias produce passable fruits, and one of the
palms (CARYOTA) bears huge bunches of yellow dates, the
attractiveness of which lies solely in appearance.
Quite a