2 VAUGHAN MacCAUGHEY 



export to California. The factors that have given this species 

 commercial supremacy are numerous. Owing to its dwarf size and 

 deep rootage, it does not suffer from wind and storm as do the 

 tall-growing kinds. It stands close planting, and thus gives a 

 much larger yield per acre than do the varieties which require 

 more room. It bears sooner than do many of the native bana- 

 nas. The bunches are large and well-filled; the fruit, although 

 excelled by many of the other varieties, is of good flavor and 

 texture. It is likely to steadily gain in importance. 



A second introduced species, of totally different character, is 

 the Musa fehi of Tahiti. This banana is common in the forests 

 of Tahiti, and was probably brought to Hawaii from Bora Bora, 

 an island of the Tahitian group. There it is called Ffe'i. The 

 Hawaiian name, Pola-pola, is corrupted from Bora Bora, and 

 has in turn been corrupted in EngUsh to Bolo-bolo. Thfe ba- 

 nana does not come from Bolo-bolo. The natives also call it 

 He'e. The pecuharity of this species is that the stem of the 

 bunch stands erect, holding the bunch straight up, instead of 

 hanging pendant, as do most bananas. The fruit is oblong, 

 nearly straight, and of fair quality when cooked. The plant is a 

 tall, vigorous grower; the base of the stem is black, the upper 

 part green. The petiole is short and stout as compared with 

 the length of the blade; the latter is dark-striped. This variety 

 occasionally grows uncultivated in spots in the Hawaiian forests 

 where it has been planted, and in such places is easily mistaken 

 for a native variety. It is reported as occasionally producing 

 seeds in these islands; in Tahiti it often produces seeds at eleva- 

 tions above 3000 feet. 



Another exotic variety, that was introduced from Tahiti about 

 1855, is the so-called ''Brazilian" banana, known to the natives 

 as Nuho-lani. This is the "Dessert Banana" of Java, and is a 

 choice and highly esteemed variety wherever it occurs. The 

 plant is a vigorous grower, 25 to 35 feet high, firmly rooted, and 

 withstanding winds. It suckers freely, and is often used as a 

 windbreak for more delicate varieties. The apex or floral end 

 of the fruit is prolonged into a distinct beak or rostrum. The 

 skin of the fruit is smooth and delicate, clear bright yellow, and 



