508 



History of Botanical Exploration in Hawaii 



By Prof. Vaughan MacCaughey, College of Hawaii. 



(Continued.) 



17. The Visit of Macrae. 



An enthusiastic naturalist, who made extensive collections of 

 botanical and other natural history material in the Pacific region, 

 was James Macrae. During the years 1824 to 1826 he botanized 

 in various parts of South America and in the Islands of the Paci- 

 fic, including Hawaii. His collections have been widely distribut- 

 ed by exchange, and now appear in private and institutional her- 

 baria in many parts of the world. A number of Hawaiian plants, 

 and plants in other regions where he collected have been named 

 in his honor. 



18. Visit of Lord Byron in the ''Blonde." 



''Blonde'' Arrived May 4, 1825. 

 Botany and Natural History. 



In 1823 Liholiho and the Queen, with several others? voyaged 

 to England, where both the King and his wife succumbed to the 

 measles. The frigate ''Blonde/' commanded by Lord George An- 

 son Byron, cousin of the famous poet, was commissioned to con- 

 vey the bodies, and the remainder of the party, back to their 

 native land. The "Blonde" 3.vrwtd off Lahaina, May 4, 1825. 

 Proceeding to Honolulu, impressive ceremonies were performed. 

 Under May 9, the narrative states: "This day our botanist and 

 naturalist have begun their researches." In the preface is stated, 

 "For the few notices concerning natural history which the w^ork 

 contains, it is chiefly indebted to the zealous attention of Mr. A. 

 Bloxam, brother to the Chaplain of the Blonde. ... It is to be 

 regretted that the practiced collector of botanical specimens who 

 went in the Blonde to the Sandwich Islands should not have 

 furnished any account of the plants, useful or curious, which he 

 collected for the Horticultural Society .... it is acknowledged by 

 all the foreign navigators, that the collection made during the 

 Blonde's voyage is one of the most curious in Europe." 



Hilo and Kilaiiea. June 7- July 7. 



On June 7th Byron sailed for Hilo, where he stayed for one 

 month. An accurate survey was made of the bay ("Byron's 

 Bay") ; the crater of Kilauea was visited and carefully studied; 

 an excursion made to the summit of Mauna Kea ; and other trips 

 along the coast and into the forest. 



