60 



or three, or possibly four, of which one represents perhaps an 

 undescribed species, occur in the wet regions or rain forests. 

 They are more or less easily recognized by the dull olive green 

 foliage which is, however, quite variable in the different species, 

 by the tomato-red drupes, which are oval and about a fourth of 

 an inch long, and by the black bark, which is a very strong and 

 unbreakable bast. Branches of these species cannot readily be 

 broken oft*, but wdien broken the bark will peel off the stem or 

 branch, leaving the white sap-wood exposed. The bark has a 

 disagreeable odor and stains the hand green. 



The Akia, as the natives call these species, was employed by 

 them as a fish poison, similar to Auhuhu or Ilola. Apparent- 

 ly all parts of the plant are poisonous and contain a narcotic. 



AUHUHU or HOLA (Trcphrosia piscatoria). 



The Auhuhu is a small leguminous plant with white flowers 

 and small pods. It grows erect in pasture lands, especially in 

 very dry situations near the sea on old lava flows, as on the 

 west end of Molokai, at Koko and Diamond Head, and in the 

 lower \\'aiaaae Alountains on Oahu and in dry situations on 

 the lee-side of all islands. It is poisonous to stock and was 

 used by the natives to stiipefy fish. It contains a glucoside 

 known as tephrosin C.^^ Hoc, O^o and perhaps also tephrosal 

 Cio Hjy O, which is toxic, especially to fish. 



KIKANIA also POPOLO (Solannm aculcatissimum). 



This Kikania or Pbpolo is not very common but is usually 

 found in the low^er forests and in scrub vegetation of the lowlands 

 of all islands. It is a spiny plant, belonging to the potato family, 

 with whitish flowers and bright scarlet fruit an inch or more in 

 diameter. The fruit is poisonous, not to the touch, but if 

 eaten. 



KIKANIA (Solannm sodomeum) or Apple of Sodom. 



This species is very similar to the foregoing one but occurs 

 in waste places only ; it is a shrub up to four feet in height, of 

 a globose outline; it is very spiny, has purplish pale flowers and 

 bright yellow, apple-like fruits of over an inch in diameter. The 

 fruit is quite poisonous. 



COMMON NIGHTSHADE fSolanu-m nigrum). 



This Popolo, which is more or less common in the lowlands, 

 is usually found as a weed only a foot or so in height. The 

 flowers are small and white and the small berries black and 

 shining. The fruits are sometimes used for pies and preserves. 

 It should, however, be used with caution and should never be 

 used or eaten, if at all, until thoroughly ripe. Cases of poison- 

 ing have been recorded for calves, sheep and swine. 



The plant contains an alkaloid solanin C-.-j H..^ NOj^, which is 



