i8 An Enumeration of Niihau Plants. 



have in places dammed up the surface drainage. On the same coast, 

 north of Poleho, the sand has blown inland for about half a mile. 



The plateau is also of volcanic material. The highest points 

 are on the northern and northeastern boundaries, where the vertical 

 cliffs reach 1304 feet at Paniau. From here the ground slopes down- 

 ward to the south and west on a somewhat even grade, interrupted 

 by several deep gorges, and by the high and prominent cone of 

 Kaeo. The cliffs on the south are about 20 feet high. Kaali, the 

 north cliff of the plateau, is rather moist, and there is a small spring 

 at about the 800 foot elevation which is utilized as a water supply 

 for the lowlands. It was here that Mr. Stokes collected most of his 

 plants. The cliffs on the east were very dry and barren, there being 

 a sparse growth of shrubbery on the talus slope, however. 



Between the west coast and the plateau there is a low cliff of 

 lime sandstone. The plain south of the plateau is composed of 

 coral sand and sandstone, with an undulating volcanic belt near 

 and parallel to the west coast. It has a low elevation and is fre- 

 quently under water. Sand dunes and coral sandstone follow 

 around the east and west coasts of this part. The southern point 

 of the island consists of an eroded volcanic cone, reaching a height 

 of 600 feet, which viewed from the southern end of the plateau 

 over the low plain has the appearance of another island. 



There are periods of very little rainfall, and the conditions 

 affecting the flora are somewhat analogous to those of Kahoolawe 

 described in another paper. Most of the available land is now 

 used as pasturage for sheep and horses, as it has been for a great 

 many years. The island was formerly overrun with goats, but 

 these have been completely exterminated within recent years. 

 Mr. Stokes reported that most of the island, especially on the top, 

 was covered with Manienie {Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Near the 

 southern end there are swamp-like areas where various species of 

 cyperus occur, including C. lacvigatus, from which the old natives 

 made their famous mats. Most of Mr. Stokes' specimens were 

 collected at Kaali on the western cliffs of the tableland, a few on the 

 valley sides, and an interesting Euphorbia of the Multiformis group 

 near the beach. This latter plant differs so strikingly from other 

 members of the group that I have proposed it as a new species. 



The flora of Niihau, like that of all the islands, has under- 

 gone great changes since the first botanist visited the group, 



[100] 



