IXTRODT'CED PLANTS AND AXDIALS. 239 



like branchlets would seem to ciititli' it tn claim relationship with the cedar, 

 cypress or pine. Though the tree is widely distributed it was not known to the 

 native Hawaiians before its intrixluctidn by the whites. The tree has its i^reatest 

 use as wind-breaks. However, it has been extensively planted about the eity 

 and reminds the visitors fivnn iKU-theni climes of the winter season as the wind 

 whistles and soughs throuiih its branches. 



Tiiio l\i-Kri. 



Look where one will in the city he will tind but little that really belongs to 

 the native flora. The few species to be seen that pass as native trees are for the 

 most part those brought here from l\)lynesia by the natives themselves. How- 

 ever, there are a few of these that are of common occurrence and especially strik- 

 ing in appearance. The kukui or candle-nut tree-- is always identified by its 

 conspicuous pale yellow-green, almost silvery foliage. It is cme of the most 

 beautiful and abundant trees of the group fnmi sea level np tt> two tlmusand 

 feet. In sheltered nooks and shady ravines the silvery-green foliage can be made 

 out from far out at sea. and is u.sually piMndly pointed out to the stranger from 

 the deck of the steamer as (inc (if the most beautiful and pieturesciue trees of 

 Ilawaii-nei. It is a luxuriant shade tree and is well worthy of a larger place 

 in the pai-ks. pi-ivate limnnds and streets of the city th;ui it now (icciipies. 



Till' Wdod is soft and white and is useless for building pui-|)(Kes; but the 

 nuts, which are similar ui slia[ie and size to a black walnut, were made by the 

 natives to serve in many useful ways. ' The shell of the luit is hard and lilack 

 and capable of taking a very high iidlish. They were strung into leis and 

 fashioned into other ornaments. The dily kernels were strung on splinters of 

 bamboo to forni torches, whence the name candle-nut. The acrid juice con- 

 tained in the covering (if the nut was the base for a lilack dye for tapa and also 

 sei'ved as an ink in tatodinu the skin. The nuts, roasted and mixed with salt, 

 form a very pleasant side dish at native fea.sts. The oil was pi-essed from the 

 kernels and burned in stone lamps of native manufacture. It also made ;i water- 

 jn-oof coating for tapa, and was occasionall.v used among the old-time Hawaiians 

 to oil the body for various purposes, especially to render it slippery in evading 

 their opponents in physical encounters. The giun which exudes from the bark 

 also had several uses. 



It is of interest in this place to note that all branches of the Polynesian race 

 know the kukui by the same name. Thoimh the knkui is generally dispersed 

 over the islands, and forms a large part of the forest up to the upper edge of its 

 range, it has but few enemies among the Hawaiian insects. This fact is taken 

 to indicate its being of comparatively recent Hawaiian introduction, and sug- 

 gests that there has not been sufficient time for it to attract serious insect pests. 



Tin; liKK.MiFurrr. 

 Another native impoi-tation of nnicli value is the bn^adfrnit.--' or ulu, of the 



