244 NATURAL HISTORY OF HAWAII. 



ties. The common species grown here, known as the "tiame tree" or "flam- 

 boyant tree," has been so well named as to scarcely recinire further description. 

 Though it is a fairly rapid grower it is not a large tree as a rule. The smooth 

 trunk is expanded at the base in a curious way, forming buttresses that corre- 

 spond with the principal roots. This peculiarity in connection witli its rich- 

 green foliage arranged in horizontal spreading layers of fine pinnate leaves, 

 makes it a tree so dainty as to attract attention at all seasons. But when it 

 bursts into full flower it is one solid mass of crimson, the admiration of all, and 

 without doubt it is one of the most striking of tropical trees. Although it sheds 

 its leaves at certain seasons it is at such times almost as remarkable for its large 

 pods as .for the blossoms which preceded them. The generic term, which is the 

 one commonly used as the name of this species, was given in honor of Governor- 

 General Poin^i, v.'ho wrote on the nattiral history of the West Indies (luring the 

 middle of the seventeenth century. Tlic sjiecics and varieties common in warm 

 countries are found here. 



PRmE OF THE B.VRB.\DOES .VXD THE GoLDEN SiKIVVER. 



The pride of the Barbadoes,- with orange-colored blnssoms and a second 

 variety w itii y(41(iw t1i)Wers, are (|iiitc cniiniion. the latter lieiim- known ;is the yellow 

 ]>oini'iana. But more conspicuous through the summer months is the golden 

 sliiiwci',-' t>r after the pods Innc set im it, the '"pudding-stick" tree. The 

 foliage is quite scant, consisting of large pinnate leaves. The flowers appear in 

 pendant panicles and for several months there is a suece.ssion of pure primrose- 

 yellow, fragrant blossoms that justify the popular common name of the tree. 

 Another species is the purging Cassia'* or horse Cassia, witli pink and white 

 flowers and leave.s that somewhat resemble the locust. It is most conspicuous 

 when bearing the large club-like pods eighteen to twenty inehe-; long and an inch 

 oi- more ill diameter. Another species known locallv as tiie "]iiiik shower" re- 

 sembles the latter in many ways, but has the pods divided off with transverse 

 diai)hragms separating the seeds which are embedded in pulp. In this species''' 

 each seed is enclosed in a tiny pillbox-shaped case, the seeds lying collectively 

 in the pod like so many coins rolled together in a ease. The flowers urow in 

 clusters closely resembling those of large, rich-colored crabapple l)iossoins and 

 surround the bough of the previous year's growth. The tree remains in full 

 blossom ten or tweh'e weeks and is a delight to all beholders. Rut of this large 

 .genus there are numerous species represented in the introduced flora of the 

 islands, many of them producing handsome trees and shrubs. 



PRroE OF Indi.\. 



Th(> jn'ide of India," also a second and smaller s|HM-ies from Jamaica.' liotli 

 with delicate lilac-colored flowers, are often called the "niiilirella tree." The 

 flowers are followed by a ci-op of yellowish berries which are eaten and dis- 



