FIJI-NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION 27 
These good friends proceeded to give us such a day in Honolulu 
and vicinity as none of us will ever forget. They put us into 
autos for a delightful drive to Pali Pass, a scene of mountains, 
valleys and sea that is noted throughout the world. I could not 
help contrasting this swift ride over the best of roads of easy 
gradient with the painful ascent for wearisome hours on the oc- 
easion of my former visit. Winding through fields and forests of 
tropical trees, strange forms of vegetation on either hand, eatch- 
ing enchanting vistas of the city and the blue Pacific as we looked 
backward and of deep valleys and rugged crests of mountains as 
we looked ahead, we finally, with almost startling abruptness, 
found ourselves at the top of the Pass where we left the cars to 
view a picture too sublime for description. We stood on the bank 
of a sheer precipice over which tradition says a whole army was 
pushed by a victorious host. We could see the road winding down 
the other side like a white ribbon, and the exquisite green of 
growing sugarcane. There were scattered groups of coconut 
palms, beyond gleamed the breakers of the Pacific as they lazily 
rolled over the coral reefs on the windward side of Oahu. Then 
the deep pure blue of the ocean, appearing deeper and purer than 
ever when viewed from this height. 
We then visited the magnificent botanical garden connected 
with the experiment station under the direction of Dr. Lyon, who 
was our guide. For two of our party this was the first view of 
real tropical vegetation, and no better introduction to its marvels 
could be found. Next we went to the Club for luncheon with a 
notable group of Hawaiian men of science, many of whom had 
already welcomed us at the dock. We had broiled lobster and 
‘*poi,’’ the most characteristic native dish tasting and looking 
much like a paper-hanger’s paste, but we ate it with our spoons 
instead of swiping it into a gluey mass on two fingers as is, or 
was, the proper custom. There were delicious strawberries and 
watermelons, topped off with coffee and excellent cigars for those 
addicted to the weed. After luncheon I was ealled on to explain 
why we were there and tell ‘‘what we had up our sleeves.’’ They 
seemed interested in our expedition, as was natural when we re- 
member that Hawaii is the center of scientific activity for the 
whole of the tropical Pacific. 
After lunch we were whirled away to Waikiki Beach, the Coney 
Island of Honolulu, past gigantic hotels that have been erected 
since my former visit, and to the aquarium and marine laboratory 
