through. Sadleria ferns, which like the open country, are numerous, with an 
occasional Cibotium (see plate XI) ; the trees are the same as in the rain forest, 
but are more stunted, while the shrubs are composed of different species. Vac- 
cintum reticulatum ranks first, then Cyathodes tameiameia, an epacridaceous 
plant with pretty white and red berries, and also the poisonous thymelaeaceous 
plant Wikstroemia sp. On the open lava fields Ohia lehua abounds, and especially 
along the hot sulphur cracks, where the small trees are covered with the yellow 
crystals. Many cyperaceous plants can be found; among them are the following 
indigenous species: Cyperus mauiensis, Carex sandwicensis, Gahnia Gaudi- 
chaudu, Cladium angustifolium, Cladium Meyenii, ete. In the old cracks, San- 
talum Freycinetianum var. latifolium is common, besides several species of 
Coprosma and the composite shrub Raillardia laxiflora, the sapindaceous cos- 
mopolitan Dodonaea viscosa, besides the common fern, Polypodium pellucidum, 
Lycopodium cernuum, ete. Adjoining this open serub vegetation is the Koa 
forest (see plate XII), where giant trees can be seen, some reaching a height of 
80 feet with a trunk 6 feet or so in diameter. It is mixed with Ohia lehua, 
Straussia, Suttonia, Perrottetia, and tree ferns, while in the forks of its branches 
small trees of a new lobeliaceous plant, Clermontia sp.,* have established them- 
selves. Miles of this forest exist in which one can easily lose his way if he tries 
to penetrate into the interior, which in certain localities is inaccessible. The 
Te-ie vine is occasionally met with, but 4000 feet elevation is its limit. Border- 
ing this forest to the south are extensive lava flows of aa, which have now been 
taken possession of by Acacia Koa solely. (See plate XIII.) Here the trees 
do not grow straight, but have short trunks with very crooked branches, of 
which the lower invariably trail on the ground. In contrast to the lowland aa 
flows, which are taken possession of by Ohia, at this elevation Koa is the pre- 
dominant or sole tree. 
Three or four miles from the Voleano House, in the midst of aa lava just 
described, is a bit of land composed of 56 acres, which is called Kipuka Puaulu 
by the natives. This little oasis, as it should properly be termed, shows no sign 
of lava rock, but has rich, deep, black soil which supports a marvelous mixture 
of vegetation. As many as forty species of trees are present in this beautiful 
park-like spot. (See plate XIV.) It is of a similar nature to the mixed or dry 
forest of the lower forest zone. This kipuka or oasis is situated at an elevation 
of 4000 to 4500 feet, and is surrounded on three sides by old aa flows, 20 to 30 
feet thick, while on the southeast side it is eut off by an old pahoehoe flow, 
which supports a scanty Ohia lehua growth. Many unique species of trees occur 
in this beautiful spot, and have not been found on the other islands and not 
even in other localities on the same island. 
It is the writer’s opinion that this forest is the sort of type which covered 
the slopes of Mauna Loa at this elevation for quite a large area but was de- 
stroyed by the many lava flows which broke out on the fianks of the mountain. 
Fortunately this little oasis, which will soon be reserved as a National park, 
* Clermontia Hawaiiensis (Hbd.) Rock. 
29 
