supports a vegetation mostly composed of Nototrichium sandwicense and Dra- 
caena aurea, which are the predominant trees in this district. An occasional 
Pittosporum, Straussia, and Santalum can be observed, but the two first men- 
tioned form the main plant growth. On the kipukas, which were originally 
covered with Cynodon dactylon (Manienie grass), the guava has established 
itself to such an extent that it is difficult to penetrate far into these kipukas 
without a eane knife or an axe. 
From Manuka toward Honomalino are several stretches of aa lava flows 
geologically younger than the rest of the country. These flows have originated 
at an elevation of about 4000 feet and can be distinguished from afar by the 
entirely different vegetation which they support. These flows, of which Kaula- 
namauna is an example, are sharply outlined against the sky from the country 
which they intersect, by the tall, straight trees of Metrosideros polymorpha 
(Ohia) which form the main plant covering. It is only on the margins of these 
flows that intruders from the surrounding country, such as Reynoldsia, Pittos- 
porum, and others have taken a foothold, while Alphitonia excelsa (Kauila) has 
become a part of these Ohia forests. The scrub vegetation is mainly composed of 
the following plants: Styphelia tameiameia (Pukeawe), Santalum Freycine- 
tianum (Iliahi), the above mentioned Alphitonia, Gouldia sp., with very large, 
black berries, Vaccinium reticulatum, Coprosma montana, C. ernodeoides, Gah- 
mia gaudichaudii, and Rumex giganteus (Pawale ), besides the two species of 
Cladium, Pellaea ternifolia and the everpresent Nephrolepis exaltata, which 
seems to thrive as well on aa lava as in the dampest lower forests. The vegeta- 
tion of Manuka is more or less uniform and not as interesting as that of Kapua, 
only a few miles distant. 
Besides the Kipuka Puaulu near the Voleano House, there are only two dis- 
tricts on Hawaii which possess an extremely rich and xerophilous flora, namely, 
Puuwaawaa in North Kona, and its rival Kapua in South Kona. There is no 
doubt in the writer’s mind that a vegetation such as is represented in both these 
districts encircled the southern slopes of Mauna Loa, but was consumed by the 
various lava flows, leaving these two districts unmolested. Kapua is small in 
area, and so is Puuwaawaa ; their vegetative growth is very similar, though the 
latter is richer m species. They are about 50 miles apart, and the intervening 
country is taken up by more or less uniform vegetation which has little in com- 
Dae sis either Kapua or Puuwaawaa. Beginning with the lowlands at Kapua 
n elevation of about 2000 feet, the vegetation covering this area, which is on 
a nee to the dry or mixed forest type, while above it, 
ios a , the vegetation is of the rain forest type, but by far 
et as he rain forest above Naalehu, Kan. Species of the lower levels 
have ascended into the wet forest, or vice versa. 
isco void se rane zone, which is composed of the ordinary 
esd ls ved ea : region, commences an exceedingly interesting 
egetation. The most common tree, forming 60 
38 
