Amarantaceae. 
Leaves ovate or obovate-oblong 6 to 30 em jong, 4 to se em wide, on petioles of 
2 to 8 em rounded at both ends, ig la pak apd into the petiole, fleshy, thick or char- 
taceous when fresh, glabrous, dark gre with i mpressed ihenigks parallel veins; panicles 
compound, red, oft ten 40 to 50 em sero ‘oat szmalle in the specimens ice dry districts, on 
peduneles ‘of sometimes Page a Eosg rs 2 mm, thin rather pale; bracts about 1 
mm, ovate; sepals ov ie ong as the sepals; utriculus 2 to 3 mm, 
enclosed or partly ae: paren! gaat hittd exserted, 
This is a tree of 15 to 35 feet in height, and reaches its best development in 
the dry regions. It is a very variable species, and was, as a matter of fact, de- 
scribed by Gaudichaud as two different species, mainly on the shape of the leaf. 
The Papala oceurs on all the islands of the group in the rain as well as the dry 
forests. It is not uncommon in Manoa and Pauoa valleys, Oahu, as well as in 
the whole Koolau range, where it grows in densely shaded ravines and on moun- 
tain slopes. On Kauai it is plentiful at Hanalei and neighborhood. We find it 
again in all the valleys of the Kohala mountains, but not higher than about 4000 
feet. The biggest and finest specimens of this tree the writer observed in North 
Kona, Hawaii, at Puawaawaa, where the trunks reached a diameter of two and 
a half feet, being perfectly straight and clothed in a very smooth, light brown, thio 
bark. The trunk, in its lower portion, usually divides into several column-like 
parts, in the form of buttresses. When in full bloom it is a rather attractive 
looking tree. The wood is very soft and fibrous, and when dry exceedingly light, 
and will burn like paper. It is the very tree which was used by the natives for a 
most original and grand display of fireworks, owing to the easiness with which 
the wood can be ignited. Mrs. Sinclair in her beautiful book on the ‘‘ Indigenous 
Flowers of the Hawaiian Islands,’’ says the following in regard to this sport: 
“On the northwest side of Kauai the coast is extremely precipitous, the cliffs 
rising abruptly from the sea to a height of from one to two thousand feet, and 
from these giddy heights the ingenious and beautiful pyrotechnic displays take 
place. 
“On dark moonless nights upon certain points of these awful precipices, where 
a stone would drop sheer into the sea, the operator takes his stand with a supply of 
papala sticks, and, lighting one, launches it into space. The buoyancy of the wood 
causes it to float in mid-air, rising or falling according to the force of the wind, 
sometimes darting far seaward, and again drifting towards the land. Firebrand 
follows firebrand, until, to the spectators (who enjoy the scene in canoes upon the 
ocean hundreds of feet below), the heavens appear ablaze with great shooting 
stars, rising and falling, crossing and recrossing each other, in the most weird 
manner. So the display continues until the firebrands are consumed, or a lull in 
the wind permits them to descend slowly and gracefully to the sea.”’ 
On the Island of Kauai in the forest of Kaholuamano occurs another species of 
this genus—Ch. elliptica (Hbd.) Heller. It is certainly quite distinct from Ch. 
obovata in the long elliptical-lanceolate leaves, and very short inflorescence which 
is almost erect and not drooping. Hillebrand mentions it as a variety elliptica. 
NOTOTRICHIUM Hbd. 
lowers hermaphrodite, small conical, hispid villous or pubescent. Perianth deeply 
4 Becledy the lobes equal, an outer pair enclosing the inner one. Stamens slightly con- 
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