118 a BOTANICAL TOUR AMONG THE SOUTH SEA ISLANDS. 
times form an impenetrable mass, especially when an Zpomoa, of which I 
noticed several species, had found its way into the midst of them. Among 
t erns, Nephrodium, Nephrolepis, Asplenium, Pteris, and Lomaria, were 
more plentiful upon the mountain sides, while groups of Marattia elegans, 
and a species of Alsophi/a, were common in moist places 
Our next anchorage was at Apia Upolu, which is also one of the Samoan 
group. Here the vegetation is much the same, and the natives quite as mild 
and good-humoured in aspect as those at Tutuila. Although the weather was 
exceedingly warm, I had some very pleasant walks during our stay at Apia, 
and through the kindness of H.M. Consul (Mr. Williams) and the mission- 
aries, who sent guides with me into the interior, I experienced no diffieulties, 
save the work of travelling up and down the steep mountains, which is often 
rendered less laborious by the many trailers and climbers that hang nm 
almost every stem, and which enables one, by catching hold, to pull u 
teen sorts of that useful and ornamental plant. This I cannot doubt, when 
in a walk of twelve miles I met with eight distinct varieties. In a valley near 
in getting a few knina rne which have ine safely. The fruit beet 
exactly 18 inches in length, and 12 inches in circumference, while the tree 
itself was not more than 20 feet in height. But by far the largest Breadfruit- 
ree I have met with anywhere, was also in Tana ; its trunk was 7 feet in cir- 
cumference five feet from the und, while it nid not have been less than 
any of the other islanders. At the Samoas and at Vavou it seems to be the 
principal diet. The refreshing green of its s foliage, the ser — bakti 
i its b 
afford 
with in the islands. At Upolu, as also in most of the islands, the Inocarpus 
ed n or * South Sea Chestnut,” is to be found; but it is nowhere so ple..tiful 
as in the Fijis, where it often grows to a height of more than 50 feet. Th 
peer presents a very remarkable appearance, having projections like buttresses . 
The leaves are of a dark green, and the flowers, although small, are very fra- 
grant. The fruit somewhat resembles a chestnut, and when roasted is much 
used as food by the natives. Near to the B rendfrait-broo, with fine foliage 
(described as being near to the cascades), were the finest specimens of Znocar- 
pus I have met with. They presented a rather novel but beautiful appearance, 
being literally covered with Dendrobiums, of which there were three species. 
The v hoslifnd Sapindus pinnatus, which is closely allied to, and not unlike the 
