INO= ly, SMITHSONIAN EXPLORATIONS, IQI16O 59 
State. Nearly one hundred rusts were obtained and about 250 col- 
lections of fleshy fungi, a group of which scarcely more than a 
dozen species have been reported from New Mexico. Probably 
more than 300 species of fungi have been added to the known flora 
of the State as a result of the expedition. 
BOTANICAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS 
During the summer of 1g16, from June to November, Mr. A. S. 
Hitchcock, systematic agrostologist in the Department of Agriculture 
and custodian of the section of grasses of the division of plants in 
the National Museum, traveled in the Hawaiian Islands studying 
and collecting the flora, especially the grasses. Mr. Hitchcock was 
assisted by his son, A. E. Hitchcock. The islands visited were Kauai, 
Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, these comprising all the 
islands of the main group except the two small ones Kahoolawe and 
Nuhau. The islands are all of volcanic origin and the rock is lava 
except a very little that is coral formation. NKauai, the geologically 
oldest island, shows the greatest effect of erosion, the deep canyons 
rivaling in beauty the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. The rain- 
fall on the mountains of the windward side is excessive, that of 
Waialeale, the highest peak of Kauai, being as much as 600 inches 
per annum. The lee side of the islands is arid, the rainfall being 
often reduced to less than 15 inches per annum. The islands to 
the south are successively younger, Hawaii, the largest, being now in 
a state of volcanic activity. On this island are the two highest peaks 
of the group, Mauna Kea, 13,825 feet, and Mauna Loa, 13,675 feet 
in height. Above 10,000 feet there is scarcely any vegetation upon 
these peaks, especially upon Mauna Loa which is made up of com- 
paratively recent lava. There is much snow upon the peaks in winter 
and extensive banks persist throughout the year. The magnitude of 
the mountain mass is greater than at first appears, because the cones 
arise from the floor of the ocean 18,000 feet below the surface, thus 
making the total height over 30,000 feet. The gradual slope from 
the sea to the summit deceives the eye and the great height is not 
at first fully realized. Upon Hawaii is the active volcano Kilauea 
(4,000 feet) with its pit of boiling lava. What is said to be the 
largest crater in the world (Haleakala) is upon Maui, the second 
largest island of the group. 
The important agricultural industries of the islands are sugar, 
live stock, and pineapples. The native Hawatian population is 
decreasing. It is only in the less accessible parts of the islands that 
