-50 Green's remarks on the Ti Plant. 



This Achatina is a native of the Sandwich Islands. It 

 does not appear to be so common as the A. Stewartii, which 

 it resembles a little; but it differs from that species in be- 

 ing much more elevated in proportion to its diameter — in 

 the number of its whorls — in the absence of the impressed 

 line near the suture, and in many other characters. 



Note — In addition to what we have already said respect- 

 ing the plant on which these Achatina's are commonly 

 found, the following remarks may perhaps be interesting — 

 This shrub, called by the natives Ti, (often improperly spell- 

 ed Tee) is no doubt the Dracena terminalis, (Jaquin) and 

 seems to have been first noticed by Capt. Cook. Sir J. E. 

 Smith, in the New Encyclopedia, remarks that the Islanders 

 consider this a sort of sacred shrub, planting it about places 

 of worship and burial. I am informed, however, by Mr. 

 Stewart, who has resided more than two years at the Sand- 

 wich Islands, that it is held in no superstitious reverence 

 whatever. The shrub, from its peculiar growth, is pretty 

 well adapted for hedges, and is thus used not only as a kind 

 of fence about their sacred places, but for every kind of en- 

 closure. Like our olive branch, it is, as has been stated, 

 their emblem of peace. The root of the Ti may be con- 

 sidered as one of the luxuries of Oahu and. most of the South 

 Sea Islands; besides being useful in making a kind of beer, 

 when baked it is exceedingly sweet and luscious — much 

 more so even than the sugar cane, so that very small quan- 

 tities only can be eaten at once. When taken in this way 

 its effects on the system have been said to be narcotic; this, 

 however, is probably incorrect. As before hinted, an in- 

 toxicating liquor was formerly made from the juice of this 

 root by distillation; but at present, by the influence of the 

 missionaries and the good sense of the chiefs, this process 

 has been tobooed f or prohibited. 



