280 SAMOAN PLANTS AND THEIR VERNACULAR NAMES, 
of thousands, forming stems from an inch to two feet in diameter, uniting 
in the main trunk more than eighty feet above the ground, and sup- 
porting a vast system of horizontal branches, spreading like an um- 
brella over the tops of the other trees." (Wilkes, Narrative of U. S. 
Expl. Exped., a.D. 1838-42, vol. ii. p. 119.) This testimony is correct. 
There is a tree of this description near my house, many fathoms in 
circumference, its roots extending horizontally, level with the ground, 
many fathoms also. Another of these trees grows about a mile from 
my house on the right-hand side of a path which leads to the village 
of Fagasa, a considerable distance from the path towards the moun- 
tain. This is remarkable for having grown near a large “ Ifi” (Ino- 
carpus edulis), its branches embracing and concealing the trunk of the 
“ I," whose crown is seen spreading out above as though they grew 
out of the ** Ada.” 
Aóe-fafine, Aóa-tai (Ficus sp.). This is a large tree, which does 
not send down roots from its branches. It has a large straight trunk 
and spreading branches. Fruit the size of a large currant, dark coloured, 
and very sweet when ripe. There is a fine specimen of it near the 
sea-beach on Aunuu. 
Aóa-tai. This zoophyte assumes the appearance of a small tree, 
with a dark brown stem and branches. 
Arasi (Melia Azedarach). Brought from Australia, and naturalized 
in Samoa. : 
Aságe, al. Fue-aságe (Fue, a creeper) (Morinda sp.). Stem round, 
rough, with numerous spreading branches, all twining. Leaves small, 
opposite, entire; stipules interpetiolar. Flowers small, in heads of 
5-10. Calyx apparently inferior, cup-shaped, rising above the ovary, 
entire. Corolla monopetalous, greenish. Stamens 4 or 5, inserted ` 
in the corolla. Ovary inferior; ovules 4 ?, ascending ; style as long 
as the corolla; stigma bifid. Fruit a capitulum of 5-10 carpels, much 
resembling that of Morinda citrifolia, but much smaller and of darker 
colour. Stems used for making traps, called * ume," for catching 
large crayfish. I have met with this plant only on Manu‘a, on the 
ridge of the mountain behind the village of Faleasao, 
Asauá (Gleichenia dichotoma). 
Aságe (Cinchonacea). A twining plant. 
[Asi. A broad ring of cocoa-nut shell, used for scraping ** Taro.”] 
Asi. The name by which the Sandal-wood (Santalum, sp. pl.) is known, 
