HOLIDAYS IN HAWAII 



The ferns come slowly marching in from witliout, 

 but in the centre of the crater, on the slopes of the 

 red cones and at their bases, is another plant that 

 seems indigenous, born of the ash and the scoria of 

 the volcano, and that apparently has no chlorophyl 

 in its make-up. This is a striking plant, called the 

 silver sword, from the shape and color of its long, 

 narrow leaves. They are the color of frosted silver, 

 and are curved like a sword. It is a strange appari- 

 tion, white arid delicate and rare, springing up in 

 the crater of a slumbering volcano. A more striking 

 contrast with the atmosphere of the surroundings 

 would be hard to find — a suggestion of peace and 

 purity above the graves of world-destroying forces, 

 an angel of light nourished by the ashes of the de- 

 mons of death and darkness. 



It is claimed by the people of the island that this 

 plant is found in no other place on the globe, but 

 this can hardly be possible. If its evolution took 

 place in one crater, it would take place in another. 

 It consists of a great mass of silvery -white, bristling 

 leaves resting upon the ground, from which rises a 

 stalk, strung with flowers, to the height of five or 

 six feet. It is evidently of the Yucca type of plant, 

 and has met with a singular transformation in the 

 sleeping volcano's mouth, all its harsh and savage 

 character turned into gentleness and grace, its 

 armament of needles and daggers giving place to a 

 soft, silvery down. We did not see the plant grow- 



141 



