OBSERVATIONS OF A NATURALIST 

 IN THE PACIFIC 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTION 



The study of insular floras—Their investigation in this work from the stand- 

 point of d.spersal.-The significance of plant-distribution in the Pacific - 

 ine problems connected with the mountain-flora of Hawaii —The per 

 s.stence of dispersing agencies at the coast, their partial suspension on the 

 mountain-top, their more or less complete suspension in the forest, and the 

 effect on the endemic character of plants .-The connection between the 

 endemism of birds and plants.-The relative antiquity of plants of the coast 

 forest, and mountain-top.-The genetic relation between coast and inland 

 species of the same genus.-The ethics of plant-dispersaL-Evolution takes 

 no heed of modes of dispersal.-The seed-stage is the price of Adaptation. 



To proceed from the general to the special is the only method 

 of dealing with insular floras. A broad and comprehensive -rasp 

 of plant-distribution, such as is only acquired by a life-time of 

 research aided by travel and the handling of large collections, is a 

 necessary foundation for the study ; yet in the nature of things 

 such qualifications can be possessed by but a few. To direct an 

 inquiry m the opposite direction, and endeavour to attack the 

 problem of continental floras through the insular floras would 

 result merely in the investigation of a few of the many questions 

 connected with plant-distribution. 



The panoramic sketch of the surveyor on the mountain-top 

 aids him in a thousand ways when after months of tedious labour 

 he plots the details in his chart. Without such a panoramic view 

 ot the plant-world in his mind's eye, an observer like myself can 

 only look for guidance to the writings of those who have 

 VOL. II 



D. H. HILL LIBRARY 

 North Carolina State College 



