of the large tribe Lobelioideae. It is a rather handsome tree, undoubtedly one 

 of the oldest types of Lobelias, and has an almost antediluvian appearance. This 

 striking plant, of which only three trees are now in existence, is a species of 

 Clermontia, and is described in this volume under the name Clermontia Hale- 

 akalotsis. It was found on the inner slopes of Puunianiau crater at the head of 

 one of the numerous small gulches which find their origin in this crater basin. 

 The trees were thickly surrounded by Rubus hawaiiensis and Sophora chryso- 

 pliylla. It flowered during the month of October. If not protected from the 

 cattle, which are very fond of the thick, fleshy leaves of this wonderful plant, it 

 also will join the others of its race, as Cyanea arbor ea and Cyanea comata, which 

 have vanished forever. 



Of Gramineae, or grasses, mention may be made of the following: Koeleria 

 glomerata, and var. nov. rigida Hack., and the newly-described Argrostis Rockii 

 Hack., which was discovered by the writer at an elevation of 9700 feet between 

 rocks near the summit of the mountain. Hackel, who described the plant, says 

 that it is an excellent species and is nearest related to A. varians, which, how- 

 ever, is no xerophyte, as is A. Rockii. 



The vegetative formation of the upper forest zone on Mauna Kea and Mauna 

 Loa has already been described in the chapter on Hawaii. Mention may be 

 made, however, of the introduced, or rather naturalized, flora of this region. 

 Veronica arvensis grows as a weed among rocks and on the pasture lands above 

 6000 feet elevation with Sonchus oleraceus, which, by the way, was the last plant 

 observed on Mauna Kea at an elevation of 12,000 feet, where it was prostrate 

 with leaves and flow r ers closely pressed to the ground, with a long root-stock. 

 Gnaphalium sandwicensium and G. luteo-album grow side by side in the black cin- 

 der and between rocks. One of the most common plants is Senecio vulgaris, 

 which can be observed up to an elevation of 10,000 feet and even higher ; Cheno- 

 podium album is often found in its company. 



Since the introduction of grass seeds by the ranchmen to improve their pas- 

 ture lands, many undesirable grasses and weeds have come with them. We find 

 Poa annua on the slopes of Mauna Kea together with Cynodon dactylon, Bromus 

 unioloides, and Eragrostis atropioides, which, however, is a native grass originally 

 found on Haleakala, Maui. Also Hordeum murinum var. leporinum, Lolium 

 multiflorum, a very tall grass, usually found in company with Malvastrum tri- 

 cuspidatum, which for that part of the district forms a valuable fodder plant, 

 owing to the absence of anything better. Bromus villosus occurs here and there 

 in patches, while Poa pratensis is found scattered. 



The following Cyperaceae occur in this region: Carex macloviana on Moano 

 hill, Carex sandwicensis scattered over the w r hole of Mauna Kea, and a new va- 

 riety of the same about to be published by Rev. G. Kiikenthal. 



In conclusion, a few w r ords may here not be out of place, describing briefly 

 the floral aspects of Lanai, Niihau and Kahoolawe. 



The Island of Lanai is the best forest-covered island of the three last men- 



83 



