228 Fish-Poisoning in the Hawaian Islands 
small shrubs to small trees, and ranging from near sea level to an 
elevation of 7000 feet, but generally found growing in the lower 
forests. As the native vegetation is receding all these species be- 
come more and more difficult to find. 
The same author has the following note on the genus®: “Like 
many other plants of this order, the Hawaiian Akeas [akia] con- 
tain an acrid narcotic principle, and are employed by the natives in 
common with Awa and Ahuhu [auhuhu] for narcotizing fish.” He 
attaches the Hawaiian name akia to Wikstroenna foetida, var. 
oahuensis, which appears to have been the form most widely spread 
through these islands. 
The writer has found it impossible to secure from the natives 
an identification of the particular form of akia used for fishing. 
Two specimens of the plant were collected on Oahu in 1920 by Mr. 
C. N. Forbes—mountain forms of W. foetida and |W. elongata. 
The first specimen was shown to three natives, one of whom iden- 
tified it as akia maoli, the medicinal form. He did not know of 
akia having been used for fishing. The second native identified it 
as ahili, a form of Metrosideros, and the third as koko, a medic- 
inal plant. Two of the men said they were acquainted with akia 
fishing. 
Afterwards another native was engaged to collect the akia awa- 
awa on Oahu. He returned confidently with a specimen of WV. foe- 
tida, of a slightly different form from that previously collected by 
Mr. Forbes. All the specimens, including that of WW”. elongata were 
then submitted to a native from the southern part of Kona in the 
Island of Hawaii. He said they were not akia awaazva. 
The specimens were then shown to the occupants of the Luna- 
lilo Home for Aged Hawaiians. Some recognized the first spect- 
men of II’. foetida as the real akia awaawa and rejected the second 
specimen. <A rather forceful old man said that none of the speci- 
mens was the right one; that the akia awaawa was a shrub about 
2% feet high with small leaves, almost round, and could be found 
erowing at a certain place on the north side of Oahu. 
The native from South Kona offered to send home for a speci- 
men of the desired plant, but when it came, it was without blos- 
"Op: Cit. 
[ 12] 
