NO. 17 SMnilSONlAX i:XPLORATI()NS, I916 59 



State. Nearly one hundred rusts were obtained and about 250 col- 

 lections of tleshy fungi, a group of which scarcely more than a 

 dozen species have been reported from New Mexico. Probalily 

 more than 300 species of fungi have been added to the known flora 

 of the State as a result of the expedition. 



BOTANICAL EXPLORATIONS IN THE HAWAHAN LSLANDS 



During the summer of iyi6. from June to November, Mr. A. S. 

 Hitchcock, systematic agrostologist in the Department of Agriculture 

 and custodian of the section of grasses of the division of plants in 

 the National Museum, traveled in the Hawaiian Islands studying 

 and collecting the flora, especially the grasses. Mr. Hitchcock was 

 assisted by his son, A. E. Hitchcock. The islands visited were Kauai, 

 Oahu, Lanai, Molokai, Maui, and Hawaii, these comprising all the 

 islands of the main group exce])t the two small ones Kahoolawe and 

 Niihau. The islands are all of volcanic origin and the rock is lava 

 except a very little that is coral formation. Kauai, the geologically 

 oldest island, shows the greatest eiTect of erosion, the deeji canyons 

 rivaling in beauty the Grand Canyon of the Colorado. The rain- 

 fall on the mountains of the windward side is excessive, that of 

 Waialeale, the highest peak of Kauai, being as much as 600 inches 

 per annum. The lee side of the islands is arid, the rainfall being 

 often reduced to less than 15 inches per annum. The islands to 

 the south are successively younger, Hawaii, the largest, being now in 

 a state of volcanic activity. On this island are the two highest ]ieaks 

 of the group, Mauna Kea, 13.825 feet, and Mauna Loa, 13,675 feet 

 in height. Above 10,000 feet there is scarcely any vegetation upon 

 these peaks, especially upon Mauna Loa which is made up of com- 

 paratively recent lava. There is much snow upon the peaks in winter 

 and extensive banks persist throughout the year. The magnitude of 

 the mountain mass is greater than at first appears, because the cones 

 arise from the floor of the ocean 18,000 feet below the surface, thus 

 making the total height over 30,000 feet. The gradual slo])e from 

 the sea to the summit deceives the eye and the great height is not 

 at first fully realized. I'jion Hawaii is the active volcano Kilauea 

 (4,000 feet) with its pit of boiling lava. What is said to Ije the 

 largest crater in the world (Haleakala) is upon Maui, the second 

 largest island of the group. 



The important agricultural industries of the islands are sugar, 

 live stock, and pineapj^les. 'idie native Hawaiian population is 

 decreasing. It is only in the less accessible parts of the islands that 



