494 



AUSTRALASIA. 



in Honolulu, where, during a period of twelve years it never rose above 90° or fell 

 below 53°, shewing an extreme range of under 40 degrees. Although less 

 copious than in Indonesia, the rainfall is still abundant, averaging annually from 

 60 to 80 inches. The north-east trades, -which blow with great regularity for 

 nine months in the year, bring from time to time refreshing downpours, and the 

 cHmate is altogether one of the most agreeable and salubrious in the world. 



Fig. 224.— Hawaii. 

 Scale 1 : 1,500,000. 



156 



West or breenwicln 



Depths. 



to 1,000 

 Fathoms. 



1,000 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



. 18 Miles. 



The indigenous flora is less varied than might be expected from the mean 

 high temperature and the fertility of the soil. Along the narrow zone of the coast- 

 lands little is seen beyond cocoanut groves and two other species of palms, the 

 breadfruit tree, and a few other plants, such as the oleaginous kukui (aleurites) 

 still used for lighting the houses. But in the well-watered upland valleys the 

 vegetation is far more exuberant and diversified. Here flourishes the gigantic 

 halapepe {brenc/ileya), with foliage like that of the pandanus, and in general the 



