On the Botany of Tahiti. Ixxix 



on without taking any notice until I was close enougli to hear what they said, 

 when I found that that they had immediately recognized me for a Piritani, or 

 Englishman, and that I was quite welcome. My attendant, a long Yankee of 

 full six feet, presently made his appearance, having lagged behind because 

 he considered it the most })rudent course to keep his precious person out of 

 sight until he discovered how I was received. I soon recognized two or three 

 women as old acquaintances, and through their good report was soon made 

 quite at home in the house of the chief, which, not being a large one, was 

 given up to me for a sleeping apartment. After making a good tea with the 

 things I had brought with me, I had a long talk with the natives about the 

 war, and elicited the information I have given you above. Next morning, at 

 six o'clock, I started up the valley, by which I hoped to reach the summit of 

 the high triangular peak of the Crown mountain, as it is called, which is nearly 

 as high as any point in the island. 



The valley widened out considerably more after leaving the pa, but as the 

 gi'eater portion had been in cultivation or was covered with f^i trees, I did 

 not find much. I fovind, however, one rock covered with a plant I had 

 previously only seen in the valley of Pire, and which I had then taken for one 

 of the Commelinece ; it was here in flower, and turned out to be orchideous, 

 but very insignificant. It had round, upright, fleshy stems and pointed oval 

 somewhat serrated leaves, so that I think I might be excused the mistake. 

 The first new plants I saw were on a small ridge which we crossed in order to 

 avoid a long bend of the stream ; I here found Alyxia stellata, Nelitris 

 jamhosella, and the Arthi'opodium for the first time, besides one or two 

 Myrtacece not in flower. About a mile further on I saw a very handsome 

 downy-leaved Metrosideros growing out of a rock in the middle of the stream, 

 and on a hill, which I ascended by mistake, I found two species of a curious 

 tree with jointed branches, like a pepper, opposite oval serrated leaves and 

 long lax racemes of small, blackish fruit. This is not an uncommon plant, but 

 I have never seen it in flower. On the side of this hill I saw great numbers 

 of my new Erythrina in full flower, but only one within reach. They varied 

 in colour from almost white to scarlet, and unfortunately the one I was able 

 to get at was a pale flesh-coloured one ; it was entirely without prickles, and 

 had a very downy calyx, and fruit which appeared to be monospermous, but 

 were too young to be certain of. The trees were entirely naked, but some 

 twigs which I brought with me have grown in my plant cases, so that I shall 

 be able to describe it from cultivated specimens. This was the very last plant 

 I found of any interest. I continued on up the valley until about two o'clock 

 without finding anything more. At the point where I turned I passed a tree 

 quite covered with a sweet-scented orchideous epiphyte, which I had not seen 

 before, except in one spot, and Lobelia arhorea was vei*y common ; but 



