158 K^a Haita Kapa. 



Bixa Linn. Gen. n. 654. — Flores hermaphroditi. Sepala 5, inibricata, de- 

 cidua. Petala 5, ampla, contorto-imbricata. Stamina co toro crasso inserta; antherse 

 ad mediiim indnplicalJE ibidemqne riniis brevibius falso terminalibns dehiscentes. 

 Ovarii placentae 2, parnm prominulae, cc ovulatae; st3-lii.s elongatns, gestivatione 

 recurvus; stigmate brevissime 2-lobo. Cap.snla dense ecbiuato-setosa v. rarins nuda, 

 2-valvis, valvis cras.sis medio placeutiferi.s ; endocarpio membranaceo, solubili. Semina 

 obovoidea, funiculis apice dilatati.s; testa laxa, subcarnosa, ad rapheni sulcata; cotj-le- 

 dones latae, apice ssepe incnrvae. — Arbusculae succo colorem luteum v. rubrnm prae- 

 bente scatentes. Folia ampla, integerrima, palminervia. Flores terminales paniculati, 

 speciosi. Pedicelli sub calyce 5-glandulosi. (H. & B.) 



B. orellana Linn. — Tree 10-12 ft. liigli. Leaves glabrous, cordate or ovate, 

 acuminate. Capsule covered with .setose prickles. 



This shrub was formerly cultivated here for the red dye obtained bv macerat- 

 ing the .seed pulp, and has become naturalized in places. This is the Arnotto said to 

 be a favorite coloring matter used by dairA-men. I found it growing apparentlv wild 

 in 1864 in Nuuanu and on the barren plains east of Kawaiahao church. A native of 

 tropical America. (Fig. 94.) 



This is another of the contributions that have reached these islands from the 

 shores of tropical America. Whether it came with the Atgctiioiic jncxicaiia which 

 was already naturalized in the days of Captain Cook we cannot say, for that careful 

 observer did not notice it. The pulp}' seeds are eaten hy birds through whose 

 alimentarv canal they pass without injury, and they may have come attached to 

 the hairy or wooU}- hides of domestic animals imported later. I believe that the old 

 Hawaiians used the plant as an useful dA-e at least a century ago. My observa- 

 tions convince me that with the diminished iise the Bixa is disappearing from the 

 group; it seems to be confined to a few gardens where it is cultivated for its prett}- 

 leaf and conspicuous fruit pod. 



In addition to the following plants here described the old Hawaiians made use 

 of two ferns, the Palaa [Davallia toiuifolid) and the AntauDiau (Sad/rria cyatlieoides). 

 The use of the former has been mentioned by Malo as a red d3'e applied in the /;;/// 

 or n-ative underground oven (p. 12); the latter (the name akso applies to a god who 

 dwelt among the ferns) was used both for sizing the mamaki fibre and for a red dj-e, 

 The descriptions in brief of these ferns are as follows : — 



