HOLIDAYS IN HAWAII 6 
The ferns come slowly marching in from without, 
but in the centre of the crater, on the slopes of the 
red cones and at their bases, is another plant that 
seems indigenous, born of the ash and the scoria of 
the volcano, and that apparently has no chlorophyl 
in its make-up. This is a striking plant, called the 
silver sword, from the shape and color of its long, 
narrow leaves. They are the color of frosted silver, 
and are curved like a sword. It is a strange appari- 
tion, white and delicate and rare, springing up in 
the crater of a slumbering volcano. A more striking 
contrast with the atmosphere of the surroundings 
would be hard to find — a suggestion of peace and 
purity above the graves of world-destroying forces, 
an angel of light nourished by the ashes of the de- 
mons of death and darkness. 
It is claimed by the people of the island that this 
plant is found in no other place on the globe, but 
this can hardly be possible. If its evolution took 
place in one crater, it would take place in another. 
It consists of a great mass of silvery-white, bristling 
leaves resting upon the ground, from which rises a 
stalk, strung with flowers, to the height of five or 
six feet. It is evidently of the Yucca type of plant, 
and has met with a singular transformation in the 
sleeping volcano’s mouth, all its harsh and savage 
character turned into gentleness and grace, its 
armament of needles and daggers giving place toa 
soft, silvery down. We did not see the plant grow- 
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