through. Sadleria ferns, which like the open country, are numerous, with an 

 occasional Cibotium (see plate XI) ; the trees are the same as in the rain forest, 

 but are more stunted, while the shrubs are composed of different species. Vac- 

 cinium reticulatum ranks first, then Cyathodes tameiameia, an epacridaceous 

 plant with pretty white and red berries, and also the poisonous thymelaeaceous 

 plant Wikstroemia sp. On the open lava fields Ohia lehua abounds, and especially 

 along the hot sulphur cracks, where the small trees are covered with the yellow 

 crystals. Many cyperaceous plants can be found ; among them are the following 

 indigenous species : Cyperus mauiensis, Carex sandwicensis, Gahnia Gaudi- 

 chaudii, Cladium angustifolium, Cladium Meyenii, etc. In the old cracks, San- 

 talum Freycinetianum var. latifolium is common, besides several species of 

 Coprosma and the composite shrub Baillardia laxiflora, the sapindaceous cos- 

 mopolitan Dodonaea viscosa, besides the common fern, Polypodium pellucidum, 

 Lycopodium cernuum, etc. Adjoining this open scrub vegetation is the Koa 

 forest (see plate XII), where giant trees can be seen, some reaching a height of 

 80 feet with a trunk 6 feet or so in diameter. It is mixed with Ohia lehua, 

 Straussia, Suttonia, Perrottetia, and tree ferns, while in the forks of its branches 

 small trees of a new lobeliaceous plant, Clermontia sp.,* have established them- 

 selves. Miles of this forest exist in which one can easily lose his way if he tries 

 to penetrate into the interior, which in certain localities is inaccessible. The 

 le-ie vine is occasionally met with, but 4000 feet elevation is its limit. Border- 

 ing this forest to the south are extensive lava flows of aa, which have now been 

 taken possession of by Acacia Koa solely. (See plate XIII.) Here the trees 

 do not grow straight, but have short trunks with very crooked branches, of 

 which the lower invariably trail on the ground. In contrast to the lowland aa 

 flows, which are taken possession of by Ohia, at this elevation Koa is the pre- 

 dominant or sole tree. 



Three or four miles from the Volcano House, in the midst of aa lava just 

 described, is a bit of land composed of 56 acres, which is called Kipuka Puaulu 

 by the natives. This little oasis, as it should properly be termed, shows no sign 

 of lava rock, but has rich, deep, black soil which supports a marvelous mixture 

 of vegetation. As many as forty species of trees are present in this beautiful 

 park-like spot. (See plate XIV.) It is of a similar nature to the mixed or dry 

 forest of the lower forest zone. This kipuka or oasis is situated at an elevation 

 of 4000 to 4500 feet, and is surrounded on three sides by old aa flows, 20 to 30 

 feet thick, while on the southeast side it is cut off by an old pahoehoe flow, 

 which supports a scanty Ohia lehua growth. Many unique species of trees occur 

 in this beautiful spot, and have not been found on the other islands and not 

 even in other localities on the same island. 



It is the writer's opinion that this forest is the sort of type which covered 

 the slopes of Mauna Loa at this elevation for quite a large area but was de- 

 stroyed by the many lava flows which broke out on the flanks of the mountain. 

 Fortunately this little oasis, which will soon be reserved as a National park, 



♦Clermontia Hawaiiensis (Hbd.) Eock. 



29 



