be observed. Asplenium adiantum nigrum, Aspleniiim trichomanes, Poly- 

 podium pellucidum and Pellaea ternifolia, besides Psilotum triquetrum, rep- 

 resent the cryptogams. 



About a mile above the government road Sophora chrysophylla (Mamani), 

 together with Myoporum sandwicense, are the predominant species, with under- 

 shrubs of Solanum incompletum, Gampylotheca sp., and a Labiate vine of the 

 genus Phyllostegia. Still higher up the lava fields are bare for a certain dis- 

 tance, especially lava fields of more recent origin. The only plants observed on 

 these flows are Bumex giganteus (Pawale), Gnaphalium sandwicense, Baillardia 

 scahra, and xerophytic ferns, as just mentioned above. 



The region called Waihou is composed of a semi-wet forest and is situated 

 at an elevation of 3500 feet. The predominant tree is first Metrosideros poly- 

 morpha (Ohia lehua), which inhabits an old pahoehoe lava flow adjoining the 

 rough aa lava fields ; here the trees are about 40 feet high. This grove of Ohia 

 lehua passes gradually into a more mixed forest, mainly Acacia Koa, Sophora, 

 Myoporum, and Euphorbia lorifolia (Akoko), which in places is so thick that 

 it is almost impossible to pass through it. A species of Urera grows quite tall, 

 besides Gheirodendron Gaudichaudii, Suttonia Lessertiana (Eolea), Ilex, and 

 others. Higher up occur Pelea volcanica, Pipturus albidus, tree ferns, Cibotium, 

 Broussaisia pellucida, and on the trunks of tree ferns, Clermontia coerulea. 



At 4500 feet, Metrosideros polymorpha (Ohia lehua) is stunted, as it grows 

 on aa lava flows, which intersect the old forest with its trees of 80 feet in 

 height at this elevation. It is the predominant tree on these flows ; only occa- 

 sionally one observes Suttonia sandwicensis and S. Lessertiana. 



Vaccinium pendidiflorum /9 var. gemmaceum assumes here the size of a tall 

 shrub ; here and there Stenogyne sessilis can be observed clinging to Ohia lehua. 



At 5000 feet, this vegetation gives place to a gravelly plain which is bordered 

 on its northern and southern limits by heavily-forested hills or ancient craters. 

 The principal trees on these hills are Acacia Koa, Ohia lehua, Styphelia tam,eia- 

 meia, and Coprosma rhynchocarpa. This latter tree reaches quite a size in height 

 and diameter of trunk, though nearly all trees are diseased, their trunks being 

 all hollow and the abode of a species of sow bug (Philoscia angusticauda) , which 

 can be found by millions. 



It is here that the wild native raspberry, Bubus Macraei (Ahala), attains 

 its most wonderful development; its runners vary from 10 to 15 feet in length 

 and are two inches in diameter, climbing over Koa trees and trailing over the 

 ground, thus forming almost impenetrable thickets. 



Here and there in the extensive barren lava fields and cinder plains are 

 beautiful green hills covered with old giants of Acacia Koa, which from their 

 elevation escaped destruction by the fiery streams, and now appear like oases 

 in a desert. 



On the northern border of this dismal plain, on the slopes of a crater, grows 



51 



