KAUAIANDOAHU. 63 



completed, I put Mr. Knox in charge of her, and sent her with several 

 of the naturalists to Kauai, with instructions to land them, on their 

 return, on the west side of Oahu, for its examination. 



They left Honolulu on the 25th of October, and experiencing light 

 winds, did not reach Kauai, although distant only a few hours' sail, 

 until the morning of the 27th, when they were landed at Koloa, on 

 the southeast side of that island. Here a heavy sea was rolling. 

 After the vessel anchored, some canoes came off, and the people 

 pointed out a good landing in a small rocky cove, that appeared as 

 though it had once been a large cavern, whose top had fallen in. 



On landing, they entered an extensive level plain, bounded -by a 

 ridge of mountains, and cultivated in sugar-cane and mulberries. 

 Captain Stetson has an establishment here built of adobes, but these 

 are not found to be adapted to the climate. The environs of Koloa 

 afford some pasturage ; the soil is good, though dry and very stony ; 

 the grass and foliage, however, looked luxuriant. About two miles 

 from Koloa, Captain Stetson has his silk establishment, consisting of 

 mulberry-grounds, cocoonery, &c. Our gentlemen were kindly re- 

 ceived by Messrs. Stetson, Peck, Burnham, and others. 



Agreeably to instructions, the naturalists divided themselves into 

 three parties — one, consisting of Dr. Pickering and Mr. Bracken- 

 ridge, was to cross over the centre of the island, from Waimea to 

 Halelea, observing the botany of the high ground; another, compris- 

 ing Messrs. Peale and Rich, was to proceed along the coast on its 

 eastern side ; and the third party, Messrs. Dana and Agate, intended 

 to pursue an intermediate course, to view the scenery, geological 

 formation, &c. The schooner was in the mean time to make some 

 examinations of the roadsteads and small harbours of the island. 



There were two old craters near the beach, which were visited. 

 Only a few trees were observed. On the low wet grounds are taro- 

 patches and fish-ponds. Among the few interesting plants were a 

 species of Daphne, a Cleome, and some Sidas. The garden of 

 Captain Stetson contained several ornamental plants, brought from 

 St. Catharine's, Brazil. The garden had a pretty appearance, being 

 enclosed with a hedge of ti plants (Dracsena), set closely together, 

 about five feet in height, topped with thin, wide-spreading leaves, 

 while the walks were bordered with Psilotum instead of box. 



The mulberry trees do not produce well here, being subject to 

 Wight, and requiring great attention. This is thought to be owing 

 to the dryness of the strong trade-winds that constantly blow, and 



