HAWAII AND OAHU. 105 



several Convolvuli and Sidas, with a few grasses and some lichens. 

 Copaiva and Plumbago, are two of the most powerful remedies in 

 the native materia medica. The Sidas are used for making liis for 

 the women. 



The ground has the appearance of having been once more exten- 

 sively cultivated than it is at present. The trees were Artocarpus, 

 Aleurites, Eugenia, and Broussonetia, all of which furnish both ifood 

 and clothing, and have been brought here at some former time from 

 other regions. 



On Monday, our gentlemen formed themselves into two parties, 

 and started on horseback for their journey. One party consisted of 

 Messrs. Peale, Rich, and Hall, with eight Kanakas and two guides ; 

 Mr. Dana and Midshipman Hudson, with Kanakas and guides, formed 

 the other, which took the route along the sea-shore towards the south, 

 well provided with provisions, and a supply of various articles for 

 their journey ; Mrs. Forbes, with great kindness, having added many 

 things for their comfort, which they duly appreciated. 



On their way from the coast, they in a short time came to a 

 very fertile district, with luxuriant sugar-cane, taro, &c., and good 

 houses. The taro here is cultivated without water ; but in order to 

 retain the moisture and protect the plant from the sun, it was ob- 

 served that they used fern-leaves to secure and shield the roots. The 

 taro, thus cultivated, attains a much larger size and is superior to 

 that which is grown in water, being more dry and mealy. The 

 houses of this district are much better also, although the natives, for 

 the most part, reside at the sea-shore, to enjoy fishing and bathing. 



In their day's jaunt they passed some wooded land, the trees of 

 which consisted of koa (Acacia), Edwardsia chrysophylla (which 

 is used for fuel), Dodonsea, &c. Plants of wild raspberry and 

 strawberry were seen, — the fruits of both now out of season ; the 

 former, however, yet showed some of its blossoms, like small roses. 

 The most remarkable plant was a species of dock, with large clusters 

 of crimson flowers, which runs up the branches of dead trees to the 

 height of twenty or thirty feet. These woods abounded with birds, 

 several of which Mr. Peale shot; among them a crow, called by 

 the natives Alala, and a muscicapa called Elepaio, — formerly wor- 

 shipped as the god of canoe-makers. Before reaching their camping- 

 place, they stopped to fill their calabashes with water, as they did not 

 expect to find any of that necessary article for the next few days. On 

 the edge of the last timber, at the elevation of two thousand feet, they 



VOL. IV. 27 



