CRUISE or THE PORPOISE. 303 



In the ferns, however, the difference is most obvious, and consists 

 in the predominance here of different genera and tribes. 



Tlie absence of American plants was also observed here : they did 

 not appear to be much more numerous than at the southern islands, 

 notwithstanding what has been generally reported. 



The most remarkable feature of the flora is the woody Lobeliacese ; 

 these are in great variety, and constitute several distinct genera. 



It is believed there are more than fifty genera of different families 

 peculiar to these islands ; and with regard to species, it is thought all 

 that are unequivocally indigenous, will be found strictly confined to 

 this portion of the globe. 



The botanical regions may be divided into that of the sea-coast, 

 the wooded district below the altitude of six thousand feet, and a 

 third division at a still higher level. Alpine plants do not occur 

 here. For further remarks on the interesting botany of this group, 

 I must refer to the Botanical Report of the cruise. 



Having spoken so much of the climate of the different districts, 

 it will only be necessary here to take a general view of that of the 

 whole Hawaiian Group. The monthly mean temperature ranges 

 between 70° and 78°. This remark applies to the coast almost exclu- 

 sively ; for, as would naturally be expected, on higher elevations the 

 thermometer stands lower. The daily variation is seldom more than 

 ten or twelve degrees. The barometer does not tisually vary much 

 from 30-00 in. It will have been perceived that there is a great dif- 

 ference in the degree of moisture which exists within a few miles ; 

 indeed, I might say, that within a few rods a different climate often 

 prevails : in this respect, there are few places in the islands so re- 

 markable as the immediate vicinity of the town of Honolulu. 



While parts of the town are rarely visited by showers, other por- 

 tions of it are noted for the frequency of their occurrence. In 

 passing from the town up the valley of Nuuanu, rain becomes more 

 frequent, until at last the superabundance of moisture is quite 

 annoying. 



There is a great variety of opinions relative to the healthfulness 

 of the climate, and it certainly has opposite effects upon the feelings 

 of different persons. Upon the whole, the leeward side of the island 

 is to be preferred as a place of residence, although the quantity of dust 

 renders it at times very uncomfortable, for it seldom happens that 

 there is sufiicient rain to lay it ; while on the weather side the fre- 



