X INTRODUCTION. 



narrow channels. In ascending the hills, the trade-wind is said to be no longer felt 

 when an altitude of from 8000 to 10,000 feet is reached, a fact particularly observable 

 in the uplands of Kona ; but it causes almost perpetual wet weather at the higher 

 elevations on the windward sides. 



The whole archipelago consists of volcanic rocks of a basaltic nature \ with a few 

 remnants of raised sea-beaches composed of consolidated coral sands of a white colour, 

 especially noticeable on Hawaii ; in consequence of this the traveller finds, along with 

 the thin layer of cultivated soil in various parts, large " flows " or stretches of hard 

 bare lava, not uncommonly extending to the shore, though more frequently in evidence 

 at the higher levels. Deep rich soils adapted to the growth of the sugar-cane form 

 some fortieth part of the whole area, and occur chiefly where there is dense forest, or 

 where such has been the case in former times ; while the valleys provide a heavy clay, 

 suitable for the cultivation of rice and taro (Arum esculentum). Coral-reefs environ the 

 islands to a great extent, and narrow strips of coral limestone are to be met with along 

 some parts of the coasts ; the craters of Mauna Loa and Kilauea, in Hawaii, are still 

 the outlets of active volcanoes, and others, such as Haleakala in Maui, or Hualalai in 

 Hawaii, are but recently extinct. 



Taro is the staple food of the natives; but the chief industry is the cultivation 

 of the sugar-cane, which is usually raised on the windward side of the mountains, 

 in spots remarkable for their general humidity, and, at the greater elevations, for 

 their heavy rainfall. On the leeward side this plant can only be grown by the aid 

 of irrigation, for which the water is obtained from the hills or from wells sunk 

 for the purpose. The practice has been greatly extended of late years in Oahu and 

 Kauai. Coffee, the introduction of which has failed in Kauai, has, on the contrary, 

 succeeded in Hawaii, and may be considered to occupy the second place among the 

 exports. Oranges, lemons, limes, pine-apples, bananas, peaches, and other tropical or 

 subtropical fruits are chiefly used for home consumption ; a few cocoanuts are to be 

 found in places ; sweet potatoes are a well-known product ; while cotton, which has 

 never been largely grown, is now wholly abandoned. Many districts lend themselves 

 naturally to the cultivation of rice, that necessity of life to the Chinese and Japanese, 

 of whom there are vast numbers in the archipelago. 



These islands, deeply interesting as they always must be to those engaged in the 

 study of " Geographical Distribution," have unfortunately only been appraised at their 

 true worth from a comparatively recent period. This is the more remarkable since not 

 only does their avifauna contain many forms as extraordinary and highly specialized as 

 are to be found in any quarter of the globe, but, unlike other more isolated and 

 inaccessible regions, their shores have from time to time been visited by travellers who 

 should have served to keep alive the expectation of new discoveries. It must, however, 

 be admitted that the record was for long but a series of disappointments due to 

 neglected opportunities, while the meagreness of the information obtained and the 



1 The assistance afforded to the authors in this connexion by Capt. C. E. Dutton's work on ' Hawaiian 

 Volcanoes' (Washington, 1884) must be gratefully acknowledged. 



