120 



SAMOAN GROUP. 



vast system of horizontal branches, spreading like an umbrella over 

 the tops of the other trees. For the sketch of one of these I am in- 

 debted to Mr. Peale. 



OHWA TREE. 



The bread-fruit is the most abundant of all the trees, and grows 

 here to a large size ; the vi-apple, the cocoa-nut, and the wild orange 

 are also found in great numbers ; and at Tutuila a large lime-tree was 

 seen in full bearing, which was said to have been planted before the 

 arrival of the missionaries. 



Among the most singular of the vegetable productions is the stinging 

 tree, of which the natives are much afraid ; for if its leaves be touched 

 an eruption is produced, particularly if the skin be wet. Its leaf is 

 cordate, but quite smooth. 



The arborescent ferns are not as numerous as at Tahiti, but grow to 

 a larger size. The palms give a character of luxuriance to the country, 

 from the variety of their foliage. Rattans ninety feet in length were 

 seen running over the trees. 



Bamboos and the wild sugar-cane were very common ; the latter is 

 used in thatching houses : the wild ginger also abounds. 



Of the wild nutmeg (Myristica,) two species were seen, which are 

 small trees, and likely to be passed without notice, were it not for the 

 peculiar manner in which branches grow out of the trunk, which is 

 in whirls, at regular intervals, like the white pine (Pinus strobus) of 

 our Northern States. 



It was remarked that the character of the vegetation approached 

 more nearly to that of the East Indies than of the Society Islands, and 

 the leafless acacias were the type of those we afterwards saw in New 

 Holland ; but there are some plants which appear peculiar to these 

 islands. 



