KAUAI AND OAHU. 65 



east of Hanapepe. Infanticide is not known, and drunkenness rarely 

 if ever happens. There are no epidemics ; asthma and ophthalmia 

 are the diseases most prevalent: the latter is ascribed to the strong 

 winds which blow constantly, and irritate the eye with the minute 

 particles borne on them. 



There is no western route from Waimea to Halelea ; it is therefore 

 necessary, in getting to Napali, to take a canoe and coast along the 

 shore. As this would not have answered the purpose of our gentle- 

 men's visit, they determined to take the path directly across the 

 island, and were provided with two guides by the kindness of Mr. 

 Whitney. They left his hospitable mansion the next morning, hav- 

 ing noted the standing of the sympiesometer. Shortly after starting 

 they were joined by a native, laden with provisions and cooking 

 utensils, which the kindness of Mr. Whitney had provided, and sent 

 for their use. They at once commenced a very gradual ascent over 

 a barren surface to the half-way house, about twelve miles. At first 

 they found nothing but withered grass, then a few ferns, where goats 

 only could find pasturage, and, a mile or two before reaching the half- 

 way house, some stunted acacias and sandalwood. The route was 

 along the river the whole distance, though in a deep gorge beneath 

 them. All the wood used at Waimea must be brought from this dis- 

 tance. Their guides carried them about a mile beyond the half-way 

 house, to a deserted hut, intending to stop there for the night; but our 

 gentlemen found it so infested with fleas and vermin, that, although it 

 rained, they returned, and passed the night comparatively free from 

 these annoyances. The height of the half-way hut, as given by the 

 sympiesometer, was three thousand four hundred feet. The sea was 

 in sight the whole distance, and the coast was seen as far to the west 

 as Napali. The country thus seen appeared similar to what they had 

 passed over: it was furrowed in places by ravines, but yields no water 

 except when rain falls abundantly upon the mountains. 



At half-past 5 p. m., the thermometer stood at 69°, and the next 

 morning at half-past six at 72°. 



After sending the native back to Waimea who brought the comforts 

 which Mr. Whitney's kindness had provided them with, they began 

 their journey across the island, and entered into a very luxuriant 

 and interesting botanical region, passing through several glades, 

 which appeared well adapted for the cultivation of wheat and Irish 

 potatoes (which have never been tried here). Large tracts were free 

 from wood and level, on which was growing a sort of wild cabbage 

 in great abundance. Wild hogs were evidently numerous, for many 

 were started in the bush, and their rooting was to be seen along the 



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VOL. IV. 9 



