192 



KILAUEA. 



reaching Hilo before noon, and started, leaving the baggage to follow 

 Our route diverged somewhat from the sea-shore, and lay most of the 

 way through a thick wood of pandanus. This tree is one of the most 

 valuable to the natives: almost every part of it is of use, and especially 

 the leaves ; with these they thatch their houses, and make both fine 

 and coarse mats. The women use the fruit, cut into sections and 

 strung, for necklaces : they are of a bright red colour, tinged with 

 orange and yellow, and at a little distance have a pretty effect upon 

 their dark skins. 



The mode of using a knife, for pointing the pandanus and other 

 purposes, amused the sailors very much: it is held in either hand, 

 with the point towards the body, and the article to be cut is drawn 

 over it. 



PANDANUS TREE. 



The growth of the pandanus is peculiar: it forms whirls, generally 

 from left to right, but occasionally one is seen turning in the opposite 

 direction, and it becomes not a little puzzling to determine where they 

 differ, unless the two happen to be seen together. Its mode of provid- 

 ing for its own support by the pendent roots, is an economy of nature 

 that appears astonishing, and almost gives an idea that the tree pos- 

 sesses instinct. Many are to be seen very much inclined, that are in 

 the act of putting forth several of these roots on one side, in order to 

 prop themselves up, while not a single one shows itself on the other; 



