HAWAII. 201 



that ice had formed there the night before. The effects of frost on the 

 foliage was evident, and yet the elevation did not exceed five thousand 

 feet. 



They encamped at night in an open space in the woods, near some 

 shallow pools called the Duck-Ponds, from the quantity of these birds 

 frequenting them. The ground was chiefly covered with tufts of a 

 small Carex. The trees now began to appear gnarled and covered 

 with moss, resembling oaks in habit. The ground had become much 

 drier, and the brushwood was gradually disappearing. 



On the 12th, they started at sunrise, and by eleven o'clock found 

 they had cleared the forest. Their altitude was about six thousand 

 feet. The woods had become for some time previously much scat- 

 tered. They passed also a distinct lava stream, of no great size. 

 The ground was frozen, and the pools of water were covered with a 

 thin ice. 



This upper part of the forest afforded a greater variety of trees, 

 though of smaller dimensions : here they met with the false sandal- 

 wood (Myoporum) ; the koa was, however, still the principal tree. 



To the forest succeed the plains ; but why this region should be so 

 termed, our gentlemen were at a loss to conceive, for there is an 

 ascent, although gradual, towards the base of the higher peaks ; and 

 there are, besides, numerous conical hills, varying in height from two 

 to eight hundred feet : even between these the surface is undulating, 

 and cut up by ravines. 



This district is famous, according to report, for the number of wild 

 cattle found on it, and from that circumstance would be supposed to 

 produce fine pasturage ; but this is far from being the case, for there 

 is nothing but a few scattered tufts of grass, and a species of ranun- 

 culus, which is of so acrid a nature that the cattle will not eat it. 

 The prevailing feature of the country is aridity, and concealed rocks 

 cover a great part of it. Shrubs seem to be almost absent, but the 

 scattered mamanee trees are every where conspicuous. 



It was now evident that their guide had taken them a wrong 

 route, having pursued that leading across the island ; they therefore 

 changed their course, and took a direction to the northwest, crossing 

 the country for an eminence, where Mr. Castle, (the proprietor of the 

 mill,) formerly had a station. When they reached it, they enjoyed a 

 fine view over the distant forest, with the bay of Hilo and the sea 

 beyond: the day being clear, the whole extent was distinctly visible; 

 even a small vessel, which had sailed for Oahu, was seen going out of 

 the bay. 



They chose their encampment just above this eminence, under a 

 vol. iv. 26 



