HAWAII. 



213 



basaltic formation add much to this effect, and might almost lead 

 one to fancy the basin had been built by fairy hands, to enchant the 

 visiter. 



7TAI-LU-ZU FALL.? 



The missionaries often make visits to this beautiful spot in the 

 evening, and one of the first places of interest that they point out to a 

 stranger are these falls. The basin into which they fall is also a 

 favourite resort of the natives for bathing. 



The tacca, from which the arrow-root is made, is not cultivated ; 

 although it grows wild all over the island. It is gathered and pre- 

 pared by the natives ; but they are not sufficiently careful when they 

 dig up the large roots, to replace the smaller tubers in the ground. 

 From this neglect, the plant is on the decrease. I was told that 

 attempts were making to cultivate it: it grows well in the upland 

 regions, in the poor soil, covered with fragments of lava, which is un- 

 suited for any other culture. 



Their mode of preparing the tacca for use is simply by first washing, 



