380 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



5. The New Caledonian Island-Region. 



On our way to Australia in the previous year, the Vincennes, as al- 

 ready mentioned, visited Matthews' Rock; situated near the Southern 

 Tropic and the Southeast end of New Caledonia ; and found to be " a 

 mile in circumference," pyramidal, " and eleven hundred and eighty- 

 six feet high." 



Approaching in a boat, with Lieut. Wilkes Henry, the more gently 

 sloping parts of the island were observed to be freshly green and 

 grassy, covered with low herbage ; giving place towards the summit, to 

 two or three clumps of low bushes. The only spot from which these 

 slopes seemed accessible, was encumbered with scattered points of 

 rock projecting through the surf; but in calmer weather, a landing 

 there could probably be effected. Lieut. Henry and Dr. Fox landed 

 in two different places ; on separate portions of a narrow beach com- 

 posed of boulders or very large rounded pebbles ; but under a project- 

 ing ledge, rendering it impossible to procure a single growing plant. 



From the boat, the component rock appeared to be in great part a 

 conglomerate of large and often loosely-aggregated pebbles ; the whole 

 traversed by a dyke broad enough to occupy a third of the island ; 

 the rock of this dyke was compact and dark-colored, being perhaps 

 the 2^orphyritic rock, specimens of which were brought off. Small 

 crystals of Selenite were also brought off: and afterwards from the 

 ship's deck, beds of crystalline suJphur were distinguished with the 

 glass towards the summit of the island; also blue and green stains, 

 probably metallic, in the compact rock. 



There were no traces of coral around this small island ; which is 

 perhaps within the influence of the cool water from beyond the 

 Southern Tropic. 



6. The Hawaiian Island-Region. 



Leaving the Feejee Islands on the 11th of August, 1840, the Vin- 

 cennes sailed North ; keeping at the same time Eastward, as far in 

 general as permitted by the wind. 



The 13th, the sky was overcast, with rain; and in the afternoon, 

 the weather somewhat blowy. 



The 14th, or the following day, was by a special order called 



