474 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



this spot, I could myself make out Hilo harbor, bounded by the pro- 

 longation called Cocoa-nut Point, and containing a speck in the middle, 

 the Vincennes at anchor : but a fog, driving towards the Northeast, 

 soon enveloped our encampment. 



The Fourth day, Mr. Brackenridge, myself, and two of the guides 

 proceeded Northward ; keeping the upper limit of the Edimrdsia trees, 

 or the level of about 9500 feet. For the first three or four miles, the 

 ground continued unchanged in character; the vegetable growth so 

 thinly scattered, that it seemed marvellous, how the herds of cattle 

 spoken of as numerous in former times could have found sustenance; 

 especially, as they are said to avoid the (jen. Epacrid. and lianuncuJas. 

 Several shallow ravines seemed to promise interesting botanical 

 ground, but after a careful search, we found only one additional 

 species. We next reached a rather distinctly-marked valley, wide 

 and shallow, and covered with gravel and intermixed loose earth. 

 Beyond this, a more broken tract, seemed to be selected by the wild 

 cattle as a retreat, affording some security against horsemen. About 

 twenty in all, in four small herds were met with, and in these narrow 

 ravines there was more vegetable growth ; consisting of Pteris in beds, 

 with other plants ; while farther on, were tufted grasses, an Aira 

 being abundant. The country beyond was yet more grassy, with the 

 slopes more even, where scattered Edwardsia trees again made their 

 appearance ; the whole bearing some general resemblance to the basal 

 portion of the Andes in Northern Chili. We were now fairly on the 

 Northern flank of the mountain ; and in descending, took an oblique 

 course Eastward, passing below and along the base of the conspicuous 

 hill. We next entered a thick drizzling mist, and the sun shining 

 thereon, produced a very distinct fog-hmi, already alluded to. After 

 visiting Douglas's pits, we continued downwards to the forest ; and 

 joining the remainder of our party, encamped for the night. 



The following morning, we took leave of the Mountain-region ; 

 and descended through the forest, as already described. 



After my Third visit to the Great Crater, also described, I remained 

 at Hilo until the 15th of February : when, with a party from the Vin- 

 cennes, I sailed in the schooner Kahalaia, commanded by a Hawaiian. 



Upper portion of Mauna Haleakala. The schooner arrived at 

 Lahaina on Maui on the 20th. Our party landed here, and proceeding 

 to East Maui, commenced the ascent of Mauna Haleakala, as already 

 described; entering the Mountain-region on the morning of the 26th. 



