478 



DISTRIBUTION OF PLANTS. 



widely-separated scoria-hills occurs on the Northwest flank of the 

 mountain. The wind was blowing violently ; and about 6 p.m., we 

 reached the place of our morning's descent; but the sun was down 

 before we arrived at the cave. 



On the 2d, we set out on our return down the mountain : Mr. Brack- 

 enridge and myself proceeding at first Northward; and following the 

 margin of the forest, until we rejoined the direct route, and re-entered 

 the warm region below. 



Character of the Vegetable Growth. The Hawaiian Islands, as 

 will be perceived, contain only two botanical regions. And notwith- 

 standing the great height of the mountains, the congested alpine phase 

 of vegetable growth does not occur upon them. The most character- 

 istic plants of the Mountain-region, are the arborescent Compositae, all 

 of them Dahaniias, the Argijroxiplduins, and the woody-stemmed strap- 

 leaved Geraniums. It is also principally in the Mountain-region, that 

 American and Australian analogies occur, as already intimated. 



The following plants were found growing in the mountain-region 

 OF the Hawaiian Islands ; its regular limit being at the elevation of 

 6700 feet : 



Ranunculus (No. 1); flowers smaller than in R. acris. Aboundino- in the pastoral district 

 on Mauna Kea, as far as the elevation on 10,000 feet; and extending downwards in the 

 bed of a stream nearly through the forest. On Mauna Haleakala, growing at the ele- 

 vation of 8000 feet, but rare. Growing also on the tabular summit of Tauai.* 



-(No. 2); " distinct," according to Mr. Brackenridge ; the flowers smaller, and 



the leaves more entire. In the mountain-defile across West Maui. 



Cardamine (No. 2 ; compare C. sarmentosa, Metia to the Feejee Islands); segments of the 

 leaves broad, petioled. Abounding in the upper portion of the forest on Mauna Kea, 

 but not extending beyond the margin into the pastoral district. 



Viola nov. sp., (No. 2). Normal; like V. palustris, but having rounder, almost reniform 

 leaves ; flowers pale blue. In a distinct bog on the tabular summit of Tauai, at the ele- 

 vation of about 4000 feet. 



Drosera nov. sp., (No. 1) ; near D. longifolia. In a bog on the tabular summit of Tauai, 

 at the elevation about 4000 feet. 



* Brassica oleracea, (bis lower down, Taheiti, Tongatabu, United States, and No. 1 Eu- 

 rope) ; the cabbage. Naturalized around the frequented cave on Mauna Ilaleakala, at 

 the elevation of "8090 feet." 



Oxalis (No. 2 ; 0. eorniculata of some writers) ; leaflets small, bilobed, hairy. North flank 

 of Mauna Kaala, Rich and Brackenridge. And apparently the same species, abun- 

 dantly naturalized in the pastoral district on Mauna Kea as far as the elevation of 8000 

 feet. 



