552 JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



NOTE ON THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 

 By the Rev. Canon Weymouth, of Honolulu. 



At the present day the trees and plants peculiar to the Hawaiian Islands 

 are found only in the interior forests. But in all the large towns may be 

 seen fine specimens of the Bread-fruit tree, with its large, dark green leaves, 

 pinnately lobed and affording dense shade, which is most desirable in a 

 tropical land. Its green globular fruit, when properly cooked, is really 

 delicious ; but few people know the best method of preparing it for table. 



There are about 140 native ferns in the Islands, few of which are 

 ever seen in the populous districts. Many of the varieties are exceedingly 

 beautiful. In the forests some of the tree ferns are at least ten inches 

 in diameter and 16 to 20 feet in height. The Bird's-nest Fern has fronds 

 4 or 5 feet long, and 6 or 7 inches wide. 



There are palms of several varieties, the most attractive being the 

 Royal Palm, its erect stem being always smooth and graceful. At 

 Lahaina, the well-known Cocoanut Palm, with its crooked trunk, splendid 

 fronds and delicious fruit, sometimes reaches a height of 100 feet. Its 

 waving plumes are a picturesque feature in the landscape. 



The palmately lobed leaves of the Papaya tree are 16 to 18 inches 

 wide, on petioles 2 feet in length. The male tree bears spicy white 

 blossoms, and the female produces a melon-like fruit 4 or 5 inches in 

 diameter. The purple passion flowers of the Grenadilla are very beauti- 

 ful, and its large pale green fruit has an agreeable flavour, reminding one 

 of the Catawba grape. Another species of the passion flower bears a 

 fruit which is commonly known as the sweet water lemon. The Monkey- 

 pod tree, belonging to the Acacia group, bears a profusion of magnificent 

 purple blossoms ; its leaves are closely folded together at night. 



The Ironwood tree, found in most of the tropical Pacific Islands, has 

 singular foliage resembling the Pines, and a fruit similar to that of the 

 Juniper. The South Sea Islanders formerly used its hard black wood 

 to manufacture their war clubs and forks for cannibal orgies. The 

 Eugenia malaccensis, or mountain apple, has large green, oval, lustrous 

 leaves, scarlet blossoms, and a deep red fruit. The Aleuritcs moluccana, 

 or Kukui tree, is noted for its silvery foliage and oily nuts as large 

 as the English walnut. The natives formerly strung the kernels on 

 bamboo splints and used them as torches. Black polished ornaments 

 are made from the shells. 



Bananas, of several varieties, are found everywhere in these Islands, 

 and large quantities of the fruit are shipped to California. Mr. A. B. 

 Lyons calls attention to a similar tree, sometimes known as the Bony 

 Banana. In the sunshine its tough fruit "splits into three valves, which 

 separate and re-curve, revealing one of Nature's marvels. Each valve is 



