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POLYN ESiAN RESEARCHES. 
become solid sterns^ covered with a bark resembling 
that of the original tree^ and forming so many natural 
pillars to the progressively extending branches above. 
By this singular process, the aoa, at Tamapua, appears 
more like a clump or grove than a single tree. The original 
stem was joined by one or two^ of such dimensions, that 
it was not easy to distinguish the parent from the 
offspring, and the fibres that had united with the ground, 
and thus became so many trunks or stems of the tree, 
covered a space many yards in circumference. The 
lateral branches continue to extend, and tendrils of every 
length and size are seen in all directions depending from 
them, appearing as if in time it would cover the face of 
the country with a forest, which yet should be but one 
tree. 
The most remarkable appearance, however, which the 
aoa presents, is when it grows near some of the high 
mountain precipices that often occur in the islands, 
A short distance from Buaoa, where the rocks are ex¬ 
ceedingly steep, and almost perpendicular for a hun¬ 
dred feet, or more, an aoa appears to have been 
planted near the foot of the rocky pile, and the tender 
fibres protruded from the branches being nearer the 
rocks at the side than the ground below, have been 
attracted towards the precipice. From this, fresh nourish¬ 
ment has been derived, the tree has continued to ascend 
and throw out new fibres still higher, till it has reached 
the top. Here a branching tree has flourished, exhibiting 
all the peculiarities of the aoa ; while the root, and that 
part growing along the face of the rock, resembles a 
strong interwoven hedge, extending from the base to the 
summit of the precipice. 
The account of the origin of this tree is one of the 
