Polynesian., 1845-02-15

~ NV uhu
some were of gigantic growth. The kukui
was larger than | had ever observed before.
Mingled together were the large koa, grit
ing from 10 to 90 feet; the stately ohia, with
its beautiful, bright blossoms; the scarcely
less attractive ko, with its graceful leaf and
delicate flower, and occasionally a species
of the artocarpus, and the slim but over
towering cocoa-nut. At times we came
upon groups that were so thickly covered
with vines, aud so overspread about their
roots with the wild musa, the ii, and ferns
of all sizes, from the little species that finds
its home upon the trunk and branch, to
those whose plume-like leaves tower IA
tathom or more above the travellers head,
that it was next to impossible to penetrate
their recesses. Moses here also grow in
profusion, forming a soft carpet for the feet,
and pendant from the branches, giving the
trees an air Of antiquity. Indeed, nature
must have revealed in undisturbed security
for many generations, to have produced so
prolific a growth. Life and death, decay
and regeneration, were going rapidly on.
Venerable trees were lettering to their fall,
and only supported by the profusion of
younger growth about them. Younger trees
were pushing their way ambitiously through
the canopy of leaves and branches of older
companions, which scarcely allowed the
clear light of heaven to penetrate beneath
them. Parasitic vines were clinging to
them with tenacious grasp, determined to
rise with or make them share their more
lowly lot. The ground was rich with the
vegetable decay of centuries. Not unfre-
quently an old trunk, scared and stripped of
its foliage, still lifted its head far above its
living neighbors, conquering even in death.
Paroquets were fitting about, screaming
discordantly, but not loud enough to drown
the notes of a little musical dark-feathered
bird. Its whistle was delightfully."- clear and
sweet. The silence Of the numerous other
birds contrasted inharmoniously with the
beauty of the scene. 1t was a place and
season when all nature was called on to re-
%joice, and their l~istlcss, silent hopping from
stem to stem, reminded one more of the
tenants of a prison-house than the free car
oilers of air. Bryant's descriptive lines,
commencing
"Strangcr, if thou hast learnt a truth, which needs
Experience more than reason, that the world
Is full of guilt and misery; and hast known
Enough of all its sorrows, crimes and cares,
To tire thee of it,-entcr this wood
came into my mind, and | found myself in
voluntarily repeating them. Even the ka-
nakas got up a little enthusiasm, and %eiacu-
lated more than once, "he ~ululaau maikai."
But the scene from its very richness pail
ed upon the mind and we soon had enough
work to pick our way through the tangled
vegetation. On emerging from a piece
which had given us no little trouble, we
came suddenly upon a flock Of large birds
that were feeding about a dozen rods in adj
vance. They no sooner saw US than they
whizzed away into the bushes, giving US
Just time to ascertain they were turkies.
regretted that l had left my fowling piece
behind. In good truth it was with reason
that the regret was made for we had not
advanced a mile beyond the spot, when we
were startled by an ominous rustling and
subdued g%runting sound. The natives stop
ned and beckoned ne to do the same. The
sounds increased, and W. remained in our
ouiet position about three minutes, when an
enormous wild boar came in view roofing
oIopo Le;surelv. Upon lifting his head he