Polynesian., 1853-10-16
Che polpnesian.
A REPORT
On The agricultural Resources, .4nnals and
Prospects of Bonabe, or ascension Island,
By L. H. GULlcK.
A REPORT
{ Continued from No. %. J

Continued from No. o.
To the members of the r. II. Agricultural Society.
ARRowRooT OR MUKAMUK. 1t grows
very sparsely on the main island, but very
abundanty on Ant Island 1t is sometimes
used for food by the natives They have
Learned to prepare it in small quantities for
Ishps
| SAssAFRAs OR MATU. 1t grows in abun-
dance and becomes large tree. 1t is used
by the natives for medicinal purposes. 1t
has been taken away by ships at different
times in considerable quantities.
SAFFRON OR KEJINIoNG. 1t is not plenti-
full, yet there are five varieties. 1. Ougalik,
this is valued most highly, the color of it is
most permanent, and the fragrance Of it is
considered finer than that of any other kind
y. AULoNG is used by the Bonabe beauties
for making their skins lighter colored, which
1t does perhaps in part, by removing the
scarf skin, and also in part BY tinging the
newer skin with its own light yellow. 9.
Ongalup. 3. Suaru. 4. Ongoniek
| GINGER OR ONGoNEPALE. 1t grows wild
on all parts of the island, and probably shows
how finer varieties may be cultivated in the
same localities.
| AIS, is the nut Of large tree of the same
name. 1t is principally valued for the oil or
varnish which it furnishes, and which is used
for painting their canoes. The nut is first
scraped, then baked in native oven. The
fiuId portions are then pressed out and when
the fluid is cooled and separated into an oily
and watery portion, the water is drained
of, and II is again put in an oven. 1t comes
from the oven the second time fully prepared.
lard-lke substance. The process ofpaint-
ing with it, is first TO rub thin layer of
moIstened red clay the canoe and when il
Is dry to apply the ais nearly boiling hot with
a sponge. This is several times repeated
until coat of sufficient thickness is formed
The ais must always be applied hot, and il
will then dry in few minutes. This tree
grows also on Strong's Island and on the
Isle of France, but | cannot learn the name
given II in either of those places.
The kAH, is a tree Of some size, the bark
of which is used for perluming hair "il, and
the use Of it is said to prevent the accumu-
lation Of lice and vermin.
The PAIN DUP, is a vine, the root of which
is pounded and shaken in the water over the
holes where fish are, and they come up dead
|. Cup in Jap, is the best 1t is very scarce
and consequently is valued highly If a
piece of it is borrowed for use, payment is
made with a part Of The fish taken. 2 Dup
eman, is not SO good, and more abundant.
The HAU OF the Sandwich Islands, or
KALAU, is used by the natives Of this island
for almost every purpose. 1T sometimes
grows TO a very great size.
The Orch. is a large tree of the endoge
nous class. Its leaves almost indspen-
sable TO this people for thaiching their houses.
The HALA of the Sandwich Islands, or
KEPA Of Bonabe, is here an abundant but
insig tree. From its leaves, Bonabe
Z" torches" +" or mats made.
The MANGO OR KANGET, grows wild. 1t
is not very rich variety, though, it makes
good pickles aud preserves.
The PRINCIPAL VARIETIES OF TIMBER
TREES In these Ascension island is espe
cially rich Ii has a considerable number
of varieties, and produces them in great
quantities. Koto. l, grows in the salt
water swamps before described, called in
Bonabe naniaks." This tree makes, l am
told, fine spars for vessels. 1t grows strong,
and straight, and when dry is light. 1t
grows abundantly 1t is sufficiently strong
for any class Of spars. Great numbers of
them have at different times been taken from
here to the Hong Kong market. 2. Pulok,
is also a naniak wood. 1t grows in large
trees, aud is fine furniture wood. Mr..
Sturges has pronounced il equal to mahog-
any. 1t is more used for frewood for ships
than the koto. 3. Ak, also grows in the
nanaks 1t constitutes the principal body OF
the naniak wood. There are two varietes( ~
Akapa, whose trunk is completely subdivded
into roots before it reaches the ground
This is the tree principally used for furnish
ing firewood for ships. Its price at tie Rono
Kittie harbor is FIVE pounds of tobacco per
boat load, and delivered on the shore unbalk
ed, when barked, it is six pounds boat load.
(2) Shong 1t is very hard and heavy, axes
are frequently broken in attempting TO cut il.
4. Marap shit, it lgrows where salt and
fresh waters mix; is a large tree; and is pro-
nounced by Mr.. Corgat the best Of all the
native timbers Cor working into ships. s..
Ishau or Timana This wood is well known
in the Pacific 1t is equally elegant. strong
and durable 1t grows most abundantly in
the Warnega tribe. The male is called tut
pap, its roots grow in slabs. The female,
called ishau, is the most elegant for furniture
wood. 6. Shatak. The trunk of this tree as
it approaches the ground is faitened into
several slabs or boards and thus runs to root.
These are used by tie natives as nearly
ready formed boards-some of which have
seen six feet long and four broad. Canoes
are sometimes made Of it, but as the sun
tends to split it, it is not to be preferred. II
makes good lower masts and other spars it
painted and so protected from the sun. But
it is not much employed for this purpose, for
this reason, and also because II is not often
straight enough. II would make good lum-
Der for floors 4 Tong. This tree makes
good spars; is light and stronger than Shatak,