The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1910-12-29

II yesterday couSlQeFFQ the report u
J. 7. Rock. the territorial botanist, who
has been carrying on a botanical sur
vey' of the entire Hawaiian group IN
der the direction of R. s Hosmer, SUI
perintendent of forestry
| Rock S report is lengthy one. COW
! ering the work of his department for
the entire year, work which resulted
III the discovery of many new plants
| of interest and Of trees supposedly ex-
tinct. The recital of his experiences
| is strictly from the scientific viewpoint
| and he makes little mention of his
personal adventures in search of Ha-
waiian flora, although they were ex-
citing enough This report. in part, is
| as follows:
son February Is [ proceeded accord
| ing to instructions to the Island of Mo
lokai in view of collecting botanical
material as well as investigate the for
age plants on Molokal ranch, especially
| the stock poisoning plants. The writer
spent ten days at Kamoku camp, col
lected along the main ridge, in Kawela
| swamp, Pelekunu Pail and along the
ridge to Wailau, where extensive col
| lections were made comprising all
species and classes of plants found in
that region.
AT Kauluwai the writer spent sew
eral days searching for obnoxious weeds
as well as grasses. He also proceeded
70 the leper settlement and to kala-
| wan where most interesting shore
plants were collected. The trip to the
settlement was made mainly to explore
| the valleys back Of the same, as well
as WaikoIu. which have been explored
very little botanically. Two new species
| were found in the latter.
1.-The western end Of Molokai. which
seemed to offer very little botanically,
was rather a surprise as nearly as much
material as at Pelekunu was collected
in that locality. After having com
| pleted that section Of the island he pro
| ceeded 20 Mapulehu. From there all
| the valleys on the leeward side were
explored as well as another ascent made
to Pelek1nu from Kamalo. \ trip was
made across the Mapulehu Pail near
Pun Wailau into WaiIau Valley proper
on the old native trail, several days
| were spent in the valley and an at
tempt was made to climb Olokui the
| highest peak in that section but on ac-
count of the heavy rains which made
| the crossing of the stream dangerous
and the unwiliingness of natives to ac-
company him. the trip was given up
and the writer returned to Mapulehu
| over the Wailau Pail and from there
| L, H. 40
| swamps back of the Twin falls were
| explored as we'll as the valley itself.
| ''The number of specimens collected
| during the Molokai trip amount to ap-
| proximatelv $1,000 Besides Towering
plants. forage plants and grasses, a
| great number of liehens moses, ferns,
| etc. were collected, which have been
| forwarded to the various specialists in
| Europe for Identification.
| On Hawaii.
| Gin the month of May he proceeded
| to Hawaii. and after arrival went at
| once to Walk, where an investigation
was made of the different pasture
grasses and poisonous plants. Mauna
Kea was assembled three times from
Walk and interesting material secured.
| "Mauna Kea was again assembled
| from Kemole KaluamakanI. and Nau,
| near Homer ranch as the vegetation
| at the higher levels varies consider
ably in the different localities.
| 1.-THE writer then proceeded to 10
| haIa. Mr.. 2. W ?. Bluett. manager
| of Kohala Ditch. assisted greatly; with
| out his aid it would have been impos-
| sible TO make such an extensive. ex-
ploration of the Kohala mountains as
it was the privilege Of the writer.
Mountain Adventure.
1.-The lower ditch was followed up
way into the heart of the mountains
back of HOnokanenui. PoloIu. etc. Twice
the attempt 10 cross the Intervening
| gulcbes from Kohala to Awlnl had to
he postponed on account Of the swollen
streams which made the passing with
pack mules not only dangerous but I'M
n0ssibIe. Finally he reached Awinl and
from there proceeded atoot TO a camp
| several miles up in the woods where
he camped with five men who had car
ried botanical outfit, provisions, etc,
for five days.
From this point the summit of ko
haIa was reached after having cut g
sort of trail through the swamPy
| Jungle. The botanical gain from that
locality was immense. \ number ct
new species were discovered, among
them a violet which covered the gronno
thickIv. and which scented the air witt
its fragrance. 1t grew IN an open fiat
swamp resembling somewhat Lehu@
makanoe Of Kauai, a swamp nance
thus on account of a stuuted ohia whlcl
grows in the swamp. Mauna kea OF
Kohala mountains yielded about Boz.
specimens,
Lanai was also thoroughly explored
| from the summit Lanaihaie t. kua;
the valleys Mauna Lei and Nahohu
the two largest ones, were visited be
sides Mahana and KaihoIena and the
small guIches on the slope Of the maiI
ridge
New Flower.
"a new violet was discovered on tbs
main ridge. and seems to be peculiar
| to Lanai. it is woody. three feet higt
with pink flowers and narrow lance
| o1o+a Iaay-aS Tho y, u tori al pnllpatp Oh ~