It is a large apartment, roofed, floored, open on three sides, with a door or a draped archway opening into the drawing-room.

Frequently the roof is formed by the thick interlacing boughs of the hou tree, impervious to the sun and even to the rain, except in violent storms.

Vines are trained about the sides--the stephanotis or some one of the countless fragrant and blossoming trailers which abound in the islands.

There are also curtains of matting that may be drawn to exclude the sun or rain.

The floor is bare for coolness, or partially covered with rugs, and the lanai is prettily furnished with comfortable chairs, sofas, and tables loaded with flowers, or wonderful ferns in pots.
"The lanai is the favorite reception room, and here at any social function the musical program is given and cakes and ices are served; here morning callers are received, or gay riding parties, the ladies in pretty divided skirts, worn for convenience in riding astride, -- the universal mode adopted by Europeans and Americans, as well as by the natives.
"The comfort and luxury of such an apartment, especially at a seashore villa, can hardly be imagined.