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^QF-CAllFOflto,
A YEAK IN FIJI,
AN INQUIRY INTO THE BOTANICAL, AGRICUL
TURAL, AND ECONOMICAL RESOURCES
OF THE COLONY.
BY
JOHN HORNE, F.L.S., &c,
DIRECTOR OF WOODS AND FORESTS AND BOTANICAL GARDENS, MAURITIUS.
PUBLISHED AT THE REQUEST OF
THE HON. SIR A. H. GORDON, G.C.M.G.,
GOVERNOR OF FIJI, &c.
LONDON:
PRINTED BY GEORGE E. EYRE AND WILLIAM SPOTTISWOODE,
PRINTERS TO THE QUEEN'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.
FOR HER MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE.
AND PUBLISHED BY
EDWARD STANFORD, 55, CHARING CROSS, LONDON,
AND
GEORGE ROBERTSON, MELBOURNE and SYDNEY.
1881.
D La
DO
jfi^S. — —
*r r\TSy
CHAPTER I.
Description of Tour throughout the different Islands of the Group,
&c.— pp. 1-57.
CHAPTER II.
Flora, its peculiarities, &c. Number of Indigenous Species.—-
pp. 58-73.
CHAPTER III.
Fijian Food Plants. Method of Cultivation. European and Native
Vegetables, &c.— pp. 74-92.
CHAPTER IV.
Fruit, kinds of, indigenous to Fiji ; and Exotic ; might be exten-
sively grown for Exportation. — pp. 93-102.
CHAPTER V.
Native Ornamental Plants. Starch, Spices, Materials for Clothing,
Mats Fans, Cordage, &c— pp. 102-111.
CHAPTER VI.
Indigenous Timber trees. Native Houses, Minor Forest Produce,
as Thatch Reeds, &c.— pp. 112-126.
CHAPTER VII.
Conservancy of Forests. Destruction by Fires. Re-Foresting and
Preservation of "Water Supply. — pp. 127-137.
CHAPTER VIII.
Botanic Garden. Industrial School. Museum. Meteorology. —
pp. 138-1-18.
CHAPTER IX.
Number of Islands in the Group. Area of Land. Reefs. Rivers.
Navigation. Watersheds. Mountains. Lakes. Taviuni. Rabi.
Lonia Loma. Koro. Ovalau. Levuka. — pp. 119-162.
CHAPTER X.
Hot Springs. Rocks. Minerals. Soil, &c— pp. 163-170.
CHAPTER XI.
Agricultural Products. Copra. Coir Fibre. Cotton. Sugar.
Tobacco. Cacoa or Chocolate. Tea. Vanilla. Coffee. Cinchona
Bark. Rice, &c.— pp. 171-184.
Q 2019. Wt. P 456.
835332
CHAPTER XII,
Labourers. Markets for Produce. Laud Titles. Kinds of Native
Produce, &c. — pp. 185-191.
CHAPTER XIII.
Stock. Piss. Fowls. Fauna of Fiji. — pp. 192-194.
APPENDIX I.
Report on the Caoutchouc-yielding Plants of Fiji. — pp. 195-202.
APPENDIX II.
Report on Sandalwood Preservation, and extension by Cultivation,
t V C .— pp. 203-212.
APPENDIX III.
Propositions regarding a Forest Ordinance for Fiji. — pp. 213-235.
APPENDIX IV.
Letter to the lion, the Colonial Secretary, Fiji, and Rules
suggested to regulate the Felling of' Timber Trees in Forest Reserves.
—pp. 236-246.
APPENDIX V.
Meteorological statements. — pp. 247-2.35.
APPENDIX VI.
List of Flowering Plants and Ferns indigenous to Fiji. — pp. 256-286.
Note.
In pronouncing and spelling Fijian words the following rules are
observed, viz. : —
/>'. Ii, pronounced Mb, a- Bau, Mbau ', Bua, Mbua.
(', c, pronounced th t as Cibicibi, Thimbithimbi ; ca (bad) Tha.
/>, d, pronounced Nd, a- Druadrua, Ndiiiandrua ; Kadavu
Kandavu.
. ng in sing or rang as Turaga, Turanga; vuga, vunga.
Q> 9i '"J-'J" or nka ; as YYaga (canoe) Wangga or Wanka.
PREFACE.
In 1877, I accepted an invitation from Sir Arthur
Gordon to visit the Islands of Fiji, of which he was
then Governor ; and availing myself of the privilege
of leave of absence granted to Civil Servants, I left, en
route for England, via New South "Wales, Fiji, and
San Francisco, after a resident service in Mauritius of
16 years.
Sugar being the staple product of that Island, the
introduction of new varieties of sugar-cane and their
culture had received my special attention for a number
of years ; and, on leaving, the Chamber of Agriculture,
with the sanction of Government, commissioned me
to select and forward whatever new and suitable
specimens of canes I could find in the different
islands lying on my route.
I spent a year in Fiji, and my notes of travel during
that period are given in the following pages.
JOHN HORNE,
Director of the Botanic Gardens, and of
"Woods and Forests, Mauritius.
November 4th, 1880.
Q 2019.
CHAPTER I.
Description of Tour throughout the different
Islands in the Group, &c.
My route through the Fiji islands is traced in red
on the annexed map, and I now propose giving a
description of it and of the country through which I
passed.
Before starting, His Excellency the Governor of
Fiji, the Honourable Sir A. H. Gordon, C.B.,
G.C.M.G., furnished me with a circular letter of
introduction written in Fijian to all the chiefs, in-
forming them who I was, the object and nature of my
visit, and requesting them to give me all the assistance
in their power in providing me with carriers, guides,
&c. This they most cheerfully and Avillingly attended
to, and I found no difficulty in moving about. In
each village some one, generally the schoolmaster,
" teacher " or native clergyman, was found who could
read and explain the letter to the people, who were at
all times attentive listeners. This was a surprise to
me ; but I found in the course of my journeys, that
many of the grown-up people had been taught by the
Wesleyan missionaries ; that a church and a school, —
the latter of which in small villages was a place of
worship as well on Sundays as on other special
occasions, — were established in every native town —
(Koro). These were well attended, as most of the
rising generation could read, write, and cipher to
some extent. In most native houses worship was
A 2
4
conducted night and morning, showing that the mis-
sionaries had nobly done the work of Him who sent
them. The teachers were supported by the voluntary
contributions of the people. I had with me an intelli-
gent half-caste boy (Rae Spowart), about 15 years old,
to act as interpreter. I took with me a mosquito net,
rug, mats for sleeping upon, sugar, tea, coffee, bis-
cuits and bundles of paper for drying plants, all
enveloped in waterproof coverings ; and, thus equipped,
I traversed the country with my native guides and
carriers.
The first journey was to Lavoni, in the centre of the
island of Ovalau, over rugged and steep paths. On
the way through the forest a good collection of plants
was made. The soil was seen to be rich and fertile,
and the rocks volcanic breccia or agglomerate. The
Lavoni valley, — in which I spent a week, travers-
ing it in all directions, making fine collections of its
flora — seen from an eminence is not the least beau-
tiful of the many pretty places in Viti. Its extent
is about 7 square miles. It is well watered, and the
soil is rich and suitable for sugar cane and coffee
cultivation. My route was down the valley to Bureta
by a native track, which took me repeatedly across a
considerable stream, and sometimes compelled me to
wade in water up to my knees. The soil, consisting
of alluvial deposits, was rich and fertile, and densely
covered with the wild sugar cane (vico), reeds, &c.
At Bureta I went to the native church and heard a
sermon from a Fijian, lie preached extempore from
a IVw notes, was earnest if not eloquent, and seemed
neither to warn 1 ideas nor words in which to express
them Oh Sundays such preachers maybe heard in
ry tillage from one end of Fiji to the other. At
Bureta there is a considerable tract of fine flat land
well adapted for sugar cane cultivation. From Bureta
I crossed to Moturiki, a small island with an area of
8 square miles of fine land, which is well suited for the
growth of cocoa-nuts. Prom Moturiki I visited Viti
Levu and entered the Tlewa river by its eastern mouth,
and went up to na Koro Vatu, about 65 or 70 miles
from the sea. I was everywhere delightfully sur-
prised with the fertility of the land, the size of the
river, the fine scenery, and the luxuriance of the
cultivated sugar canes, which, to a small but increasing
extent, are grown by a few settlers on the alluvial
flats bordering the river. All the kinds of sugar canes,
their healthiness, their capability of resisting drought,
and of "ratooning" after cutting, as well as the
quantity of sugar and weight of cane per acre which
each kind yielded, were subjects of earnest inquiry ;
as on the eve of my departure from Mauritius for the
South Seas, I was instructed by the Government of
that colony, at the request of the planters, to collect
and despatch thither all the different varieties I
could obtain, together with useful information re-
specting the peculiarities of each kind. In Fiji alone
I obtained over twenty different kinds, samples of
which were sent to Mauritius in 16 wardian cases.
On the banks of the Hewa and its affluent streams,
including the deltas formed by its several mouths,
there are about 400 square miles of land unrivalled in
quality, and especially well adapted for growing cane.
Most of this land has deep water frontage. A large
proportion of it belongs to settlers, some of whom
cultivate sugar canes, and others do not because they
cannot get their canes crushed, the sugar mills being
either insufficient or at too great a distance. T also
saw on the Rewa two thriving cotton plantations,
each about 200 acres in extent, belonging to the
natives. They were in good condition, well laid out,
cleanly kept, and the plants had a healthy appear-
ance. The centre road through one of them was
bordered with banana trees for shade ; and these trees
were also grown to mark off the plantation into
squares or plots, each of which belonged to a different
township. At the junction of the Wai ni Mala and
the Wai ni Buka, about 60 miles from the sea, I saw
a plantation of tapioca or cassava (jatrqpha manihof)
and arrowroot, and a few acres of a young flourish-
ing coffee plantation. I noticed during my journey that
all the rocks on the banks of the river were of the
sedimentary formation.
On my way back to Levuka I visited the Wesleyan
Training School at Navaloa, which is attended by
advanced scholars from all part of Fiji, either for the
purpose of being educated as teachers or for the
native ministry.* It is also attended by the sons
of the chiefs for the purpose of obtaining a higher
education than the village schools can supply. The
establishment is under the superintendence of a
master who is a European.
On returning to Levuka I went by sea to Tai Levu,
a large district on the east coast of VitiLevu. We
were becalmed for some time at the " back (N.W. side)
of Ovalau," and, on landing, slept at the house of a
settler u ho i^ rearing a fine herd of cattle there. The
quality of his land was good and capable of growing
sugar canes; bui here again the want of a mill and the
want of means to purchase one were hinderances in the
way of cultivation. These wants indeed are common
* Vide page 140.
to all parts of the group, even in places where extensive
areas of cane land exist. We left this settlement in
the morning, and in the afternoon reached our destina-
tion, proceeding up a deep but narrow creek shaded
by tiri (mangrove) trees, whose overhanging
branches had been cut to allow the tall mast of the
boat to pass. At this part, and on the banks of the
Wai Delici (pron. Wai Ndelithi) the land is amazingly
fertile, and formerly produced good crops of cotton.
Near the river there are extensive alluvial flats, but
the general character of this part of the country is
steeply sloping and gently undulating low hills and
valleys. This land had been cultivated by the Pijians,
but now, being either not required by them to grow
" food " upon, or more likely, owing to their method
of cultivation, it has become densely covered with wild
sugar canes, reeds, grass, and such hardy kinds of
trees and shrubs as can best resist the fires which
periodically burn up the dry herbage. An opinion
prevails among the settlers, that sugar canes will not
grow on the low hills so common in this and other
parts of Fiji. "What I saw here, on the Hewa and at
many other places in the group shows that opinion to
be an erroneous one. Here the canes were growing
and in good healthy condition on the sides and tops of
the low hills where cotton wsuld not thrive. How-
ever, in these places their growth is less rapid
and the canes a little smaller than on the fat alluvium
on the banks of the rivers. Still they do grow well
and prove remunerative. Of course such land will
not be much in demand for cane cultivation until all
the rich bottom lands are fully occupied.
In this locality I visited another cotton plantation
owned by natives. Like those already mentioned it was
8
in good order. When on the Rewamy attention was
called to the unhealthy condition of some cocoa-nut
trees, and here I noticed the injury was caused by an
insect eating the under side of the leaves, which then
become covered with brown spots and wither and decay
(if the ravage shave been extensive) frequently before
being fully expanded. From the leaves being thus
injured or destroyed, the trees are unable to bear fruit,
and some! imes are entirely killed. In addition to about
30 square miles of good cane land, there is also in this
locality a large area well adapted for the growth of
the cacoa (chocolate) and Liberian coffee trees, both
of which delight in a moist warm climate and thrive
at a low elevation above the sea.
I next went to Rabi (Rainbi), an island which lies off
the north-east point of Vanua Levu and between it and
the northern end of Taviuna. It contains an area of
about 28 square miles. The soil is rich and fertile. The
island is well wooded and well watered, and the prevail-
ing rock is agglomerate ; but both aqueous and basaltic
rocks were frequently seen. It is also mountainous,
and some of the valleys are of great picturesque beauty.
Cocoa-nuts are extensively grown for copra, which is
here dried by artificial means, viz., by heated air.
Coir fibre is extracted from the husk of the cocoa-nuts
by steam machinery. The cocoa-nut plantations have
been carried up to a considerable elevation on the hill
Bides, on which they are healthy and thriving. An
idea is entertained by many of the settlers that the
( ocoa-nul tree will not thrive on the sides and tops of
the hills near the sea and within the full influence of its
breezes. This notion is wrong, and disproved by what
any visitor cannot help seeing, — thousands of cocoa-
nut trees growing not only on the sides of the steep
9
hills, but even on the tops of the ridges. In these
places the growth of the tree is slower and the produce
a little less than on the rich low-lying land on the
shore. There are about 6 square miles of good cane
land on Rabi, and a large portion of the island is suit-
able for both Liberian and common coffee, leaving
a wide margin round its shores for cocoa-nuts, and a
large space on the tops of the mountains for timber to
attract moisture. Prom the position of this island the
majority of the plants growing upon it are also common
to the adjacent portions of the two large islands near
it. As every facility for collecting and drying plants
was put at my disposal by the kind proprietor, I
thoroughly explored the island, a large portion of
which is still covered with primeval forest. Here I
made collections of over 300 species of flowering plants
and ferns. These I left at Rabi during a six weeks'
tour in the northern parts of Yanua Levu. This
enabled me to go quickly over a portion of that large
island, as I had gathered on Rabi a great number of
the plants which grow on the parts of Vanua Levu lying
nearest to it. I also thus saved the transport on men's
shoulders of bulky packages for upwards of 200 miles,
as well as avoided delays in collecting, en ?*oute, the
daily shifting of numerous specimens and the drying
of the paper from which these specimens had been
removed. Besides, by acting as above, I did not
bring from a t distance specimens of plants which
I could obtain at what, for a time, was my head
quarters.
Prom Rabi I crossed to Koro-i-vono, a native town
on the eastern side of Vanua Levu. At this place
there is a considerable area of good cane land, and
plenty of space on the beach for extending cocoa-nut
10
plantations. Here a deep stream enters the sea, up
which boats drawing 6 feet of water may proceed at
h tide. From this I decided to travel to Savu-savu
by Natawa bay. The path, a well-kept one for a
short distance, led up the coast for about 4 miles
through proves of cocoa-nut. bread fruit, and other
t r< 'os ; it then, as a mere track, broke off to the left
through the forests, ascended the mountains along the
beds of streams, over rocks, down the sides of preci-
pices to the district of Togaloa, on the south-east
shore of Xatawa bay. In passing through the forests
which densely cover the mountains lying between
Koro-i-vono and Xatawa bay, many fine specimens of
the dakua, the Fijian kauri pine, dakua — salu — salu,
and other kinds of good timber trees were seen for
the first time, and several kinds of ferns were added to
my collection. The dakua formerly abounded at Koro-
i-vono. — Seemann mentioning that some large ones
existed there in 1860-61 ; — but European sawyers
have played sad havoc among them, and large trees
were only found in the more inaccessible parts of
the mountains.
At Togaloa I learnt that all the Bulis or district
el lief s in the province of Cakaudrove had gone to
Somo-somo, in the island of Taviuni, to attend the
provincial council, which the Hoko Tui, or supreme
chief of the province holds twice in the year. The
Fijians have (and Ik 'fore the islands were ceded to
Great Britain had) an elaborate system of polity by
which all tribal ami provincial matters are discussed
and regulated. As I could not get carriers from one
district to another without coming, in some degree,
in contacl with this system, an outline of it may be
interesting.
11
The starting point in this system is the village or
" Koro." Over every village there is a local chief
called the Turaga ni Koro. Over one or many vil-
lages, or perhaps over a district, there is a Buli ; and
over these is the chief j of the province, or Roko Tui.
The Governor, as Her Majesty's representative, is the
supreme chief of all. These native functionaries,
although the office which they hold is hereditary, i.e.,
belongs to certain families, are elected to office by the
district council, of which more anon. The village
chief is assisted by a council of elders, which meets
once a week, and executive officers, magistrate
(Turaga ni lawa), policemen, town-crier, inspectors of
gardens, &c, are appointed to carry out its decisions.
These act on behalf of the community as guardians
of the peace, see that villages are kept clean, that
fences are not broken clown, that animals are not
destroying the gardens, and as messengers, guides,
&c. The affairs of the district are regulated by the
district council (Bose ni Tikini), which consists of the
Buli and all the village chiefs of the district. This
council, which meets once a month, nominates all the
village chief s— whoniit may suspend if not dismiss from
office ; discusses and regulates all local matters, such
as the opening of new roads and the repairing of those
already made, making and repairing bridges, — allotting
at the same time the portion of the work which each
village has to do ; keeping bathing places in decent
order, cleaning villages and superintending the pay-
ments of the village officers out of the local rates. The
Bulis of a province must meet twice a year in council
(Bose vaka Tasana), and discuss the affairs of the
province with the Roko Tui. These (there are 12 of
them) with two Bulis chosen from each province, and
12
the native stipendiary magistrates meet once a year in
the great council (Bose vaka Turaga), and discuss the
" Dative affairs of the nation." At this meeting each
Eok<> grives a detailed report of the province of which
he has charge. These reports are severely criticised
by the other chiefs, and suggestions are offered as
to such executive and legislative measures as the
assembly would like to see adopted hy the Govern-
ment. The resolutions of the great council are mere
recommendations which the Government of the colony
is free to accept or reject.
On arriving at a village I was conducted to the
Bure ni Sa, or strangers' house, one of which is to he
found in every village, or to the house of the chief.
The Governor's letter was read, and the Turaga ni
Koro in council appointed the guide and the men who
were to he the carriers to the next town or district,
and without such not a man would lift a pack-
age. The state of the native roads, the order and
cleanliness of a town were soon seen to he sure
indications as to the character of a Turaga ni Koro.
Whatever might he the decisions of the village
council, it was his particular duty to have them
carried out.
koro ni Saca was the next halting place, where I
slaved two days, making excursions into the forests,
collecting plants and examining the country. At
this town a large stream enters the sea, and
boats drawing 8 feet of water can go up for 3 or
1 miles into the interior. In the locality there are
aboul <') square miles of land suitable for growing
Bugar cane, lying on the hanks of the river and on
the sides of low hills. The mountains are well
wooded with valuable kinds of timber trees. The soil
13
is suitable for growing coffee. The road from Togaloa,
a well-made and well-kept path, runs along the
beach, shaded by fine ivi 3 dilo, and viitu trees, through
several villages which nestle among groves of cocoa-nut
and bread-fruit trees. Numerous clear streams are
crossed, and native plantations of cotton, yams, and
masi, or native bark-cloth trees, are seen. Some of these
plantations are in good order, but the condition of
others leaves much to be desired. On the beach and
on the low hills cocoa-nut trees could be largely
planted. At present, in these places there is little but
useless scrub, tall grass, reeds, &c. In the vicinity of
Natawa village, there are several settlers, and about
3 square miles of what appeared to be good cane
land. Between Koro ni Saca and Viene the hills
end abruptly on the shore, forming in many places
cliffs of agglomerate and basaltic rocks, which extend
quite into the sea. The path between the towns was
stony and hilly, but the land was fit for growing
cocoa-nuts, occasional groves of which in hollows
were passed. I intended to spend the night at Viene,
but on arriving I found the people were about to send
a canoe to Vuni Sawani, a village at the head of
Natawa bay, and about 7 miles further on the
journey to Savu-savu. On learning that the path
leading to that town was a bad one, I gladly accepted
the offer of a passage in the canoe.
Viene is situated on the side of a point of land which
projects into the bay. A small but high lying island
lies at a short distance from the mainland, f i'om which
it is separated by a channel that is sometimes dry at low
water. The land in the vicinity of the village is well
adapted for growing sugar canes, of which I saw a
native plantation of about 10 acres to supply thatch,
14
and canes for eating. The Fijians are very fond of
the sugar cane, and never seem tired of eating it —
sucking its sweet juice and throwing the pith away.
When going from place to place, they frequently
carry large quantities of it to use on the way, in
order to beguile the tedium of the journey, and to
give as a present to friends and acquaintances. For
such purposes it is largely used on festive occasions,
and the quantity of cane which a Fijian will con-
sume in an idle hour, or while listening to a story,
astonished me.
The canoe was soon got under weigh ; the large tri-
angular shaped sail was hoisted, and the breeze being
favourable and not much sea, the 7 miles were run
over in about 40 minutes. On the way I noticed
several settlers' houses, native villages, small groves of
cocoa-nut trees, and land cleared for young plantations
at various places along the shore. At this part of
the island the land is narrow. It is in reality an
isthmus, only about 3 miles broad from Natawa
bay to the main ocean on the south-western side of
Vanua Levu. The character of the country is hilly.
The low hills are densely covered with long grass and
occasional patches of forest, but the soil is good, and
cocoa-nuts could be more extensively planted there
than they are. Some of the sheltered valleys are
also suitable for coffee, the Libcrian species would
-i likely answer best, and in a few places good
»ar cane could be grown.
Vuui Bawani is a low lying place not more than
_ eel above high water. The village is built upon
land, which had recently been a tiri, or mangrove
swamp; a place where one might fairly expect to find
malarial lever prevalent, did such exist at all in Fiji.
15
Numerous villages on the coasts in all parts of Eijiare
built in similar situations. It is not too cleanly kept,
and the pigs roam at will through it, — the inhabitants
putting up low fences in front of their doors to keep
these animals out of their dwelling-houses. With the
exception of the village constable and the garden in-
spector, or guardian, all the men belonging to the
village were at Wai Levu, helping the Buli to make
taro patches, and were not to return for a few days.
However, the women, to show that their town should
not be wanting in the accustomed hospitality to
strangers, volunteered, in the absence of the men, to
carry my packages to the next town, a distance of 2
or 3 miles towards the interior, where I could get
men to carry them on to Savu-savu.
At Vuni Sawani there are about 7 square miles of
superior cane land consisting of alluvial flats and low
hills, and sufficient space for enlarging the cocoa-nut
plantations, which in this locality are not so extensive
as they might be. The inhabitants of this village have
extensive taro patches, which they cultivate with great
skill and care. The soil of the locality, — a brown
heavy loam, appears to favour the growth of that plant,
and the beds, "patches," of it which I saw were in fine
condition, equal if not superior to any that I saw in any
other islands of the Pacific ocean. A canal averaging
2^ feet in breadth, and 3^ feet in depth, and more
than 2 miles long, conveys the water to these patches
from a neighbouring stream. I started with a guide
early in the morning, and after walking leisurely for
about 3 hours, was overtaken by the women and
boys with the packages just as I was about to enter
the next town. I paid them and gave each a present
of tobacco (for all the Fijian women smoke), for which
they were thankful.
16
It being mid- day when I arrived at the village,
and finding all the men were at work making a
new road, I left my packages to be sent after me
the next morning, and then, with a guide, pushed
on to Savu-savu, where I arrived at 4 p.m. The
distance from Savu-savu bay to Vuni Sawani is said
to be only 7 miles ; but by the zigzag way I was taken
by the guide from village to village, it was not less
than 16 miles. This is vaka vitl, i.e., Fiji custom or
fashion. Some fine views of the country were obtained,
and several fertile valleys were passed where coffee,
cacoa, &c, could be grown. About 1 square miles of
fine cane land, consisting of flats and low hills, were
observed, — notably in the vicinity of Savu-savu bay,
though separated from it by a ridge of low hills. The
general character of the country is hilly, steep, and
undulating ; but the quality of the soil is fair and
good, and water abounds in all the valleys, Most of
the land had been cultivated, and afterwards aban-
doned, in accordance with the custom of the people,
and allowed to become overgrown with rank grass and
scrub. The latter appeared to be prevented from
growing and spreading by the fires which annually
burn the grass. The rocks were sedimentary, agglo-
merate, and some columnar basalt was noticed. From
experience now gained in travelling in Fiji, in order
to avoid delay and annoyance, I henceforth endea-
voured to engage the carriers to the village which was
to be the end of my journey for the day, as on arriving
at a village, situated about half way, the men were
absent ; engaged in their plantations or elsewhere,
which naturally enough they did not like to leave,
ana the men who came with me just as reasonably
objected to carry farther than they had agreed to,
even when the oiler of double pay was made to them.
17
They would, however , have cheerfully gone beyond
the half-way village had they before starting under-
stood, they were required to do so.
At Savu-savu there are extensive boiling springs,
which phenomenon, at another place, will be more parti-
cularly alluded to. The scenery at this place is beauti-
ful and grand, — lofty hills, cloud-capped mountains
densely covered with trees, deep dark looking valleys,
contracting almost into gorges, — low grass-covered hills
which in some places advance and present precipitous
terminations to the sea whilst in others they retreat
from it, leaving flat beaches between their base and the
shore, — groves of cocoa nut, bread fruit, ivi, clllo, vesi,
and other trees, all surround a bay which is 12 miles
broad at the bottom, 5 at the head, and from 6 to 7 miles
deep. In the bay there is a small island 150 feet
in height, on the top of which stands a house. This bay
is one of the iinest and largest natural harbours in Fiji ;
it has deep water close to the shore, is easy of access,
whilst the reefs prevent the swell of the ocean from
entering it. Several large streams run into Savu-
savu bay, which are navigable for large boats of
light draught for some distance.
It is a favourable place for a township ; and,
although it has been decided to build the capital of
Eijiat Suva in Viti Leva, a large town, from a variety
of circumstances, will in all probability be built upon
the shores of Savu-savu bay. The two highest parts
of the small island in the bay are united at the base
by a mangrove swamp, in the centre of which there is
a deep pool, probably the crater of an extinct volcano,
into which there is a channel for boats. The pool, I
have been told on good authority, would make an
excellent dry dock, as it only requires the mud to be
Q2019. B
18
dredged out to enable it to receive large vessels.
Several of the settlers in this vicinity have herds of
fine cattle. Cocoa-nut plantations could be largely ex-
tended on the low hills that in some places border the
hay.
A kind friend sent nie across the bay in his boat,
which landed me at Wai-waij near TTai Levu, on its
northern shore. Here an enterprising young settler
has bought land, on which he has built a small sugar
mill, and is growing cane and coffee, the former on
the rich alluvium at the base of the hills, and the latter
in the sheltered and fertile valleys. Cocoa-nut trees
abound on the shore, but there is room for more ex-
tensive plantations of this valuable tree. The low lying
undulating country extending from this place to the
Bua mountains, a distance of 50 miles, is well watered,
and suited both by climate and soil for growing sugar
cane, cacoa, Liberian coffee, &c, with a broad fringe
of cocoa-nut trees along the coast. Tracts of this fine
land belong to settlers, many of whom are too poor to
do anything with it, even if they were willing and^had
the necessary knowledge and skill. The greater part
of it, however, belongs to natives, who annually clear
portions of it on which to grow their food plants, allow-
ing the portions already used to relapse into jungle.
I stayed a week in this locality, arranging the
specimens collected on the way from Rabi, and
making excursions into the mountain forests. I may
remark that the farther I proceeded from that island
the more numerous did plants, which I had not
observed upon it, become. I also found that the speci-
mens already collected were drying badly, — becom-
ing mouldy and the leaves dropping off on account of
the heal and moisture, notwithstanding the changing
19
of the drying paper twicc^daily. Specimens will not dry
properly when made into Imndles and enveloped in
waterproof coverings ; yet without these coverings the
paper carried exposed through this damp country
would become a mass of pulp in a few hours. The
carriers were careless ; indeed no ordinary care could
prevent the packages from coming constantly in
contact with the tall grasses and branches of shrubs
dripping with wet, that border the narrow tracks lead-
ing from one village to another. Three changes of
drying paper were in use, but from my constant move-
ments it could not be thoroughly dried, although well
aired, spread out and hung up in the interior of
native houses every night. Henceforth, with the
exception of specimens of tender ferns, all other
specimens were well withered in the sun and air before
they were put into drying paper. To do this, they
were carried in open baskets by day and hung near
the fires and round the sides of the bure ni sa at night.
From the specimens being scattered at night and
exposed to the wind by day I lost about 150 numbers
(representing as many species of which I had memo-
randa) out of a total of 1,150 kinds gathered.
My next journey was to Naduri, in the province of
Macuata, on the north-west coast of Vanua Levu.
Walking slowly, collecting all the way and stopping a
night at Loma loma, a village in the centre of the
island, Naduri was reached on the evening of the
second day. On the chart the direct distance from
"Wai-wai to Naduri is 18 or 20 miles, but, by the
indirect route of the native paths, it is fully 35 miles,
On the first day my course lay through the mountains.
The path, rough and apparently not much used, ran
along streams, up steep ascents and down awkward
B 2
20
descents, over slippery boulders and fallen trees, up
tin" sides and along the crests of mountains. These
mountains are densely wooded, whilst the soil in the
valleys is fertile and well adapted for growing coffee.
The head waters of the Drekiti river— here a large,
swift, running stream — were crossed on the first day,
and I gathered some interesting and new species of
flowering plants and ferns in the mountain forests,
which are here well stocked with fine timber trees.
Among these were noticed the dak act, dakua-salu-
sahij kausia, kan-tabu, lewininini, damanu, &c. Along
the paths I remarked that the Fijians have at intervals
recognised halting places, from which all the scrub
has been cleared, and where they light fires, cook their
food, rest, and smoke. These spots are always on the
tops of ridges, commanding good views of the country.
The air on the top of the mountains felt fresh and
cool ; but the climate is exceedingly wet, and a fair
day quite the exception. In such a climate ferns, &c,
abound, and the branches of the trees and the petioles
of the leaves are covered with mosses. On the second
day, the route was through a country of an almost oppo-
site character. The climate here was moderately dry.
The hills, consisting of calcareous and other sedimen-
tary rocks, were low and undulating, and covered
with grass, patches of forest, rough ferns, and the
turmeric and yabia (Fijian arrowroot) plants. The
character of the plants changed, there being but few
of those I had seen in the wet districts. Fires which
break out annually among the grass do a great
amounl oi injury to this province. In the bottoms
and on the sides of some of the valleys there is a large
amounl of good fertile land capable of growing sugar
cane, and in other places large areas of pasture land.
21
Cocoa-nut trees, loaded with fruit, are common, but not
numerous in the vicinity of the village. The inhabi-
tants of this part seem to be poor ; their villages are
by no means clean, and, altogether, compare unfavour-
ably with those residing on the coast. On the road to
Naduri four large streams were crossed, all flowing
westward to the Drekiti river. There are several
settlements on this river where, I believe, there are
nearly 30 square miles of good cane land, most of
which contists of alluvium and low hills with water
frontage on a navigable stream.
The village of Naduri is built on a low lying, flat
piece of rich land about 3 square miles in extent,
which is capable of yielding any kind of crop. The
climate being dry during the cool season, cultivation
is aided by irrigation. The water is supplied by one
or more streams that have been turned into channels
dug for the purpose. Cocoa-nut trees abound in the
village and in the vicinity, but there is available
space for further planting. The village is well built,
cleanly kept, and the ground is carpeted with short
grass like a lawn, — the latter feature being character-
istic of the tidiest and best kept native villages. The
European stipendiary magistrate for Vanua Levu
resides and has a court house in Naduri. All the
magistrates in Fiji, Levuka excepted, go from one
district to another administering justice, holding their
courts, for want of proper buildings, in the village
schools and occasionally under a tree. But this in-
convenience is in the way of being remedied. In the
villages where courts are usually held the people are
erecting buildings for the accommodation of the court,
and also for the magistrate where it is necessary for
him to remain a few days. Beche de mer is found
22
ou the reefs off this coast, and the natives are largely
employed in getting- and curing it for the market.
Si dalwood used to grow in the forests of the pro-
vince, but owing to reckless felling, it has almost
disappeared from them.
The interpreter being unable to walk far on account
of a sore foot, the Roko of Macuata sent us up the coast
in a takia, or dug out canoe, to Labasine, opposite Mali
i^hind. Thickets of mangroves fringed the shore and
were occasionally backed by small grooves of cocoa-
nuts, for extending which there seemed to be ample
space. The hills descend in places to the water's
edge, and here and there form precipitous cliffs of
. i g ulonierate. The surface is covered with rank grass and
dotted with the balawa (Pandanus, or screw pine) trees
and spots of forest. Near Mali three or four navigable
streams enter the sea, and the mangrove swamps are
extensive. There are a few settlers near these streams,
on the banks of which I should think a large area
of cane land existed.
A change of men at Labasine to manage the canoe
was not one for the better. The canoe had not been
long out when the men, from the noise of the surf
breaking on the barrier reefs and other appearances,
predicted a storm and advised landing at the village
of Wavu wavu. A severe storm of lightning, thunder,
wind .Did rain came on as predicted and lasted the
U hole Qight.
The next morning 1 travelled to the village of Vuni
vutiu from whence thcTuragani Korotookmeto Tutu
in his Large Bea canoe. Tutu is nearly opposite the island
of Draudrau. The coast from Labasine is a series of
bold, projecting bluffs of agglomerate, interspersed with
ma of coralline sandstone, enclosing a succession of
bays varying in depth from 2 to 3 miles; and in
23
breadth from 3 to 4. At their heads these bays
terminate in mangrove swamps, behind which are
small groves of cocoa-nuts. One or more streams
enter the sea at the head of each bay, and they are
navigable for small vessels for several miles inland.
These streams having neither bridge nor ferry,
travelling along this part of the coast can only be
done by good swimmers, — even they would have to
encounter the danger arising from the numerous
sharks which infest all these waters. The ridges that
extend seaward are thickly covered with noko noko
(casuarina) and balawa trees, brushwood and grass.
Low rolling hills lie beyond the flats, and like those
just referred to are covered with grass and brush-
wood. In making their roads the natives have,
in several places, dug deep into these hills, and have
exposed the sub-soil, which is found at times to
consist of white and red clay. The estimated area of
good cane land on the Macuata coast, extending from
Macuata island to Uclu Point, is about 40 square miles.
Most of it lies in small areas, of 100 acres and up-
wards, each. In working such land small and com-
paratively inexpensive "plant," capable of making
2 or 3 tons of sugar per week, will be particularly
useful in developing this and similar localities in
Fiji. On the other hand, many districts will give
employment (during the proper seasons of the year
for cutting and crushing the sugar cane) to nume-
rous mills, each able to make 20 tons of sugar per
day. At Tutu a few strange plants were found
among the volcanic and sedimentary rocks which
surround that place.
I left Tutu late in the afternoon in a large canoe and
went up the Kuru-kuru river for about 8 miles ; then
landed and walked 7 miles to the village of Kali
24
kosa. As it was dark when we landed the natives
made torches of dry bamboos, which burnt well, to
guide us down the steep banks and over the fords of
two large streams. On the banks of the Kuru-kuru
river there is a large area of good cane land. In a
small lake near Kali-kosa there is a floating island,
in connexion with which the Pijians have some long
mythological stories to tell.
Next day the route was in a south-westerly direc-
tion to Nadoga, which was reached about 4 p.m. It
was a wet walk all along the banks of the Wai ni
Koro, a deep and rapid stream, which was crossed and
re-crossed 15 times. The natives are extremely kind,
and at the fords insist upon carrying the papalagai,
i.e. , the foreigner, across. One soon gets tired of this,
besides there is the risk of the bearer slipping, and
bringing both down to be carried away by the current.
One gets equally tired of changing clothes when fords
are frequent, and the result is you plunge into the water
with your ordinary costume upon you, even though
you may find it up to your shoulders. A considerable
extent of fine flat land was noticed on the banks of
the stream, and in general the country consisted of
low-lying hills covered with grass and brushwood and
pasture land. The rocks noticed were principally sedi-
mentary and volcanic, and some had the appearance of
decomposed granite. The sanitary condition of Na-
doga Leaves much to be desired. The mosquitoes
were more numerous and troublesome than in any
other pari of the group. I left on the following
morning, when the path led through the mountains,
up the bed of one stream and down the bed of another
to Malaka, or Malata, a village on the north- west shore
of Natawa bay. During this day's journey the land
25
was found to be good throughout, and in the moun-
tains the greater part of it was well wooded and
suitable for coffee growing. On approaching Natawa
bay the path led through some fine cane land about
2 square miles in extent. In the mountains which
extend from one extremity to the other of Vanua
Levu, a distance of 120 miles, there is an area of
about 700 square miles of prime land well adapted by
climate and soil for growing the coffee tree.
The following day my journey lay for 15 miles
along the shore of Natawa bay to Vatu Kura. It
passed through numerous cleanly -kept villages,
which were well shaded with groves of cocoa-nut,
bread-fruit and other trees. The path — a well-made
one — lay along the beach, occasionally on flat ground,
but not unfrequently cut into the sides of the hills,
where it was supported on the outside by rough walls
of stone. Many streams — flowing from the mountains
— were crossed, some of them by bridges of single,
slippery, crooked, logs, trunks of trees worn smooth,
and others of more architectural pretensions, all more
or less dangerous to walk upon. Near Vatu Kura we
were ferried over a large stream, one at a time, in all
that remained of a canoe that had been recently
broken. It was simply the half of a canoe, the water
being prevented from entering at the broken end by
a wall of clay. The character of the country on this
side of the bay is similar to that on the south-east
side already described. Many young plantations of
cocoa-nut trees were noticed, and there is ample
vacant space for more. Most of the low hills are
covered with grass and " bush," and the soil is very
fertile. Basaltic, agglomerate, limestone, and other
rocks of aqueous character are very conspicuous.
26
At Vatn Kura tlic signal agreed upon, — smoke if in
the daytime and fire at night, — was made to my friends
at Rabi, who at once sent a boat for me, and I arrived
at that island after a somewhat stormy passage of
eight hours. In a few days, the steamer, which trades
in the group and carries the mails between the several
islands, called at llabi, and I returned to Levuka,
via Laucala, Loma loma, Mango, Kanacea, Vuna
Point in Taviuni, and Koro.
The first place the steamer stopped at was Wai ni
Buli. Tasman's straits, on the northern part of Tavi-
uni, where we remained all night. As steaming
among the islands at night is dangerous, and at places
even by day without a pilot at the mast-head to point
out the sunken rocks, the vessel has to anchor in a
safe harbour, or lie to at a fair distance from the
shore, every night. We steamed across the straits at
daylight, and soon anchored at Luacala (pr. Lauthala).
This part of Fiji is exquisitely beautiful. The water
is deep, smooth, and blue ; and sunken rocks and de-
tached pieces of coral are readily distinguished by their
colour. Numerous islands rise suddenly from the sea,
and huge masses of rock arc seen towering up to a
heighl of 800 feet, clothed with dense forest, and sur-
mounted by the tall trunks and waving leaves of the
cocoa-nut palm and tree fern. Quamc (pr. Kaima), is
i small, well timbered, high lying, picturesque island,
on which many cocoa-nut trees may be seen nestling
;it the head of little coves, and growing far up on the
rockj heights wherever the soil is rich enough for them
to grow. Laucala is a fine, fertile island, nearly the
whole of which is capable of being made into a grove
of cocoa-nul trees. That tree is well represented here;
in died, those tint 1 .saw were among the healthiest in
27
Eiji, but they were growing too closely together. The
steamer went close to Nataimba, a good view of which
we had in passing. It contains about 9 square
miles of good land, and nearly the whole of it is
planted with cocoa-nut trees. After entering inside
the reef at the northern end of Loma Loma or Vanua
Balawu (Exploring islands), the steamer passes
within 20 yards of the shore, along which the scenery
is most charming. The island is well wooded at
this part, and rises abruptly from the sea to an eleva-
tion of several hundred feet. The shore is well pro-
tected from the force of the waves by the barrier reef.
But the action of the water upon the coral limestone
rock has worn it away, so that at one uniform level
all along the shore the upper part projects at a little
above high-water mark. There are many islets pro-
tecting half hidden coves or small bays, in some of
which there is deep water. The steamer remained
nearly 24 hours at the village of Loma Loma. There
are numerous settlers at this place, and it is a port
for both inward and outward bound foreign vessels.
Some healthy young mahogany and toon " cedar "
trees, and good crotons from the New Hebrides and
New Ireland were seen in the gardens.
Maafu, the Hoko of the Lau province, has granted
the use of a few acres of land, which the inhabitants
of the village have laid out as a public botanic garden.
Of course, I paid a visit to it, and was much pleased
with what I saw. It is highly creditable to the
settlers and natives, and says much for the energy and
zeal of both, for I believe the latter take a lively
interest in " their garden."
There are many Tonga men in this province, and its
Roko is the nephew of King George of Tonga. The
28
Tonguese arc a fairer race of men than the Fijians,
and both men and women are of larger build. They
readily combine to carry out any enterprise. This was
shown in the wars between the two races. Indi-
vidually they are acknowledged to be less industrious
and not such good handicraftsmen as the Fijians ;
they are also more haughty in their bearing towards
strangers. The houses here have circular ends, a
feature I did not observe in any other part of the group.
Copra is the great article of produce of this pro-
vince, and there is vacant space for the cocoa-nut
tree being extended a hundred fold. The island is
long and narrow, thinly wooded near the village, and
its rocks are agglomerate, basaltic, and aqueous. The
village is built in a grove of cocoa-nut and bread-fruit
trees. It is cleanly kept, well laid out, and divided
by broad paths, which serve for streets, and which are
covered with short lawn-like grass.
The next port of call was the island of Mango, ren-
dered famous from the cotton grown there having
gained the highest awards at the International Exhi-
bitions held at Philadelphia and Paris. It is a fertile
well-cultivated island, about 9 square miles in extent.
The attention of its owners has been attracted to rais-
ing coffee instead of cotton, which latter does not now
pay so well as formerly.
From Mango the steamer went to Kanacea, where
it shipped a quantity of cotton. This had to be con-
veyed nearly 2 miles in small boats through a narrow
passage in the reef, which is here 2 miles broad and
the same distance from the shore. The island belongs
t'. si-t tiers, and contains extensive groves of both old
and young eoeoa-nul trees. The other places touched
at were Vxma Point and Koro.
29
My next trip was to Suva, in the island of Viti
Levu. This is the site of the future capital of Fiji.
In many respects a better could not be chosen. The
scenery of the locality is among the finest in Fiji.
The harbour is large and commodious, easily entered,
and well protected by the reefs, whilst the water is
moderately deep. From this harbour, and inside the
reefs, there is water communication on one side to the
mouth of the Rewa river, and by that stream into the
interior of Viti Levu ; and on the other side for 30
miles along the coast and up the Navua river. Three
streams enter the harbour on its northern side, navi-
gable for small boats for several miles. A road, a
portion of which is already blocked out, is to be con-
structed to the upper Rewa and the Wai Manu dis-
tricts, where some of the most fertile land in Fiji is
to be found. The site is on a projecting point, which
on the land side rises to an elevation of 300 or 400
feet. On the other three sides it is surrounded by the
sea and open to the breezes, — the S.E. trades, which
keep the locality fresh and cool. The elevated land,
as well as a large space on the northern shore of the
harbour, which can be reached by small boats in any
weather, is suitable for the erection of villas. As indi-
cated on the plan of the town, I believe the streets are
intended to be half a chain (33 feet) wide. This for a
town in the tropics, where a good supply of cool pure air
is absolutely essential, seems to me to be too little, at
least for the main streets. These should not be less than
50 feet wide. They may even be wider to allow for side
walks, each from 10 to 12 feet broad, and for the
planting of a row of evergreen trees on each side for
shade. . The ground is naturallv well drained. The
30
underlying rock, which is but a short distance below
the surface, resembles marl.
From Suva I made several excursions into the sur-
rounding country. Most of the land in the vicinity
belongs to settlers. In some parts cotton had been
grown, in others sugar cane, hut both these have been
abandoned for grazing herds of cattle. At Suva I
discovered the insect, a small moth, which in its
caterpillar stage of development eats the leaves
of the cocoa-nut trees. One of my journeys was
to the upper Rewa, via the native village of Kaluba,
returning by the sources of the Tamavua river.
S veral others were made, both by land and sea
to ua Vesi saw-mills, where I obtained much in-
formation r< -peeling Fijian timber from the intelligent
proprietor. On the way to Rewa the country is
densely covered with reeds and scrub, which are
periodically devastated by fires. The land appeared
to have been cultivated by the natives. In many
places it is very fertile. A young but promising
coffee plantation was shown me, in which the plants
Looked healthy and thriving. On the banks of
the Wai Mann, an affluent of the Eewa, there is an
extensive area of excellent cane land. The greater
part of it belongs to settlers, some of whom have
fields of fine healthy looking sugar cane, and others
have herds of well-fed cattle. The land which lies
between the two livers i.s also very good. This had
been previously cultivated by the Fijians; but it is
now covered with a thickyoung forest. Forests of this
kind, which Bpring up where land has been once culti-
vated, are uumeroua in Fiji. These, together with the
many abandoned dalo or taro patches, lead to the
31
belief that the country was once much more populous
than it is now. But the clearing and cultivation of
land, followed by abandonment, may be rather due to
the habits of the people than suggestive of a
diminished population, though it is true that epi-
demics of measles have carried off a very considerable
number. On returning to Suva the Wai Manu was
crossed 4- miles higher up, and the route followed
was that which had been surveyed for the road above
mentioned. "We passed the sources of the Tamavua
river, and the village of Colo ni Suva. Near this
village can be obtained a fine view of the lower
reaches of the Heiwa, extending to Ovalau, and also
some fine mountain and river scenery. The soil along
this route is fertile, and in many places suitable for
growing sugar canes, whilst in others coffee would be
found to be more suitable. The rocks are principally
of a calcareous nature.
When leaving Suva I was joined by Mr. Langton,
who travelled with me through the interior of Viti
Levu examining sites for the natives for then coffee
plantations. We proceeded first in a boat for about
30 miles along the coast, and then went up the Navua
river. At the mouth of this river, where we remained
a few days examining the country and visiting some
of tbe settlers, there are about 60 square miles of
prime cane land, consisting principally of low hills
and alluvial flats. Cotton was once grown here, but
since that ceased to pay, the settlers have turned their
attention to raising stock. As in other places the want
of sugar mills prevents the cultivation of the sugar
cane from being entered upon.
At the village of na Quave we met the Koko of
the province (Eoko Tui Namosi), who had assembled
32
a aumberof natives, — men, women, and boys, to clean
a cotton plantation belonging to the tribe. The plants
looked healthy, but thinning had been neglected when
they were young. The yield of cotton would also have
been greater if the plants had been cut down after
bearing the first crop. We left na Quave for Nukusari,
a village about half-way to Namosi. For 14 miles the
load Led through magnificent forests, in which there is a
large amount of excellent timber, such as dakua, dakua-
salusalu, kau-tabua, damanu, &c, I made consider-
able additions of rare species to my collection of plants.
Although our course now lay for some distance
alongan elevated ridge, it was so shaded by trees that,
with tin- exception of a magnificent view of KoroLoa,
a good view of the country could not be obtained.
K< >ro Loa is a lofty, conical shaped, rugged mountain,
which rises to an elevation of about 2,000 feet above
the sea. The land surrounding it appeared to be low
lying hills and valleys, but so densely covered with
forest that the surface could nowhere be distinctly seen.
The soil was everywhere rich and fertile, and the rocks
seen were principally basalt and agglomerate, and
occasionally some of a sedimentary character. Before
arriving at the bed of the Xavua river, the path sud-
denly descended the 1 ted of a stream with narrow, lofty,
perpendicular banks so overgrown with bamboos and
wild canes that no view in front could be obtained.
When these were pushed aside, we turned sharply
round a rock, and to our surprise found we were stand-
ing "u the edge of a river (a branch of the Navua),
L0 yards broad and '2\ feet deep. We forded this
ii three times in the short distance of 500 yards.
Then climbing its righl bank where it joins the Navua
river, we crossed a projecting point of land about 6
33
yards broad, and descending into the Navua, which we
forded on a spit of sand and gravel a yard in breadth
at the top, and with 3^ feet of water upon it. This
spit is thrown across the Navua by the current of
water which its tributary brings down and which at
this point enters the main stream at right angles. It
was remarked at this place, that the channels of both
rivers had been worn down through a coarse grained
sedimentary rock which rose in steep crags to a height
of 300 feet above the water. Here the Navua is from
25 to 30 yards in width, and at the head of the rapids,
where w^e forded it, the water was sometimes 3 feet
deep and very clear. The route now followed the
bed of the river, crossing it three times within the
next three miles. This was necessary in order to avoid
climbing steep banks at places where the river by,
taking a sudden bend strikes into their sides, leaving
no space for a path between them and the water.
Nukusari is a small village on the left bank of the
river. By the people of the Namosi tribe it is used as
a resting place between the coast and the interior. We
left it next morning, and fording the Navua and a
tributary stream five times, we arrived at Koro Wai-wai
about 4 p.m. At Nakusari I had a slight attack of
Mauritius fever during the night, and next day
in fording the river for the first time, I felt quite
giddy when in the middle of the stream, but calling the
guide to take my hand I arrived safely on the other
side. The water w^as nearly 3 feet deep at this place and
running rapidly, and the bed of the river was covered
with loose stones which frequently rolled from under
the feet. The depth of the water and the strength
of the current rendered it dangerous to lift the feet ; but
with the aid of a stick and pushing one's foot forward
a few inches at a time, the river w r as safely forded.
Q 2019. c
34
Many of the natives were employed taking yams
to the coast on rafts made of bamboos. It was an
interesting sight to see, from a height, long trains of
these rafts floating' down the river one after another.
man on each raft guides it with a long pole, avoid-
ing shoals and rocks, keeping it in deep water and
preventing it from running against the banks. The land
between Nukusari and Koro "\Yai-wai is of excellent
quality and well suited for growing coffee. Much of
it had been cultivated, but had been allowed to relapse
into forest.
From Koro TTai-wai excursions were made up a
branch of the Navua river, to the villages of Lasa-
lasi and Biba. The land seen was fertile and well
adapted for growing coffee. As seen from the cliffs
on the banks of the river, the rocks were agglo-
merate and sedimentary. We left Koro Wai-wai and
after a short journey of about 5 miles arrived at
Namosi. This village lies in the bottom of a beau-
tiful valley surrounded by lofty mountains, some
of which (Vonia) rise to an elevation of nearly 3,000
feel above the sea. The entrance to the valley and
the exit from it are on the course of the Wai-dina.
A.1 the village this river is about 6 yards wide, and the
surrounding scenery is indescribably fine. "For many
reasons the site of Namosi is well adapted for an
inland 1 own. The climate is delightfully cool at night
and noi too hot during the day. There are no
mosquitoes, at least in the cool season, and then the
temperature at night falls to 55° and even 50° F.,
vrhilsl in the day it rises to 70° and 75°. "VVe stayed
a week at Namosi, and from it took long rambles into
the mountains, which arc well wooded with many fine
oimens of the best kinds of timber trees peculiar to
Fiji A young, petty chief acted as our guide,
35
who, on being asked what countryman he was, drew
himself up and, with a great assumption of dignity,
replied, " Kai Birctania Saka," a British subject, Sir.
We ascended Mount Voma, from the top of which an
extensive view of the country, indeed of the greater
part of Fiji, was obtained. It extended to Ovalau on
the east and to Kadavu in the south ; on the west and
north, a dense forest and a series of hills rising above
and beyond each other until they seemed to meet in
the distant horizon. The view was an extensive one,
but many of the objects were too distant to stand out
in anything like distinctness. The prettiest objects were
the valley and the windings of the Wai-dina, which
latter, like a silver thread, meandered through all the
varied shades of colour which a fertile valley, partially
wooded, partially cultivated, and well populated, ever
presents to the eye. JNamosi used to be a clean and
well-kept village, but lately it has been much neglected.
In times gone by some of its people and their chiefs
were notorious cannibals. The stones, which are said
to be a record of the number of bodies consumed by
the chiefs, may be seen standing near the site of the
old heathen temple, or "Devil's Bure." The rocks
in the vicinity are basalt, agglomerate, and aqueous,
but principally the two former. The land is very
fertile ; in the bottom of the valley and on the sides of
the low hills surrounding it, sugar cane might be
grown, and coffee in more elevated parts.
Prom Namosi we travelled to Vienunga (as pro-
nounced), a village about 20 miles to the west. When
about 4 miles on our journey, we were shewn the
place where a shaddock tree once grew, of which it
has been said, that the fruit which fell on one side
was carried to the sea by the Wai-dina and the
C 2
36
Llewa, and thai which fell on the other side by the
Navua river. We passed Koro Wai-wai on the
way, and although the path was on the top of an
elevated ridge the view to he obtained was an ex-
tremely limited one, on account of the rain and fog.
The path afterwards became very bad, precipitous,
muddy, and slippery. Several streams were passed,
the path taking us occasionally along their rocky beds.
After crossing the Wai ni Awa, at a cleanly kept village
of the same name, the path ran along the crest of a
ridge whose rocky sides were almost perpendicular,
and large rocks seemed to block the way. We
scrambled over these huge rocks by the aid of rough
steps cut in the slippery stone and upright logs with
notches cut into them for the feet. The top of the
rock was a plateau on which several circular terraces,
one above another, in the form of fortifications, had
been made by the natives. The place has evidently
been one of the old " fighting towns," or forts, into
which the people retired in troublous times, when not
only tribes had their feuds, but neighbouring villages
even seemed always to have a standing quarrel to he
fought out as opportunity offered. These old forti-
fications are numerous in Fiji. Every mountain top
is such a one, and the narrow mountain ridges lead-
ing to it are cut across by deep ditches to act as lines
of def< oce against invaders, and to render the "fight-
ing town " safer to dwell in. Hence, in a great mea-
sure, the reason is to be found why the Fijians directed
their paths along the beds of streams and the tops of
ridges, from the latter of which good views of the
country could be obtained. These made progress diffi-
cult, and, for the same reason, the immediate ap-
proaches to villages were often of the most intricate
37
kind. The position chosen for a fort was naturally a
strong one, and, where art was called in for its aid, it
was easily made impregnable to the modes of warfare
practised by the old Fijians. They were generally
well supplied with provisions, and also with water from
frequent showers. Within a few of them there
were springs of water and even ground for growing
bananas, — plantations of which still remain. For the
last 7 miles to Vienunga, where we arrived about
5 p.m., the path was a well made one and led through
virgin forests. The country passed through from Koro
Wai-wai was very hilly. Rocks of a sedimentary
character were most numerous, but volcanic breccia
and basalt were also occasionally seen. Up to our
arrival in the vicinity of Vienunga most of the land
had been cultivated at one time, and then, in accord-
ance with the custom of the country, allowed to rest
and to become overgrown with scrub and reeds.
The soil was seen to be of good quality and suitable
for growing coffee and tea.
Vienunga is a large and clean village on the banks
of a small river which falls into the Navua. As a
rule the villages in Fiji are built on the banks of
rivers and large streams ; always near water. This
village is situated in the centre of the forest which
extends for miles round it in all directions. A portion
of this forest is felled annually, and the land turned
into plantations for growing yams, dalo, bananas, &c.
We stayed here several days and had long rambles in
the forests, in which several new plants were found.
These forests are well stocked with timber trees,
especially the damanu, which is one of the best and
most useful woods to be found in Fiji. It is a pity
to see so much timber wasted here ; fine trees are felled
38
and then burnt off the land, while large imports of
timber for building are constantly arriving from New
land and Oregon, and yet the damanu is superior
both to the kauri of the one country and to thepme
of the other. The timber cut down for clearing
might, in many instances, be floated down the rivers
to the coast, where it could be utilised. This should
be done after the timber is seasoned in the log, as some
of the kinds, when green, are too heavy for floating,
or, their buoyancy might be aided by the use of bamboo
rafts.
A large number of the natives in Namosi, and some
other villages which I visited, are covered with what
is locally known as the Tokalu, or Solomon Island
ringworm. This is, I believe, a fungus, which lives
and spreads in the skin until it extends all over the
body. The skin becomes rough, and changes from
its natural dark colour to grey, and the body of the
infected person at a short distance appears as if
covered with scales, like a fish. The disease, if it
may be so called, is infectious but not painful, and it
docs not seem to impair the strength or energy of
those affected by it. The Chief Medical officer of the
colony has prescribed an effectual cure for it, but it
is difficult, if nol impossible, to get the natives to use
it Long enough to make a cure. At Vienunga the
natives have a cure of their own, the sap of a tree
which they call km karo. The tree abounds in the
forests in differenl parts of Fiji, but I was not fortu-
nate enough to gel either Hie flower or the fruit of it.
It seemed to be a species of Oncocarpus. One or
more Bpecies of this genus are indigenous to the
islands, and the juice is acrid and burning. The
natives use the juice by allowing a few drops to fall
39
on the parts affected, which it inflames and burns out.
The Fijians are careful not to allow any of it to touch
their fingers, but I tried some on the back of my
hand without noticing any injury done.
We visited the nurseries of young coffee plants which
the Government are getting up to aid the natives
in establishing coffee plantations. At Namosi and
other villages which we passed, the seedlings looked
well and thriving, but nowhere had they been so well
attended to as at Vienunga, and at no place were
they to be found in better health. Vienunga was
the first village where we found the language to differ
from that spoken on the coast. Very few of the
common people understood the interpreter. As we
were to visit many other places in the interior, where
the coast language is only spoken by a few, I engaged
a young man who was familiar with both, and by his
help and our own interpreter, we were soon able to
carry on all necessary communication.
The journey from Vienunga to na Moali was, for
the fourth part of the distance, through the forest.
The path was very rough ; fallen trees blocked the
way, and at almost every few yards a stream had to
be crossed ; then it conducted us along the bed of
the Wai Moali, a small river which flows into the
Navua ; indeed, all the streams crossed by us since
we left Namosi are tributaries of that river. The land
which we passed through was fertile, and both it and
the climate were suitable for coffee, tea, or cinchona
cultivation. The rocks seen were principally of
aqueous origin, but those of an igneous nature were
abundantly represented. The village of na Maoli
lies in. the region between the wet and dry parts of
Viti Levu. Open grass-covered hills, which are inter-
40
spersed park-like with clumps of forest, are character-
istic of this locality. The soil is fertile, and the
surface is not too steep for growing the sugar cane.
Tea and coffee would also succeed here. Agglome-
rate rocks abound, hut some of aqueous nature were
also noticed.
After passing the village of Vosi Dam the path to
na Tua-tua-coko, or Fort Carnarvon, was a very rough
one indeed. For about 9 miles it went through in-
numerable beds of dalo, along irrigating water-courses,
and then down the rocky bed of a mountain torrent
to TTai Basaga, on the left bank of the Siga Toka
river. The forests which lie between Vosi Dam and
na Moali are full of the best and largest timber trees
that I have seen in Fiji, and a very large proportion
of them have reached a mature stage of growth.
At Vosi Dam an extensive view of the province of
Navosa was obtained. This is the dry part of Fiji,
and the chief features in the scenery are low hills
covered with grass and small tracts of forest in some
of the valleys and on a few of the mountains. We
forded the Siga Toka at the village of Wai Basaga,
and after crossing some low hills covered with grass
and recrossing the river, we arrived at Fort Carnarvon,
so called .itter the late Secretary of State for the
Colonies. The country passed through consisted of
hills with very steep sides, which had been much dis-
figured by land-slips. Many dalo plantations were
-'•,■11 i n terraces on the hill sides. The annual fires
cause great damage to this part of the country.
Iii< greater part of the land is of fair quality, but
it Buffers periodically from drought. Sedimentary
ami basaltic rocks were the most common kinds
erred. The houses in this part are built in a differ-
41
ent manner from those on the coast. Their length
is about equal to their breadth, and they have high
pitched roofs. The thatch is thickest at the eaves,
where it is bent into a horizontal position and then
cut short. Fort Carnarvon was built by the Govern-
ment after the late rebellion was quelled. Its site is
on the left bank of the Siga Toga river, about 250
yards from the stream. It is built on the top of a
low hill surrounded by plains, and is occupied by from
60 to 80 men of the armed constabulary, all of whom
are natives drawn from the various provinces of the
group. They are under the command of a native
lieutenant, who is the son of a renowned Fiji chief, —
Hitova of Macuta. The Governor's Commissioner,
who also acts as magistrate of the province, has his
head-quarters at the fort. Of all occupations the
natives like soldiering the best, and when on duty
they have a dignified and martial appearance. Up
to a certain point they learn their drill very rapidly,
and go through the movements with great precision.
A native chaplain is stationed at the fort, who also
acts as teacher to the men.
Besides attending to their military duties, the men
are employed in planting and raising food for their
own consumption. Their food a short time ago was all
purchased from the people of the vicinity ; now the
greater part is grown by them on the flat land in the
neighbourhood. Built in the centre of the district in
which the late rebellion broke out, the fort was intended
to be of service in any similar outbreak, — an event not
likely again to occur, as the people all seem cheerfully
to have accepted Government control, and are quite
ready to submit their differences to its decision.
This part of the country is occupied by numerous
42
petty tribes, who were almost constantly at war with
each other, except when they patched up their differ-
ences to settle any difficulty they might have with
their neighbours on the coast.
From the fort I went to Pickering's Peak (Koroba)
to see the sandalwood which was said to grow on its
sides, returning by way of Wai-wai, and the bridle
path between Nadi and Fort Carnarvon. The coun-
try here was very hilly and the land covered with
long grass and clumps of the vunga tree, metrosideros
polymorpha, &c. On the tops of the mountains and
in many of the valleys there are patches of forest.
In these a large amount of excellent timber and other
useful trees, the lauci s aleurites triloba, are found, a
portion of which is annually cleared by the Fijians to
make room for their food plantations, or destroyed by
raging fires. The land was from fair to good in quality.
In many places it is suitable for coii'ec, and in some
others, as at na Sau-coka, for sugar cane. In the
vicinity of Fort Carnarvon I visited some large caves
among the calcareous rocks there, which were once
a stronghold of the cannibals. The entrance to the
cave- was defended by walls and a fence of lemon
trees, on which I found some human bones which the
inhabitants of the caves had exposed to view to show
all who passed what might be the result of a quarrel
with them. This custom was not uncommon among
the Fijians when they were cannibals, the shaddock
being the favourite tree on which to expose the bones
of their victims. These bones were generally put in
the forks of the branches, or where the branches
united with the trunk. If the trees were young
and thriving, the bones in a few years became em-
bedded in the wood. I could not learn why the
43
shaddock, lemon, and lime trees were selected for this
purpose, and presume it was simply because these
kinds abounded in the vicinity of villages to a much
greater extent than others.
In the dry season the Siga Toka river, at Port
Carnarvon, is about 30 yards wide, and from 1^ feet
to 2 feet deep. As far into the mountains as na
Tua-tua-coka there is a large area of excellent flat land
which is suitable for growing sugar cane. Near the
coast also the area of such land is said to be extensive,
and I believe that, with the low hills and the alluvial
flats, there are from 20 to 25 square miles of good cane
land on the borders of this river. The locality is dry, but
land which has such a quantity of fresh water running
through it to the sea, should not be much affected by
drought. Coral limestone and a rough calcareous look-
ing sandstone abound in this neighbourhood, but
volcanic breccia and basaltic rocks are not uncommon.
We left Fort Carnarvon for Nadrau, stopping the
first day on account of a violent thunderstorm at a
village called Mata-wala, the next at another called
Bilo, and arriving at Nadrau on the 5 ; third day.
The path was in some places along the beds of streams,
then it ran along the tops of the hills, occasionally
crossing inverted V shaped ridges at right angles ;
over rocks and down precipices at angles varying
from 80° to 90.° It was annoying, after a long
climb up one side of a steep hill, to see the path
winding among the long grass, up and over a similar
hill just before us, and also to know that we had to
go down an almost perpendicular descent of nearly a
1,000 feet, to leap from one slippery stone to another
along the rocky bed of a stream in the bottom of the
44
valley, and again to ascend to an equal if not greater
elevation than the one we were standing upon. We
passed through numerous small tracts of forest, all
of which seemed to have sprung up after land had
been cultivated. These were interspersed with open
pieces of land thickly covered with reeds. Although
we traversed this district in the dry season, — and the
locality is one of the driest in Fiji, — yet, judging from
the vegetation, the rainfall at some period of the year
must be considerable, probably amounting to from
80 to 90 inches per annum. I noticed on this journey,
and also in the vicinity of Pickering's Peak, that in
passing over the wooded mountain tops, showers and
fogs constantly occurred, and the vegetation was
dripping with moisture, while on the open grass land
at some distance from the woods, and at about the
same elevation, the dust was blowing on the paths, and
and the grass was perfectly dry. The streams
which were passed during this journey were affluents
of the Ba river, the sources of which we had traversed
until avc arrived at the top of the ravine or gorge at
the bottom of which the village of Nadrau is situated.
Boeks of sedimentary origin were the most abundant
kinds ; but volcanic breccia in the beds of a few streams
and also at Bilo was well represented. Basalt was
not uncommon, notably at a village about midway
between Nadrau and Bilo. The strata of the sedi-
mentary rocks on the tops of the ridges were generally
Lying in a horizontal position, and those on the sides
wrere more or less inclined. Several varieties of sedi-
mentary rocks abound in the province of Navosa, and
marble la Baid to have been discovered there. Near
tic village of Wai-wai these rocks form cliffs about
45
100 feet in height. Some of them are coraline, and
at the caves alluded to I saw pieces of coral embedded
in them. Most of the land passed through was fertile,
and in many parts suited for coffee growing. Good pas-
ture abounds everywhere, and this part of the country
is well adapted for rearing cattle, horses, and sheep.
An old heathen temple exists at Nadrau, the
only one I saw in .Fiji, but it is far gone to ruin.
We stayed at this place a day or two and then went
on to na Babuca, on the Wai ni Loa (or Black river),
a branch of the Wai ni Mala. After crossing the
Siga Toka we ascended the cliff on its east side by a
narrow path. We subsequently proceeded up a narrow
valley, the path running along the bed and by the
side of a canal, made with some ingenuity and much
labour by the natives on the steep, rocky side of the
valley to irrigate dalo beds. About a mile or so in a
straight line from Nadrau we came upon some marshes
among which the Wai ni Mala has its course. Then
on we passed through some flat park-like country,
and entered the primeval forest near the village
of Wai Dra-dra. At this village the inhabitants of
Nadrau grow their provisions, as yams, bananas,
land dalo, &c. As at Vienunga, a portion of the
forest is annually felled for the purpose of making
new plantations. The journey hence to Babuca was
the most pleasant that I made while in Fiji. The
path was through the virgin forests, well shaded from
the sun, either level or gradually descending. Here I
made a good collection of rare ferns and other plants.
The timber trees usually seen in such localities
abounded. On the way we passed some agglomerate
and basaltic rocks, but the sedimentary kinds were
most common. The soil was of excellent quality, and
suited for growing either coffee, cinchona, or tea, the
46
two latter especially in the neighbourhood of TTai
Dra-dra.
Babuca is the name of a small district as well
of a village. "VYe stayed in it several days, and
had long rambles in the forests. This part of the
country is exceedingly mountainous, and is well
wooded. Portions of the woods are annually cleared
as elsewhere ; but on account of the superabundance
of rain, nature soon restores the balance by the rapid
growth of other portions ; and, also, on account of the
moisture, fires are neither so extensive nor destructive
in the province of Xavosa. Agglomerate is the
kind of rock that most abounds, but those of aqueous
origin were also met with. The land is fertile, and
coffee would thrive well upon it.
On leaving Babuca the path to na Koro Vatu led
down the bed of the AVai ni Loa to its junction with
the AVai ni Mala, and afterwards along the bed of that
river, nearly as far as the village of Ruku-ruku. We
found it a rough one, and, following the course of the
river, we had to climb over boulders, and to cross the
river 15 times. The depth of water at the fords below
the confluence of the two rivers, varied from 3 to 5
feet. The scenery of the river was extremely pretty,
country was mountainous and well wooded. At
several places the TTai ni Loa has cut through in-
verted V or triangular shaped ridges, exposing whole
Beriea of strata. On the journey to na Koro Vatu
we stopped a night at Koro Suli, a large village on
lelt bani of the river. A short ramble into the
wae made at this place, when a new species of
gardenia and Beveral species of ferns were collected.
On resuming our journey the country began to open
out, to be Less densely wooded, and less mountainous.
The course of the river is crooked. The large flats on
47
its banks are eminently suited for the growth of the
sugar cane. In the vicinity of Ruku-ruku and of na
Koro Vatu there is an area of about 50 square miles
of good cane land, consisting of these alluvial flats
and low hills. Near these two villages, and also near
Kami Husai, beautiful and extensive views of different
parts of the country were obtained — mountains, valleys,
wood, water, picturesque looking villages, and culti-
vated land. Na Koro Vatu is a large well-kept village,
situated, as its name implies, on a rock, which over-
hangs the Wai ni Mala. In this neighbourhood
large nurseries of coffee plants are being formed
under the watchful eye of the intelligent district com-
missioner. With the young plants it is intended to
establish plantations to be cultivated by the natives
who live in the mountain districts near the sources
of the Wai ni Buka and Wai ni Mala. In the deep
pools of the last named river sharks abound, and a
short time before my visit a child, who had acci-
dentally fallen into one of these pools at na Koro
Vatu, was devoured by one of these creatures within
sight of its mother, while she was occupied in
washing her cooking utensils on the edge of the
water. I also heard the case of a man, who about
the same time went alone to bathe in one of these
deep pools, and was severely bitten by one of these
voracious animals — the flesh being torn from one of
his thighs. We forded the Wai ni Mala, about a
mile below na Koro Vatu, and travelled across the
country to na Buke Luke, on the Wai Dina. At that
place the Wai ni Mala is about 40 yards broad, 3 feet
deep, and the current runs from 2 to 3 miles an hour.
It is subject to sudden floods, and sometimes rises 17
feet in a single night. The country traversed in this
48
part was covered with low hills, on which grass and
trees were growing, the land having been previously
cultivated. The soil was fertile, and adapted for grow-
ing Liberian coffee, cacoa, and in some places sugar
cane. The latter could be grown more particularly
towards the course of the Wai-dina, on the banks
of which there is a large area of flats and other
lands on which it could be grown to perfection.
I stayed a few days at na Buke Luke and ascended
Buke Levu, a mountain about 1,800 feet above the
sea level, from which fine and extensive views of the
country could be obtained. Na Buke Luke is about
20 miles east of Namosi by the course of the river.
The rocks seen on the journey were mostly sedimen-
tary ; on the sides of Buke Levu agglomerate,
basaltic, and aqueous rocks were common.
I left na Buke Luke in the morning, and arrived
at Veseri village about five in the afternoon. The
path led through the forest, in which I gathered several
new species of ferns, and made additions to my collec-
tion of flowering plants. The forest was well stocked
with good timber, such as damanu, &c. The path was
steep and wet, especially the latter part of it, which
took us down the bed of the Veseri river, after having
crossed the Wai Manu and several tributary streams.
The land which we passed over was good and favour-
able for growing cacoa, and both the common and the
Liberian species of coffee. The rocks were mostly
aqueous, but both basalt and agglomerate were noticed
at dill civnt places, particularly in the bed of the Veseri
river.
Veseri is a small village situated on the river of the
same name, about 3 miles towards the interior from
the head of Suva bay. The river is navigable to the
49
village for boats drawing a few feet of water. Near
the village there are nearly 3 square miles of flat land
and low hills on which sugar cane could be profitably
grown. My friends at Suva on hearing that 1 had
arrived at Veseri, came in a boat for me at midnight
and took me to their home, where I once more expe-
rienced their hospitality and kindness. Two days
after my return to Suva the steamer formerly alluded
to called, on her monthly trip, and I returned to Levuka
via the western and northern parts of Viti Levu.
On the way a short stay was made off the mouth of
the Navua, where a mail was landed, and then pro-
ceeding past Serua, we anchored for the night in
Nadroga harbour. The next place of call was off
the Ta^vu river, up which, with a small party, I went
8 miles in a rowing boat. Here we saw a fine planta-
tion of tobacco belonging to an enterprising settler,
in whose garden we saw some rare exotic trees
which, with much care and at great expense, had been
introduced from Australia, and they seemed to be
doing well. On the river there are about 6 square
miles of fine cane land. The country in the vicinity
is hilly, covered with long grass and dotted with screw
pine trees. The soil is not bad, but it has been much
injured by the fires which periodically burn up the
grass. We next stopped at Nacli, where there are
numerous settlers, who, instead of growing cotton as
formerly, now give their attention to the cultivation of
maize. Some of these settlers are raising stock, and
getting up herds of Angora goats, for which the place
seems well suited. The sugar cane would flourish well
here, but there are no mills to crush it or to make sugar.
Off the mouth of the Ba river the steamer stopped for
about an hour, then proceeded to Nananu Islands and
Q2019. D
50
Viti Leva bay, anchored for the night, and arrived at
Levuka the next morning.
The northern parts of Viti Levu are very moun-
tainous. These mountains are covered with grass,
and here and there with screw pine trees, standing
singly or in small clumps. Patches of forest were
seen on the tops of a few hills, and in the valleys
between them. Fringes of mangroves were noticed
on the shore, and the large mud flats at the mouth of
the Ba river were covered with them. Occasional
groves of cocoa-nut trees were seen growing behind
the mangroves, and settlers' houses and native villages
were frequently noticed. At Nananu an energetic and
enterprising gentleman is breeding Angora goats,
rearing silkworms, and has a promising plantation of
young cocoa-nut trees. At Viti Levu bay there is a
colony of settlers who are mostly growing maize. The
^learner leaving at daylight, I had no opportunity of
landing at this place, but I believe there is a large
area of flat land both here and on the Ba river, as well as
in other parts of the northern coast of Viti Levu,
extending from Nadi to Tova j>eak. From reliable
information on this subject, I estimate the area at
about GO square miles. It is good cane land, and I
have no doubt that coil'ee would grow in many parts
in the mountains at a short distance from the coast.
Good pasturage abounds all along this coast, on which
sheep, horses, and cattle could be reared in numbers
mor« ■ than sumc Lent to meet the requirements of the
group.
From Levuka I went in the steamer on its next
trip to Bua. This is a large province or district in
tb.' south-west ofVanua Levu. The sandalwood, for
which this districl was once famous, has almost dis-
51
appeared, only a few trees remaining. Bua is said
to be one of the driest parts in Fiji, but according to the
observations made by Mr. Holmes at Delanasau in this
district, the rainfall varies from 80 to 159 inches in
the year, the average for the last six years being 118
inches.
I remained here for a week in the hospitable home
of one of the settlers, during which time I made several
journeys to what still remained of the forests, collecting
about a hundred different species of flowering plants
and ferns which I had not met with in other parts of the
group. At Kadi there is a thriving coffee plantation
which is being gradually extended. There are about
15 square miles of alluvial land — river flats, and low
hills, which would grow sugar cane well, and still
leave space to increase the cocoa-nut trees nearly
a thonsancl-fold. The country is covered with long
grass and reeds and pieces of forest, especially in the
.ravines. Fires in this, as in so many other parts of
Fiji, do great injury to vegetation and to the soil.
One of the settlers is getting up a herd of fine cattle,
which will help to keep down the rank grass, and so
tend to prevent fires from spreading. The river here
is navigable for several miles inland, and the alluvial
flats bordering it are very extensive. I left Bua and
journeyed to Wai-Nunu, across the southern point of
the island. On the way I stopped for a night at the
village of Warei. The path was in some places rough
and wet, and in the latter part of its course it went
along the banks and bed of the Wai Levu to Warei.
In every district of Fiji there is a Wai Levu, i.e., a large
river or stream. In most parts of the country passed
through, the soil was good, and suitable for growing
the common coffee and that of Liberia. The m ountaiu ,
D2
52
valley, and water scenery at Warei was very fine
indeed. The inhabitants of this village were the
poorest I had seen in the group, and their houses were
in a very dilapidated condition. The burying ground,
as at many other plaees in Fiji, was close to the village.
In many instances the Fijians attend most carefully
to the graves of their departed friends. These resting
places are commonly parterres planted with choice and
gay flowering plants, ornamental trees and shrubs.
Not unfrequently the graves are covered with mosaic-
like patterns made of variously coloured pieces of coral
and pebbles, gathered one by one at immense labour,
and during, perhaps, many years. From Warei I went
to Koro Levu, a village on the south-east coast of the
island. The route for some distance was through the
mountains and then along the coast, the path being
well made, but in many places steep. The soil in the
mountain district was of good quality and capable of
growing coffee. Near the coast it was rich, and sugar
cane, cacoa, and Liberian coffee would thrive well
upon it. There is ample space on the coast for an
indefinite extension of the cocoa-nut tree.
At Koro Levu the Commissioner of Lands was
holding his court, — conducting a patient and pains-
taking inquiry into the claims of settlers to lands in
the district purchased from the natives previous to the
ceding of the islands to Great Britain, — " Crown
grants " or title deeds being given in all cases where
satisfactory proof could be shown.
The locks noticed were principally aqueous and ag-
glomerate, but some of a basaltic character w r ere also
Been. There now being several large estuaries to
cross bei ween Koro Levu and Wai-Nunu, I was advised
to tike ;i canoe, and on arriving at the latter place I
53
found a cutter, which a much respected gentleman
had sent from Savu-savu hay to take me to Taviuni.
At "Wai-Nunu the land is fertile, suitable near the sea
for cocoa-nuts (for which there is space for more exten-
sive planting), and further inland for sugar cane,
Liberian and common coffee, and cacoa. On getting
under weigh we tacked out of the river, but the wind
being against us we landed again in the evening.
Next morning we endeavoured to beat through the
pass in the reefs, but the tide had turned, and the wind
being still contrary, a furious sea was raised in the
pass, so that we were obliged to proceed inside the
reefs, rounding Kobalau point, and reaching Savu-
savu in the evening. The gentleman to whose kind-
ness I have just alluded took me to his home, and a
gale setting in soon after, I was detained there for a
few days. On leaving my kind entertainer, I travelled
along the south coast of the island to Vatu Kali, near
" Fawn Harbour," arrangements having been made
for the cutter to follow. There is quite a number of
settlers on this part of the coast, who have fine planta-
tions of cocoa-nuts and thriving herds of cattle. To
several of them I was indebted for hospitable enter-
tainment. All this coast is well adapted for growing
the cocoa-nut tree, which, although now abundant,
could be vastly increased. The soil is invariably
good, and in places on the sides of the low hills and
on the flat lands sugar cane would thrive admirably, as
also the two kinds of coffee already so frequently
mentioned.
The rocks noticed were agglomerate, basalt, and
coral, the first and last particularly common. We
left Vatu Kali in the cutter at daylight, but,
owing to calms and light winds, and these contrary, it
54
was evening before wo arrived at WairiM in Taviuni.
There T was soon at homo with old friends and acquain-
tances, who accompanied me in my journeys through
Taviuni.
Tin's is a very fertile island, and capable of producing
large quantities of sugar, coffee, and cocoa-nuts. There
are considerable numbers of the latter, but there is
room for twice as many. I visited several coffee plan-
tations which have lately been made, especially at
Gali, and at Messrs. Smith and Aitchinson's, and
Forest Creek. These give great promise of success.
At na Sali Levu a large sugar estate is in full
operation, and the mill is capable of making from
two to three tons of sugar per day. The sugar cane
grows to perfection here, and in the island there is
room for more than thirty such mills. These would
be also well supplied with canes by the numerous
settlers, who for want of mills are now debarred from
turning their attention to this cultivation, and are at
present at a loss to know what to do with their land.
Some of them grow maize, cocoa-nuts, or cotton, and
;i few rear stock ; but all would prefer growing canes, for
which bo1 h soil and climate are well adapted, and which
would pay better than any other article of production.
The area of the island is computed at about 217 square
miles, of which about 45 near the coast could be
planted with eocoa-nuts, 45 with sugar cane, and 45
with coffee, leaving 82 square miles for forest reserves
and waste land.
When pas^inu' through the village of Somosomo
Taviuni. we called on Tui Cakau, Roko of Cakau-
drove province. II<> was absent; had in fact gone
with the men of the village to plant their yams, and
iperintend and assist with the work.
55
On seeing a meke 3 a native dance or play, accom-
panied by songs, I was surprised to observe the exact
manner in which time was kept by the numerous
actors. It is the result of practice and many patient
rehearsals from youth upwards. In walking through
this village we came on a party of about 30 people,
who, in preparing for a festival, were practising and
reciting the piece which they were to perform for the
amusement of their friends. An old man, lying on
his side on the grass, but in full view of the actors,
was watching the rehearsal, criticising and correcting
the faults of the actors.
The province of Cakaudrove includes Taviuni, ex-
tends in Vanua Lavu to Savu-savu bay, and includes
all the land surrounding Natawa bay. The Hoko
keeps a smart schooner yacht of about 70 tons, and a
cutter, also manned by Eijians, to carry him to different
parts of the province, or of the group, either on busi-
ness or pleasure. The Fijian s are owners of numerous
rowing and sailing boats, and small vessels of all
sizes, up to that of the schooner just mentioned.
These craft have, in a great measure, taken the place
of the large sea canoes, for which these islands were
once noted. The Pijians are hardy if not careless
sailors of boats, and, direetly or indirectly, they are
good customers to the excellent boat builders of the
group. These, to some extent, have taken the place
of the native canoe builders.
The Eijians have quite a number of athletic games,
among which may be mentioned, throwing the tinika
or reed, wrestling, and one not unlike skittles in some
respects. In this game, pillars about a foot in height
are built with small stones, and in such a manner that
they fall when slightly touched. Several of these
56
pillars (the number varies from 3 to 12) are built near
each «>t her in a row, or in half a circle. The player
stands at about 30 yards from the pillars, but with
his back or side to them, and tries, by throwing a
stone from behind, to knock the pillars down. Two
others place themselves between the pillars and the
player, one on each side, but a few yards from the
direct line between the player and the pillars, and
with stones endeavour to strike the stone thrown
by the player on its passage from him to the pillars.
This they frequently succeed in doing.
Throwing the tinika, or reed, is practised in the
village Mara (square), or on a piece of ground
smoothed for the purpose. The tinika is an oval-
shaped piece of heavy wood, about 4 inches long
and 2 inches in diameter at the thickest part. A
reed or cane about 3 feet long is inserted at the small
end, and the game is who will throw or shoot it
farthest. The thrower, balancing the reed as in
throwing a spear, — his arm stretched at full length,
steps backward a few paces, then rushing forward
gii i - the throw the weight of his body as well as his
strength of arm, and shoots the reed straight out with
meat force to a distance of over 300 yards, in-
cluding the distance which the reed skims along the
ground.
Returning to Levuka the steamer called at the
island of Mokogai, on which cocoa-nuts are well re-
presented, and nearly all parts of which could be
turned into proves of this useful and valuable tree.
Copra is extensively made there, and there is also
" plan! ' for extracting fibre from the husk of the nuts.
Rheep arc bred iu the island, and several good flocks
<f tin in w.re seen grazing on the hills.
57
With respect to communication with the outside
world, Fiji is not badly off. Twenty-four hours after
the arrival of the mail, via San Francisco, at Sydney,
a fine steamer of 1,000 to 1,500 tons, belonging to the
Australasian Steam Navigation Company, leaves far
Levuka. The voyage occupies seven or eight days.
The steamer remains at Levuka nearly a week, and
leaves with the mails for England in time for them to
be transhipped to one of the Peninsula and Oriental
steamers at Sydney. The mail service is once every
four weeks; and for its punctual performance the
Australasian Steam Navigation Company of Sydney
is under contract with the government of Fiji. By the
same contract the company has to maintain the steamer
so often mentioned in the preceding pages to trade in
the group, to carry the mails to the different islands,
to take cargo to and from them, or for shipment on
board the mail steamer. From Melbourne there is
direct steam communication to Suva and Levuka
about once every five weeks. The owners of this
steamer have also a smaller one which collects cargo
at different places in Viti Levu. From Auckland in
New Zealand several sailing vessels, schooners for the
most part, arrive at frequent intervals. (Since the
above was in print regular steam communication has
been established between Levuka and Auckland, and
also between Levuka and Tonga — Friendly Islands.)
58
CHAPTER II.
Flora.
The Flora indigenous to Fiji, as far as known,
amounts to 1,086 species of flowering- plants, and 245
species of ferns and allied plants. Of these numbers
035 species (620 flowering plants and 15 ferns) have
as yet been met with only in Fiji. This number (635)
of endemic species, out of a total of 1,331 species of
ferns and flowering plants, is very large, and seems
strikingly peculiar. But this is, in a great measure,
owing to the fact that of all the Polynesian islands,
the Fiji group is the one which is botanically best
known. When botanists are better acquainted than
they are at present, with the Flora of the interior of
the Samoan, New Hebrides, and other Polynesian
islands, it will be found that many of the species,
which are now considered Fijian, have a wide distribu-
tion throughout Polynesia. Notwithstanding all that
has been done by the United States Exploring Expedi-
tion, Milne, Dr. Harvey, Dr. Seemann, and myself, to
make the flora of Fiji well known to Science, much
y<t remains to be done, and I regard the discovery of
new plants in the group as far from being exhausted.
To the number of indigenous flowering plants
described in Seemann' s Flora Vitiensis, which included
all the plants 1 1 Kit had been discovered in Fiji up to
fche dale of its publication, 3 natural orders, 34 genera,
:iih1 :;(;:; species were addedby my visit. Of ferns and
allied plants, I discovered 15 new species, beside find-
ing in Fiji 20 other species, which had not previously
been Pound in Polynesia. Thanks to Mr. Baker, of
59
the Royal Herbarium, Kew, the ferns I collected in
Fiji were most carefully and critically examined.
The flowering plants have not yet been so carefully
compared. Therefore, I anticipate that when these
363 species of flowering plants, which I at present
regard as new, are minutely examined and compared
with old and well known species, the number will be
reduced about 20 per cent., or to 300 species. Thus,
one of the results of my visit will be that I have
discovered, or added to the known Flora of Fiji 300
species of flowering plants and 35 ferns.
The largest orders are Legurninosse, which is repre-
sented, in the group, by 36 genera and 62 species ;
Hubiaca3 by 23 genera and 122 species ; Orchids by
25 genera and 49 species ; Euphorbise, and Urticacese
20 genera each, and species 79 and 52 respectively.
About 130 species are common to Australia, but the
greater number of these are found in many parts of
the old and new worlds. Many American plants have
found their way to Fiji through, it is presumed, the
islands lying between that continent and Fiji,
Several weeds, common in other countries, have
also found their way there, through the agency of
civilized man. Some of these are now liis pests,
destroying his pasturage and giving a great amount of
trouble and expense in keeping his plantations clean.
Most of the sea-shore plants found in Fiji, have, as
might be supposed, a wide distribution. Several
species of what are known as sea-shore plants are also
found far in the interior of the largest islands of the
group. The most noticeable were cerbera odallam,
afzelia bijuga vesi, heritiera littoralis, calophyllum
inophyllum clilo, ippomoea pes-caprse, kleinhovia
hospita,pandanus odoratissimus, cynometra grandiflora,
60
cassytha filiformis, cocoa-nut, terminalia catappa
I a cole, paritium tiliaceum vaud'uia. The presence
of the cocoa-nut and cerbera in the interior as well as
the dilo and tavola may be owing to the agency of
the natives. On the other hand, several species of
land plants are found on the sea- shore, on the edges of
tidal estuaries, and salt water marshes. The branches
of large trees overhanging the sea may frequently be
found covered with epiphytes, or orchids, ferns and
lycopods, which all apparently rejoice in an occasional
bath of salt water spray. None of the mountains of
Fiji are high enough for an alpine flora to exist.
Many of the plants found on the tops of the moun-
tains are also found near the level of the sea, even on
the shore. On the other hand, sea level plants may
also be found on the tops of the hills. But in the one
case, the number of sea-level plants decreases in the
ascent to a higher elevation, and in the other, mountain
plants become fewer on approaching the sea. Except
in favoured situations, plants whose habitat is in the
warm sheltered plains and valleys, present a stunted
and weather-beaten appearance, when met with on
the higher mountain sides. This in general may be
owing to the scantiness of the soil as well as exposure
to the winds and cool air. The plants of the moun-
tain tops, when found near the sea still occupy a posi-
tion similar to their native one, viz., the top of a
ridge. But when these plants are found at low
elevations, the majority of them are lank, drawn up,
and lean on others for support, plainly indicating that
the climate is too hot for them.
One or two species of cinnamon, litsea, alstonia,
paphia, polystichum, blechnum, calophyllum, podo-
carpuSj calanthe, pavetta, selaginella, and a great
61
variety of mosses are most commonly found on the top
of the mountains. Astelia, calophyllum burmannii
cinnamomum pedatinervuin, gnetuni genom, podo-
carpus cupressina kau tabua, podocarpus vitiensis
dakua-salusalu, dacrydium elatum leweninini, dam-
mara vitiensis dakua, kentia exorrhiza niu soria or
tiiu scar, and some other palms may be found thriving
on the sides of the mountains, from the sea-shore up
to elevations of 2,500 or 3,000 feet, i.e., when in
situations sheltered from prevailing winds and in soil
favourable for their development.
The windward side of the islands, where most rain
falls, is one dense tangled mass of vegetation, through
which it is impossible to force a passage without great
exertion. This is especially so on land that has at one
time been cultivated, but abandoned for some years.
Land thus abandoned is at once overgrown by reeds
gasau, wild sugar canes vicos, sponia orientalis, and
sponia velutina, homalanthus populifolia, tree ferns,
large growing climbers, &c, all contending for the
mastery. This goes on until perhaps the growth is
checked by fire, which burns up the grass, the leaves of
the sugar cane, &c. The hardier kinds of exogens
that have been least injured by the fire, start into new
and vigorous growth and ultimately take possession
and give shelter to hardy ferns, zingiber zerurnbet,
and climbing freycinetias. The tender ferns follow,
accompanied by shade loving alpinias, heliconias,
pipers, palms, cyrtandras, &c. Along with these,
young plants of podocarps, conifers, calophyllums,
&c, make their appearance. After a few years, — for
growth is rapid in the moist warm climate of Fiji, — the
woods begin to assume the appearance of a virgin
forest, with a dense undergrowth of ferns and shrubs.
62
The branches of the large trees are covered with
orchids, lycopods, ferns, and loranths, while their
gigantic trunks are covered with hymenophyllunis,
and trichomanes, climbing pipers which give them the
appearance of columns clad with ivy. Such epiphytes
as pothos scandens, and other orontiads make the
tr Links of the trees look like pillars clad with creeping
caladiums ; branching freycinetias, &c, make the
trees to which they cling appear like tall columns of
grass, the tops of which are loose and wave backwards
and forwards in the breeze. Sometimes the trunks
may be seen all aglow with the bright flowers of a
creeping medinilla, adoruing as with wreaths the tree
to which it clings, and adding beauty and variety to
the agreeable though somewhat sombre shade of the
forest below, while its leaves are seen mingling with
those of the tree, far above. A break in the forest
displays festoons of white flowering clerodendrons
hanging from the top of a tall tree, while a
small gap will be covered over like a trellis with
the beautiful carruthersia and sweet smelling jas-
miniums.
Looking down upon the forest, from an eminence,
it presents one mass of dark green foliage, the uni-
formity of which is broken by the delicate fronds of
i lie ire*.' fern, and the waving leaves of the palms,
and varied by the gay flowers of ipomceas and other
climbers which have overtopped the trees and are
spreading themselves out to the light and air.
Tin' leeward side of the largest islands is an open
country, — undulating hills covered with grass and
ferns, with patches of forest in ravines and tops of
mountains, — places which have escaped both the
ravages of fire and the migratory cultivation of the
63
Fijians. Such patches are comparatively few. In
them the hard -leaved myrtaceae abound. Numbers
of noko-noko casuarina equisetif olia ; the gumas,
acacia richii ; geitonoplesiums and a species of hib-
bertia, along with the open grassy aspect of this part
of the country, give it a striking resemblance to some
parts of Australia. The dark foliage of the kau
kuru, casuarina nodiflora, in dense masses, has the
sombre aspect of a pine-clad mountain side. While
the presence of screw pines and sago palms (cycas
circinalis) in clumps or single specimens dotted over
the country, give the landscape a somewhat antedilu-
vian aspect. Acres of land are covered with ferns,
the " bracken," pteris esculenta, gleichenia oceanica,
and nephrodium molle.
The " turmeric " plant (curcuma longa, cogo of
the natives) abounds in this part of Fiji, and hill-
sides may be seen covered with it, mingled with the
yaka (pachyrrhizus angulatus), and the yabia s Fijian
arrowroot, several varieties of tacca. In most of
the dry districts, several species of the gardenia
abound, their white flowers adorning the landscape
and perfuming the air with their odour, which, in the
open atmosphere, is refreshing and pleasant. The
"candle nut" (aleurites triloba, lemci), is the most
common tree in the ravines. The hoary grey colour
of its young leaves, contrasted with the dark green
of the older ones, and the adjacent tree ferns, gives
a pleasing variety to the whole. These localities
are the habitat 'of the scented woods of Fiji, the
sandalwood, the bua-bua and the savoo. On rocky
clefts the oderiferous and pretty bua, fagraea ber-
teriana, and several species of drymispermums abound,
64
the last in company with blue, white, and red
flowering eranthemums.
The sides of streams in these dry districts are
shaded by such trees as heritiera litoralis, afzelia
bijuga, terminalia catappa, kleinhovia hospita, cyno-
tnetra grandiflora, cibicibi (pr. thimbi-thimbi), bam-
boos, calojniYllums, eugenias, &c. Away from the
immediate vicinity of the streams these trees are
deciduous, calophyllums and eugenias excepted.
That pretty and fragrant white flowering genus of
small trees, dolicholobium, is found from the sea-shores
to the tops of the highest mountains in both wet and
dry districts. Numerous specimens of gay flowering
hibiscus of several species also abound. Along with
these red leaved and green leaved dracaenas and
crotons, with their leaves spotted yellow, green, and
red may all be seen. Shady woods, in both dry
and wet localities, are bright with the flowers of
several sorts of small shrubs (ophiorrhiza), and the
larger, but not less pretty flowers of mauy species of
psychotria.
The rocky banks of many streams are adorned with
the cream coloured flowers of lindenia vitiensis, im-
pregnating the air witli their sweet odour. The
slender, half-climbing shrub, mussaenda frondosa,
with its golden flowers, large white phylloid calyx
.Hid green leaves, decorates many an acre of waste
grassy Land, where the orange coloured dove and the
n-d and the green parrots flit to and fro.
Ferns abound everywhere, — from sea level to the
highesf mountain tops, — in the hottest and coldest
parts, — in sunshine and shade, — on the poorest and
richesl soils, and in driest and wettest parts. They
65
are of all sizes, from the tiny hymenophyllum, scarcely
one fourth of an inch, to the gigantic alsophila, tree-
fern, having a trunk 50 feet or more in height,
surmounted by a crown of beautiful feathery-looking
fronds. The number of distinct species and varieties
of ferns and allied lycopodiums and selaginellas in-
digenous to Fiji amounts, as yet found, to 246. I
have no doubt the number will be raised to about
300 species when every part of the islands has been
explored. Some of these ferns are magnificent. The
dicksonia moluccana has fronds of a triangular shape,
measuring 12 feet in length and 10 feet in breadth
at the base. One of them would cover an area of
60 superficial feet. This gigantic leaf is supported
by a stipe or stalk 6 feet in length and 3 inches in
circumference. As a contrast to this may be mentioned
the tiny fronds of the flimy ferns, hymenophyllums,
and some species of trichomanes, scarcely an eighth of
an inch in size. The delicate fronds of a few species
of the last named genus attain a height of 2| feet.
Most beautiful they look when seen with the rain drops
hanging like beads of crystal from the points of their
finely-divided fronds. Not less pretty in this respect
are hymenophyllums javanicum, and dilatum, gene-
rally found on the sides of streams, shaded from the
sun by the overhanging banks and lofty trees.
The davallias found in Eiji are worthy of notice.
However, the most beautiful of them are hymen-
ophylloides, and blumeana. The latter is, without
doubt, the prettiest fern in Eiji. Both are found on
the loamy banks of streamlets in densly shaded woods.
Their fronds seldom exceed 1 foot in height, are of
a pale green colour, finely divided, and their mem-
Q2019. E
66
branous texture gives them a pellucid crystalline ap-
pearance, especially when they are covered with dew.
In the dry parts of Eiji, one of the silver-leaved ferns
(cheilanthes farinosa) may occasionally he found grow-
ing in the crevices of the rocks, and its pretty relation,
cheilanthes tenuifolia, which, with pteris ensiformis,
and pteris geraniifolia, abounds in dry grassy fields,
and comes up after the rains. While festoons of lygo-
dium reticulatum wa Tealou (holy creeper), and tassels
of lycopodiums phlegmaria, and nummuiarifolium,
to 5 feet in length, hang from almost every tree, the
surface of the ground below is clad with one dense
mass of beautiful selaginellas, some of which attain a
height of 4 or 5 feet.
There are not many different species of orchids in
Fiji, but the various members of several genera are
well represented, and are not unworthy of notice. A
species of calanthe, having a spike of white flowers
spotted with red, which grows among grass, is common
and beautiful. Another species, of the same genus,
with snow white flowers, abounds in shady forests in
wet and dry localities ; and a third, having beautiful
orange coloured flowers, sessile and clustered together
on a short spike like the flowers of a hyacinth, was
found in one place near the top of Voma Peak.
Several species of dendrobium are worthy of culti-
vation ; these are mohlianmn, tokai, Gordoni (n. sp.
Le M. Moore), and Ilornci (n. sp. Le M. Moore).
The latter was found in the island of Rabi, grow-
in- on a tree on the sea-shore, where it was occa-
sionally bathed in the salt spray of the breaking
waves. Dendrobium Gordoni was found in Samoa,
growing on a pandanus tree in a swamp, in the island
67
of Upolu, and also on an old dakua tree (damniara
vitiensis) near the Blackwater, {Wai nl Loa,) in the
interior of Viti Levu.
Among parasites there are three species of loranths,
and two curious species of apphylous viscums (niisle-
toe). The loranths are very common in Fiji, and
are found on nearly every ivi tree (inocarpus edulis).
The flowers of the loranths are beautifully co-
loured, red and purple, yellow, and yellow and
purple. The hydnophytum is a curious and inte-
resting genus of rubiaceae. Eour species of this genus
have been discovered in Eiji. They are epiphytal
plants, and are generally found on the trunks or
branches of trees. Their favourite position is between
the forks of the branches, where they sit most securely.
The part that may be termed the stem or trunk of
the plant, is cone shaped, flat or concave at the base,
adapting itself to that part of the trunk or branch on
which it sits, and rounded more or less at the top or
apex. The largest seen was about a foot in diameter,
and 15 inches in height. The stem is composed of a
soft, spongy, fibrous substance, dark coloured on the
outside, altogether, not unlike a large purple turnip.
The black fibrous roots are generally emitted from
the edges of the stem at its base, and cover, like a
net, the bark of the tree to which they firmly adhere.
Prom the top of the stem rise the branches bearing
the leaves and flowers. The latter are either white
or yellow, and sometimes an inch in length. The
stem is a favourite residence of vicious black ants
which make their nests in it, and hollow it out into
numerous passages, from which they issue in hordes
at the. least disturbance. Balanophora is a curious
root parasite, and the ivaloa, or black creeper
E 2
68
(rhizomorpha), is an interesting fungus to the Euro-
pean, and a useful one to the Fijian.
There are comparatively few genera of palms indi-
genous to Fiji, hut the several species are numerously
found and well represented. The niu sou (areca or
kentia exorrhiza) is a tall graceful palm, frequently
rising to a height of SO feet in favourable situations.
It is most common in low-lying districts, hut may
he found on the tops of the highest mountains. Prit-
chardia pacifica, the niu masie of the Fijians, and
the fan palm of the settlers, although not rare,
cannot he said to abound in a natural or wild
state. It is a handsome, and in some respects a
useful species. Some species of ptychospermum,
the cage-cake (pr. thangethake), and the balaka,
are very handsome trees. One or two species of
the genus attain the dimensions of the niu sail,
while others do not exceed the size of a stout
cane. These latter are found in the dense virgin
forests of the wettest parts of Fiji, and are common
from sea level ta the mountain tops. A kind of sago
palm (sagus vitiensis), soyo is not uncommon in
some of these islands. It is most abundant on low-
Lying swampy land, on the hanks of the Navua
and the Wai Manu rivers in Viti Levu, and occa-
sionally met with in other islands. It attains a
height of about 35 feet, and is a strong growing
picturesque tree. The inflorescence is a large terminal
panicle, 10 feet or so in height, and about 7 feet in
diameter at the base. After flowering and bearing
seed the tree dies.
Although the leeward side of the large islands is an
open grass country, yet there arc comparatively few
kinds of grasses indigenous to Fiji. However, the
60
species that exist are well represented. The paucity
of species may be owing to the fires which annually
sweep over the dry districts, burning up all the
herbage that springs up during the wet season. The
yasau or reed (eulalia japonica), is by far the most
abundant, covering whole sides of hills and some-
times descending into the flat low lying lands. An un-
named species, the drauka, although indigenous and
not rare, is generally found cultivated. Sugar canes
dovo (saccharum onicinarum), are common ; both wild
and cultivated varieties. The wild varieties grow
in dense brakes on the rich alluvial flats and along
the sides of small rivers and streams. They frequently
grow to a height or length of about 20 feet, with a
diameter varying from one-fourth of an inch to an
inch. They are of various colours, green, white, or
red, and some varieties are striped like a ribbon. The
juice of some of the varieties has a faint sweet taste,
but that of the majority is insipid and watery. Their
characters at once suggest them to be the plants from
which the cultivated varieties of the sugar cane have
descended by improvement on successive sorts from a
distant period. Improvement on them will be tried
in the Botanical Gardens at Mauritius. Such experi-
ments while interesting to botanists will be of great
importance to growers of sugar cane. Bamboos, of
which there are several kinds, are numerous. Lemon
scented grass caboi, [cymbopogon refractus, and
perhaps another species] is abundant in many places
of some of the islands.
There are very few species of sedge in Fiji, but
like the grasses the various sj)ecies are plentifully
represented. They are generally confined to swamps
over which fire sweeps annually in the dry season,
70
destroying all the vegetation dry enough to burn, and
exterminating the annual and the tender kinds.
In arboreous vegetation, Fiji has many tine speci-
mens. Although none of the trees attain the dimen-
sions of the mammoth trees of California, nor the
gigantic size of some Australian eucalypti, yet they
are splendid examples of their respective kinds. On the
Tai Levu coast a tree of barringtonia speciosa, vutu,
when measured at 6 feet above the ground, was found
to be 33 feet in circumference of trunk. The trunk
was about 12 feet in length, the loftiest branches were
not more than 40 feet from the ground, but so wide
spreading that, although the points of the branches
had been lopped off, they still covered an area of
about half an acre. The charred trunk (half of the
trunk was burned) of a dilo tree (calophyllum ino-
phyllum) growing on the shore at Rabi measured
7 feet in diameter, by a length of 12 feet. The head
of the tree was proportionately large, and over-
hanging the sea. Some magnificent trees of c'tbi-
cibl (cynometra sp.), vesi (afzelia bijuga), and vaivai
(serianthes myriadenia), were seen in the moun-
tains of the same islands. The trunks of a few
of the first named would give an average diameter
of 3 feet on a length of 10 feet ; those of the second
21 feet on a length of 30 feet ; and the third 2 J feet
on a length of 20 feet. Equally good samples of
these lives may be seen in other parts of Fiji. On
the b.-mks of the Tamavua river, in Viti Levu,
there is a tree of dakua (dammara vitiensis) nearly
T ,n feel in height. Its trunk, when measured at
f; feei above the ground, was found to be 25 feet
in circumference. At about 20 feet from the ground
the Dunk had been broken, and is now divided into
71
a number of upright growing shoots, each of which
has the dimensions of a tree of more than medium
size. In the mountains of Taviuni are many
fine specimens of the damanu (calophyllum bur-
manni) and dilo-dilo (calophyllum spectable, of
the U. S. exploring expedition), as well as other
kinds whose dimensions would equal either of the
cibicibi, vaivai, and vesi at Kabi. Trees of that size
are by no means rare in the virgin forest of Yiti
Levu and Vanua Levu, and the dahua (dammara
vitiensis), dahua saJu-salu (podocarpus vitiensis),
and lewinmmi (dacrydium alatum), may be added
to the list of large trees common in these two
islands, but not in any of the other islands of the
group. In the forests which lie between the wet and
dry districts, and also in the mountains in the wetter
parts of the latter, trees of the largest size are most
numerous. These forests are composed of prime
timber trees, such as dahua, dahua salu-salu, lewini-
nini, damanu, hau tabua, and several other sorts,
whose trunks will give an average diameter of from
1-J to 3 J feet on a length of about 40 feet.
The ivi or " Polynesian chestnut " (inocarpus edulis)
is an interesting tree. It is rather larger than an
average sized English elm, frequently growing to a
height of about 80 feet, and in the outline of its head
and habit it is not unlike that tree. Its trunk is a
curiosity. It is deeply fluted or rather buttressed all
round, and a section of it would not be unlike a cart
wheel, minus the felloes; the buttresses, like the
spokes, springing from a central part resembling the
nave. The diameter between the extremities will
range up to 20 feet, that of the central part (nave)
perhaps a foot. The daiva (nephelium pinnatum)
72
is another noble tree found in all parts of Fiji. It is
deciduous, and when the young* leaves unfold them-
selves, their peculiar reddish green colour gives a
pleasing variety to the landscape. Before the leaves
fall off they change from green to a reddish brick
colour.
Several kinds of large fig trees baka (ficus) are
found in Fiji, notably one at Bureta in Ovalau,
another on the Rewa in the interior of Viti Levu,
and a third between the native towns of Vose Dam
and Wai Basaga on the Siga Toka river. The last-
mentioned tree serves as a sort of half-way house
between the two towns. Its trunk is hollow, and
could shelter 20 or 30 men. "Wayfarers kindle fires
in it to cook their food and keep themselves warm
during the night. These large fig trees commence
life as epiphytes, and ultimately strangle the tree
which supported them. A seed has been dropped,
perhaps by a bird, on a branch in the fork of the tree;
the position being favourable, the seed germinates,
and a tender radical, like a thread, grows down the
side of the trunk, clinging to the rough bark for sup-
port, till it reaches the ground. At the same time a
stem grows upwards from the seed. This root increases
yearly in size and strength, so docs the young plant,
which .-ciids, annually, instalments of roots to the
ground, in the same way as the first. The thread-like
mots rapidly grow thicker after they enter the ground,
and resemble perpendicular columns all round the
trunk of the tree. Another set of roots wind round
these, Like a many-folded net. These roots do not
displace one another. They unite perfectly, as by
affinity, \\ henever they come in contact, ever tighten-
ing their hold on the trunk of the tree, which, at last
73
succumbs under the strain, decays, and its place is left
hollow. Some other kinds increase by dropping root-
lets from their branches, and spread until they cover
large areas of land, and it is impossible to say, with
certainty, which is the original from whence all have
sprung.
The flora of Fiji is essentially tropical. A few species
belonging to a temperate one may however be met
with on the mountain tops. Its general character is
Polynesian, with some affinities to the flora of Austra-
lia and the Malay Islands on the western and north-
western sides of the group. These resemblances
decrease towards America on the east, and the northern
parts of New Zealand on the south.
An alphabetical list of the plants will be found in
the appendix, and also a list of the genera under the
order to which each belongs.
74,
CHAPTER III.
Fijian Food Plants — Method of Cultivation —
Vegetables. — &c.
Tee instincts of the Fijian arc agricultural, and it
may be said that he finds a use for all the vegetable
products of his country, and has a name (sometimes
several) for each individual plant. His knowledge
of their use is seldom at fault, and they provide him
a never failing supply for all his needs. Of food
plants lie cultivates yams, dalo or taro, sugar cane,
//' dracsena sp., bread fruit, &c. With great aptitude he
selects from the forest portions of land best adapted
for the several kinds of crops. The effects of nature
on the vegetation which surrounds him are his guides
to the season for digging, planting, and gathering in
his crops. Of cereals he cultivates very little, maize
for Government taxes being the chief.
The people live principally on yams, dalo, bana-
nas, bread fruit, with fish, fowls, pork, and several
kinds of greens. Their drink is generally water, or
the milk of the cocoa-nut. When tired, or on fes-
tive occasions, they use agona or Jcava. The yam,
uvi, is their staple food; they have about 20 diffe-
rent sorts under cultivation. Some of the varieties
are very fine, mealy, and free from fibre, like a
good potato. The tubers of some of the kinds do
not exceed two or three lbs. in weight, but those of
one or two sorts weigh as much as 100 lbs. in weight.
The Fijians say that the yam thrives best in hard or
rough, unprepared ground. This may very probably
be owing to the ground being new and rich.
75
The trees having been felled, and their roots cleared
out of the ground, and the grass, &c., burnt off, plant-
ing commences when the drala tree (erythrina indica)
begins to flower, in the month of July or August,
according as the season is late or early. All hands
assist in planting. The soil is thrown up into small
m ounds, buke, from 3 to 5 feet apart. On each
mound a small yam, or the crown of a large
one is planted. Should the ground be flat, open
drains are made to carry off the water, or the ground
is thrown up into beds with ditches between, and the
yam mounds formed in rows on the beds. The stems
of the yams are supplied with canes to climb upon.
The canes are generally laid horizontally, supported
by forked sticks stuck in the ground, or by the tops
of the mounds. The roots or tubers are ready for
digging by the beginning of March ; the drying of
the stems indicates that the tubers are ripe. When
dug, the yams are stored in airy sheds erected on
the fields. These sheds are constructed of bamboos
set upright, and the roof made waterproof by a
thatching of grass. After being stored, the yams are
turned over occasionally ; the young stems are rubbed
off those that have started growth, and all the decaying
ones are removed. They are used -boiled, roasted, or
steamed, the larger ones being cut in pieces, and the
smaller ones cooked whole.
There are two kinds of dalo, land and water da to,
j ast as in India there is mountain and swamp rice.
The land dalo is most commonly met with in the
wettest districts. In fact, like mountain rice, it will
only grow in places where the rainfall is great, and on
land from which the water has neither drained, nor
evaporated after the forests have been cut down.
70
To prevent too rapid evaporation, a few trees are left
growing on the land selected for the dalo. To pre-
pare the ground for dalo, the trees are felled and
burned, and the ground cleared from roots of grass
weeds, &c. The plants are put down in rows from
2 to 3 feet apart, and less is allowed from plant to
plant. Holes about 9 inches in depth are made in
the ground with a planting stick, which, before being
pulled out, is well shaken to harden the sides of the
hole, prevent the ground falling in, and water from
passing freely through the soil . This hole catches a
considerable amount of rain water, as it runs off the
ground, and generally retains it during a protracted
drought. Besides keeping the dalo moist, the depth
at which it is planted prevents it throwing out suckers
at the top of the tubers (conns), which it has a
tendency to do when planted near the surface. The
part planted is a thin piece cut from the crown of the
tuber, with the leaf stalks attached, — the leaves being
removed to prevent exhaustion. The Fijians seem
to be aware of this, and in transplanting the masi
(broussonetia papyrifera), bread fruit, &c, they re-
move the leaves when lifting the plant. The only
care bestowed on the land dalo after planting is to keep
down weeds, and this weeding is generally done in
wet weather, lest the ground should be too suddenly
exposed to the drying influences of sun and air.
The place selected for growing water dalo
is generally the bottom of a valley, or any place
where water is at command. This plant, like rice,
requires a constant supply of fresh water. Not
a little labour and ingenuity has been displayed
by the Fijians in making aqueducts, often miles in
Length, over ravine and hollow, to carry a supply of
77
fresh water to these plantations. Sometimes the hill
sides are terraced for it, as is done for paddy or rice
in some parts of Ceylon. Of course, they are unac-
quainted with the use of the spirit-level, and the level
must have been obtained by digging and allowing the
water to follow. This would indicate the highest
point to which the water would rise. In making
the retaining walls for the beds and terraces on the
hill sides, a good deal of labour has been bestowed.
One bed follows another in succession, the fall from
a bed to the one next below it varying from 4 inches
to several feet, according to the steepness of the site.
The beds also vary greatly in size. The settlers call
them " dalo or taro patches." As in the case of yams
and land dalo, these beds, after a crop or two has
been taken off them, are allowed to lie fallow for
several years, in order that the land may regain its
fertility.
When the land is to be re-cultivated, the grass,
&o. is cleared off the surface, and either burned or
thrown aside ; the aqueducts and retaining walls are
put in order. The ground is dug and the surface
levelled, — water being let on frequently for a trial of
the level. The dalo is then planted in the same manner
as the land dalo above described, only that the plants
are generally put down at a less distance apart. The
dalo grows best in a heavy stiff clay soil, and generally
takes from 10 to 12 months to reach maturity. The
decaying of the leaves indicates that the tubers are
ripe. The tubers vary in weight from 1 to 12 lbs.,
if they have been well grown. The average weight,
however, is from 4 to 6 lbs.
They are eaten either boiled or roasted, and are st'archy
and very nourishing. The natives prefer eating them
78
cold rather than hot. The dalo, along with some sweet-
ening' matter, frequently forms the chief ingredient in
the native vakalolo, or puddings. The young leaves,
boiled and served like spinach, are an excellent vege-
table. Like the corms, they are extremely acrid
when raw, hut the acridity is removed by the heat
when cooking.
There are about 18 different varieties of the dalo
cultivated in Eiji. They differ from each other princi-
pally in the size and colour of the leaves and leaf
stalks. Some of the varieties are very handsome plants,
deserving a place in any collection of plants for hot-
house decorations. The natives interchange the tops
for planting from one district to another, from a cold
district to a warm, from a Avet to a dry, and from one
kind of soil to another. The Fijians know, by expe-
rience, that these changes are beneficial to the dalo
plant, and that a larger and better crop is obtained than
by constantly cultivating the same sort in the same
district or kind of soil. When the "tops" are ready
for planting, before the ground is in proper order to
receive them, they are preserved by partly immersing
them in water, generally in some place where they are
shaded from the sun.
Although the Fijians are well aware of the benefit
derived from manure when applied to then' "pet"
sugar caneSj they do not in general make use of it for
any of their crops. In selecting a piece of land for
growing their yams, &c, they are generally correct as
to the kind of land best adapted to the purpose, but as
in the choice of tin- situation they seem to be moved
by fancy. They have a Large area to chose from, and
tin spol selected may be as far as 5 or G miles from
llic town wliciv they live. Not because there is no
79
land suitable for the purpose nearer, hut apparently
merely to gratify a whim, or faney. Then- time is
mostly at their own disposal. A kind of temporary
dwelling is erected close to the selected land to which
they remove with their families during the season for
clearing the land and planting the crop. After this
is completed, they return to the town (Koro), and
occasional visits are made to the plantation for the
purpose of weeding, &c, and to see how the crops are
growing. The common people generally assist the
chief in the heavy part of his agricultural labour,
clearing the land, &c, and the poorer people are
aided by their wives. The latter have to carry home
from the fields all the yams, canes, &c, the men evi-
dently thinking such labour beneath their dignity ; or ,
more likely, they are debarred by custom from helping
the women.
Their cultivation is migratory. They seldom take a
crop of the same piece of land for two successive years,
except in well watered districts, when a crop of land
dolo may be found succeeding one of yams, or the
reverse. One crop, however, is the rule. The land is
then abandoned for an indefinite period, until its
fertility is restored. When such a system of cultiva-
tion prevails, a large area of country is required to
supply food to a comparatively small population. In
the elevated parts of the windward districts, little
injury is done by the unwooding of much forest land
annually for plantations — an equal extent being
annually abandoned. After an abundant fall of rain,
so rapid is the growth, that the land thus abandoned
is speedily covered by a dense growth of trees. In this
way a kind of balance is effected, provided that upon
such land, in after years, fire is prevented from entering
80
and destroying the trees which are grown on it. This,
unfortunately, occurs too often, as the low-lying and
miss-covered hills on the windward side of Ovalau,
Vanua Levu, Viti Levu, and other islands testify.
This lias, also, heen the cause of unwooding the leeward
parts of Viti Levu, and Vanua Levu, the consequence
of which is that these districts are often weeks with-
out a shower, and the land is parched by drought, and
rendered almost barren. In short, it is apparent that,
with a dense population to support, and the annual
requirement of new land whereon to grow food crops,
if this system of agriculture be not abolished it will
bring ruin on the whole country. In the cultivation
of yams and dalo, or in the management of a canoe
on a rapid river, the .Fijian could give a lesson to a
more civilised being ; but, for the general welfare of
the country, it will be necessary to teach him another
system of agriculture, by showing him that by the use
of manure, crops of the same sort can be taken off
the same land for a succession of years. The intro-
duction of cereal food, as rice, flour, corn, &c, for the
use of the people, would help greatly to alter the
present vicious system of cultivation.
In digging and preparing the soil, forming aque-
ducts, &c, theFijians seldom use any other implement
than a pointed stick made of some hard and tough
wood, and the hands. Even now the spade or hoe is
seldom used, but they are becoming more common than
formerly ; and t lie use of these and other implements
will in time prevail. The native jnan of digging is as
follows. The men provide themselves with a digging
stick each, and by repeated blows of these make holes
round a piece of ground of about 2 feet in diameter ;
then by using the sticks as levers this piece of soil is
81
turned over on its side, or upside down. Boys follow,
and break up these lumps by blows from short sticks,
pulverizing the soil with their hands.
Among native food plants the banana may be
ranked after the yam and dalo in order of merit. This
is more especially the case in the interior of Viti Levu,
where the people have not so many cocoa-nut trees
as those who live on the coast, and in the smaller
islands, where the cocoa-nut abounds. Even then the
bananas are largely used for food, roasted (when
green), raw (when ripe), also cooked with cocoa-nut
milk and the juice of the sugar cane, as a vakalolo
or pudding. Banana plantations abound everywhere,
and extensively so in Colo, i.e., the mountain districts
of Viti Levu. They are planted along the sides of the
road to shade the traveller from the sun, sometimes
forming avenues miles in length or more. The fruit
on these trees is tabu, that is forbidden to travellers.
The tabu is invariably respected by the natives.
Bananas are planted in rows, and the trees are
put down at about 8 feet apart, and the same dis-
tance is allowed between each tree. Suckers from
the sides of old roots are used as plants, the leaves
being cut off before planting for the reason already
mentioned. The soil in the place where the young
tree is to be planted, is dug in a circle of about 3
feet in diameter, and to the depth of 2 feet, and well
manipulated. The young trees bear in about two or
three years after planting. These plantations are fre-
quently formed on land that has yielded a crop of
yams or dalo. The latter is sometimes planted along
with bananas, whose leaves, as the natives say, shade
it from the sun, or more correctly they shade the
ground, and prevent a too rapid evaporation cf mois-
Q 2019. F
82
ture. Bananas are extensively exported, but the
supply is considerably short of the demand. The
leaves of the banana are often used as plates for
serving food upon, as tablecloths, and also for wrap-
ping material. When used for the latter purpose, the
mid-rib is cut close to the leaf, which is passed several
times through the flames of a fire to make it tough
and pliable. Thus treated, the leaf does not split
readily. The leaves of the dalo are also used for the
same and similar purposes, for which they are pre-
pared as the banana. The stems of the common
banana yield a fibre scarcely inferior to " Manilla
hemp" (musa texilis), but it is not extracted. An
abundant supply of it could be obtained from such
a country as Fiji, where bananas are planted on
a large scale as food to the inhabitants and for ex-
portation.
Next to the above-mentioned food plants comes the
bread-fruit (artocarpus incisa) which is a most use-
ful as well as a highly ornamental tree. It sometimes
attains a height of 50 feet, but the average is from
30 to 40 feet. In general its trunk will measure
about 15 feet to the first branches, with a girth of
3 to 1 feet. It is a horizontal branching tree, with a
cone-shaped head. The leaves of the young trees are
sometimes 2 feet in length, and from 12 to 15 inches
in width. Those of the older trees are little more
than half that size. They are covered with rough
hairs, which makes them disagreeable to the touch.
Some of the varieties have leaves deeply lobed, and
those of some others arc almost entire. The fruit of
some of these varieties weighs as much as 9 lbs. ; that
of others does not exceed 1 or 2 lbs., and 4 or 5 pounds
may be reckoned the average weight throughout the
83
group. They are hi general cone-shaped, flattened at
the base, or speriod. The quality of some of them is
excellent, dry and mealy like a potato ; that of others
is watery and insipid. They are either baked or
boiled, and eaten alone, or with pork or fish. Some-
times they are made into puddings, or buried under
ground, and made into a mandrm, i.e., native bread.
At all periods of the year there are some of the
varieties in fruit, but the fruit is most abundant from
the middle of February to the middle of April. In
some of the native towns the trees are abundant,
and groups of 20, or more, may frequently be seen
scattered over land which had been cultivated. Large
numbers of the trees were destroyed in the wars that
constantly occurred between different tribes, — the first
acts of an invading force being to destroy the food
plants and fruit-bearing trees of the tribe invaded.
One or more of the varieties of the bread-fruit
bear seeds, but the most of them are barren. It is
doubtful whether these seed-bearing trees are varieties
of the artocarpus incisa, or if they do not form another
species of the same genus. The wood of the bread-
fruit is used for some purposes by the Eijians, but it
is not so good as that of the " Jack " (artocarpus in-
tegrifolia) or the artocarpus hirsuta. It is soft, light
brown, with parallel veins of a reddish colour. When
wounded, the tree yields a large quantity of white
sticky juice, which is used for caulking the seams of
canoes. The tree is propagated by suckers attached
to a portion of the root from which the sucker has
sprung. The young trees grow rapidly, and in the
third or fourth year after planting they reach a height
of about 16 feet, and begin to bear fruit. They have a
picturesque appearance peculiar to themselves of which
F 2
84
a minute description would convey a very indifferent
idea.
The sweet potato, kumara (ipoma?a batatas or
batatas edulis), is cultivated to a small extent by the
Fijians, and largely by the settlers, as food for their
labourers. There are two varieties, one of which has
tubers of a reddish colour, those of the other are
white. Both of these are excellent, and it is surprising
that they are not a favourite article of food with the
natives. These and yams were selling in Levuka last
year at from £4 to £6 per ton, according to quality,
and 5 or 6 tons can be produced from an acre of land.
Besides the above-mentioned plants which are cul-
tivated for food, there are others of less importance,
either growing wild in the forests or found in a semi-
wild state in many places. One of these is the
via mila (alocasia indica). It is found growing by
the sides of streams, at the edges of dalo patches
and marshy places throughout Fiji. It attains a
height of about 10 feet when full grown, and has a
handsome, striking appearance. The stem, the part
eaten, is frequently about 4 to 6 inches in diameter.
It is, if anything, more acrid than the dalo, and is
only eaten in times of scarcity, or, for a change. In
well developed plants, the leaves are about 3 feet
long, and from 2 to 2J broad at the base, smooth, and
of a dark green colour. In Seychelles, where the
plant is common, and by a curious coincidence called
"Via," the large, fleshy succulent stems, or im-
mense elongated conns, are used, when boiled, for feed-
ing pigs. The via kau, or via kana (cyrtosperma
edulis) is sometimes cultivated in swampy places
like dalo. Although in general use there is not
much of it eaten ; neither is it so good or so highly
85
esteemed as the latter plant. Both the via mila and
the via kana are eaten cither hoiled or roasted.
Sometimes they are grated, and along with other in.
gredients made into madrai. The poisonous qualities
are driven off by the heat in cooking.
The daiga (amorphophallus campanulatus) grows
wild in almost every part of Fiji. The root, the part
used for food, is a flat tuber about 6 inches broad and
3 or 4 inches thick. The plant is herbaceous, and
the flower appears before the leaf; it has only one of
each. The flower, on well developed plants, is about
6 inches in diameter, and rises about 9 inches above
the ground. It has a curious and grotesque appear-
ance. The spathe, or outer floral covering, is brown,
and is supported in the centre by the spadix, around
which the spathe, when undeveloped, is closely wrapped,
— much in the same way as an unexpanded bell- shaped
tent is wrapped around the centre pole. As the flower
attains maturity the spathe expands like an umbrella,
but the margin is rolled inwards. Thus strengthened,
the margin is prevented from falling and covering the
spadix which, by the expansion of the spathe, is ex-
posed like the handle of an opened umbrella. The
individual flowers are sessile, and arranged closely
together round the spadix. When the flowers reach
maturity, they emit an offensive carrion-like odour,
which may be smelt at some distance. Though hidden
among long grass, the position of a plant of the
daiga, when in flower, is quickly ascertained by the
offensive smell and the swarms of flies that hover
about, it. As the individual flowers reach a mature
stage one after another the disagreeable smell is kept
up for a week or ten days. The leaf, which is hand-
some and pinnatifidly divided, pcdate-shaped, is from
86
9 inches to a foot in length, and about 18 inches in
breadth, of a pale green colour, blotched with purple.
The foot stalk is about 3 inches in circumference, and
is covered with soft fleshy spines. The root of the
daiga is ripe when the leaf dies down, in which con-
dition it remains until the flower appears above the
ground the next season. It is considered nutritious
although very acrid, and it cannot be used until
cooked. It is said to aid fermentation, and is mixed
with some other roots and fruit in making Fijian
bread mad red.
Another esculent root yaka, or ica yaka (pachyr-
rhizus angulatus), is also found wild in all parts
of Fiji, but not so common on wooded as on open
grass land. It is a herbaceous plant, bearing tri-
foliate leaves and white flowers tinged with blue.
The roots, or tubers, are the edible part of the plant.
They grow to a size of about 3 feet in length and
3 or 4 inches in diameter. They have a flat, sweetish
taste, and are very stringy even when well cooked.
The tavoli (dioscorea nummularia), yields an es-
culent root which, when in season, is much relished
by the Fijians. It grows wild in the forests, and
abounds in some parts of Taviuni, Ovalau, &c. The
root is about the size of a large carrot. It is gene-
rally eaten roasted, and, although a little fibrous,
i^ dry and mealy, and its taste is not unpleasant.
The kaili (dioscorea bulbifera) is another yam, which
is found growing wild in the woods. It is not so
much ]•( dished as the If roll, and requires to be
soaked in water to remove its acridness before being
boiled or roasted.
The masawe (dracaena sp.) is largely cultivated
by the Fijians, and may be seen growing round the
87
houses in every native town. The root is large
and soft, and full of a sweetish juiee resembling
stick-liquorice in taste. It is either chewed by
itself, or used by the natives to sweeten their vakalolo
— puddings.
The cassava, or tapioca plant (jatropha manihot),
has been recently introduced. Single plants and
occasionally small plantations of it were noticed in
the vicinity of several native towns, and it was seen
growing like a wild plant in many places in the
forests. Its presence there is most probably owing
to 'cuttings of it having dropped out of a bundle
while being carried through the forest. It grows
readily from cuttings of the stem. These cuttings
are generally about a foot in length, and are laid flat
in the ground at the bottom of a hole about 6 inches
deep, and then covered with soil to the depth of an
inch. As an article of food, the root is not much
relished in Fiji either by the natives or Europeans.
In Seychelles it is otherwise. There the roots are
frequently eaten raw, and by law, the planters, sup-
ply them for food to the labourers on the cocoa-
nut plantations. The young roots when boiled are
served as a vegetable and are very palatable, but
become hard and fibrous as they grow old. The
roots are also grated into a kind of meal, from which
cakes are made (much the same as oatcakes in Scot-
land). These cakes are to be found on almost every
table in Seychelles.
The ivi nut, in its season, is also largely used as
food throughout Fiji. When grated, it forms one
of: the ingredients of Fijian madrai. The kerne] is
roasted or boiled in the pod, and eaten either cold
or hot. Its taste is not unlike that of the chestnut,
88
but to some stomachs ivi nuts arc very indigestible,
even when well masticated. The nuts of the tavola
(terminalia catappa) the " Country almond " of
India, is also extensively eaten during its season.
It requires no cooking, and has a pleasant almond-
like taste.
In order to preserve the produce of the earth from
one season to another, or to guard against want during
a season of drought, or a scarcity of food from any
cause, the Eijian digs a circular hole in the ground
4 or 5 feet deep, and lines it with leaves. The hole is
then filled with bread fruit,bananas, dalo, daiga, kawai,
a kind of yam, &c, all thrown together or placed in
layers. The whole is then thickly covered with leaves
and earth. The mass soon begins to ferment, and
emits a strong, sour, and very nauseous smell, which
may be felt at a distance of more than half a mile on
the leeward side of the pits. In a short time the
different materials form a tough doughy looking
lump. A portion of this is taken out as required, and
baked on hot stones or steamed in an earthen pot.
Such is the materials from which the Eijian bread,
madrai, is made, — certainly not inviting to the palate
of a European. In this manner some kinds of food
arc kept from one year to another.
So few potatoes are cultivated in Eiji, either by the
natives or by settlers, that they are scarcely worth
mentioning. That they would grow well, especially
in the dry parts of Eiji, and during the dry and cool
season, cannot be doubted. The settlers have not
time to devote to their cultivation, and the natives
are still ignorant of it. At present small quantities
of them are imported from Australia and New
Zealand, chiefly by dealers, and sold to the settlers.
89
As regards European culinary vegetables, Fiji is
badly supplied. In fact vegetables grown in the
colony are scarce and of bad quality, and seldom
found on the table of any of the settlers. One or two
market gardens have been established by Chinamen in
the vicinity of Lcvuka ; but even there, where there is
more demand for vegetables than in any other place in
Fiji, the supply is meagre, and neither fruit nor vege-
table markets exist. From the gardens of these China-
men, cabbages, lettuce, parsley, shallots, radishes,
French beans, pumpkins, and sometimes carrots, tur-
nips, and cucumbers may be obtained, but the quality is
invariably bad. This is owing to bad cultivation, — not
supplying sufficient water to the growing vegetables,
and cultivating them at wrong seasons. This will be
remedied in course of time, as the demand becomes
greater, and the people get acquainted with the
method of cultivating the different kinds, the best
season for planting, and the kind of soil best adapted
for each.
Between vegetables peculiar to the tropics in the
warm wet season, and those belonging to the tem-
perate regions in the cool dry season, Fiji ought to be
well supplied with salads, pot vegetables, and fruits
of home growth all the year round.
Parsnips, rhubarb, long carrots, brussels-sprouts, and
brocoli will not likely succeed well in Fiji. But turnips,
cauliflowers, celery, kohl-rabbi, salsifa, red cabbage,
broad beans, would succeed well during from three to
six months of the cool season of the year. Beet-root,
green peas, spinach, cucumbers, pumpkins, endive,
chicory, lettuce, turnips, and radishes, could be on the
table during from six to nine months of the year ; while
potatoes, asparagus, cabbage, short carrots, onions,
90
radishes, green maize, tomatoes, brinjals, french
beans, water cresses, ought to be plentiful during
from nine months to all the year. The want of any
one of these vegetables during the above periods,
of good quality and cheap, must not be attributed to
either the soil or climate of Fiji. In New Cale-
donia, and Mauritius, where soil and climate closely
resemble those of Fiji, all the above-named vegetables
grow during the periods mentioned respectively.
The Fijians have of late taken to the cultivation of
some European kitchen vegetables, notably cabbages,
which they hawk on the streets of Levuka. A small
garden planted with them was seen at na Sau-coka,
in the interior of A r iti Levu. The garden belonged to
the native minister of the " Koro."
Were the Fijians granted a supply of vegetable
seeds to begin with, and taught how to cultivate each
different kind, it may justly be inferred from the
liking which they have for field and garden work,
that they would soon be able to supply the community
with good and cheap vegetables.
The Fijians are fond of green vegetables, and culti-
vate several plants to supply them, in addition to
those that grow wild. They generally eat them with
pork and fowls, or fish. In heathen times, several
kinds were eaten with bakolo, or human flesh. No-
tably the malawaci (tropins anthropophagorum),
tudano (omalanthus pedicellatus), borodina (sola-
num anthropophagorum), and kurilagi (a pecu-
liar variety of dalo (colocasia antiquoruni). The
vegetables commonly used are the young leaves of
the tlalo. Like the root they are very acrid, and
require to be well cooked, in order to remove their
acridity and make them wholesome. The boro nil
91
yaloka ni gata (solarium nigrum, var. oleraceum),
is also used by the Fijians, but not much by the
settlers. It generally grows on cultivated lands.
The bete or van van ni viti (hibiscus manihot), is
much used and extensively cultivated in several
districts by the natives. It has a taste not unlike
spinach.
At Kabi, the leaves of a plant belonging to Phy-
tolaccaccae were cooked and served as a vegetable
daily at dinner. They are superior to the bete, and
equal to spinach. Indeed, some consider them
superior to it. Taukuku ni vuaka (portulaca ole-
racea), a weed growing on all waste land, is also
much used by the natives. The young undeveloped
flowers of the ^vaulo (flagellaria indica), a grami-
neous climber common in all forests throughout the
colony, are also in great request during their season.
Another gramina, the drau&a t a plant somewhat
resembling the sugar cane, is cultivated largely in
some parts of Piji. As a vegetable it is much re-
lished by the Pijians all over the group. The un-
expanded panicle of young flowers is the part eaten.
If taken when young and tender, properly cooked,
and served with butter as sauce, it is reckoned, by
some, not inferior to asparagus. I regret that my
specimens of this plant were not in fit condition to be
named. They were not sufficiently advanced, and
from the demand for the flowering shoots, specimens
in full flower could not be obtained. To obtain these
in Eiji, a tabu or prohibition to touch, would re-
quire to be put on a few plants. Besides the above
plants, the young leaves of several kinds of ferns are
used as pot vegetables. These are litobrochia incisa,
alsophila excelsa, or bala-bala, in times of scar-
92
city, angiopteris evecta, and asplenium esculentum —
oto. The last, from choice, is used most exten-
sively at all seasons and on all occasions. In general,
the Eijians hoil the vegetables, drain off the water,
and serve them in the same way as spinach. Some-
times they are baked along with pork, fowls, or fish,
at other times they are used as ingredients in fowl or
fish soup. These soups are often well prepared and
nicely flavoured.
93
CHAPTER IV.
Fruit.
Fruit is plentiful in Fiji. Bananas, as already
mentioned, abound everywhere. Of these musa trog-
lodytarum, soaga, is said to be found wild in the
woods. I saw it only in plantations, or in land which
had been cultivated. As an article of export, to the
Australian colonies and New Zealand, bananas deserve
to be extensively cultivated. Practically, the market
for them is unlimited, and their cultivation, which is
not attended with much expense, will be remunera-
tive. The same may be said of pine aj>ples, the
balawa ni papa lag I (or foreign pandanus) of the
Fijians, which thrive remarkably well in Fiji. The
soil and climate are in a high degree suitable for their
cultivation, and they are produced in perfection. The
demand for them in the Australian and New Zealand
markets is great; the supply is scanty and unequal
to the demand. A few are grown by the Fijians, but
the cultivation of them is by no means general
throughout the group, — the gardens of the settlers
excepted. The cultivation of the pine apple and
good bananas, with perhaps oranges, limes, and lemons
by the natives, at easy distances from the ports where
the colonial steamers call, should be encouraged bv
Government, which might take the fruit from the
natives as part of their taxes. Two or three varieties
of the saddock, moli kana, have extended to all
parts of Fiji; so also has the lemon, moli hum
9-4
kuru, and the lime, but the latter is not so plenti-
ful as the two others. Moli huru huru was seen at
some places planted as a "fightmg fence" around
some of the native towns. In many places the two
former, in a wild state, are more common than any
otlur kind of trees, and especially so between Suva
and Kaluha, where the air was loaded with the smell
of the decaying fruit.
The orange, moli ni tahiti, is not so common as
any of the above, still, it is not rare. Eewa is noted
the excellent quality of the oranges, which used
to 1>>' exported to Australia before they began to be
exte isively cultivated in New South Wales. As the
orange ripens in Fiji at a different season from
Australia, ii might still be exported there, and espe-
cially to Xew Zealand, where the climate is too cold
to grow them in the open air. Auckland, New
Zealand, is about as near Suva and Levuka in Fiji as
it I- Sydney, and from the climate and cheapness of
labour, oranges could be grown at a less expense in
Fiji than in Australia. At Namosi, in the interior of
Viti Levu, oranges are abundant, and their quality
cannot be excelled by those of any country. Dr.
Seeman left seeds of the orange there with Mr.
Danford, known in Fiji as "Harry the Jew," and
him instructions as to the treatment the trees
required The healthy look of the trees, and the
large crop- of fruit that they bear annually, give
evidence that these lessons have not been neglected.
The appearance of young trees in other districts,
particularly in the neighbourhood of Sura, indicates
plentiful crop- of oranges in future years. But to
insure this result some attention must be given to
the trees, which,, like some other things in Fiji, are
95
generally left to nature to grow or die. If the shad-
dock and lemon are not indigenous to Fiji, it is diffi-
cult to say when, or hy whom they were introduced.
Large trees of the former, with trunks from a foot to
18 inches in diameter, may be seen in all parts of
Fiji, even in the centres of supposed virgin forests.
Although lemons and limes abound in Fiji, no lime
juice is made, but the abundance of the raw material
suggests the making of that commodity largely and
cheaply.
The daiva (nephelium pinnatum), is a kind of
litchi, but its fruit is inferior in quality to that of the
latter. When ripe it is about the size of a pigeon's
egg, not unlike it in shape, of a yellowish green
colour, and covered with soft fleshy spines. The taste
is flat, sweet, but not unpleasant. The aril, sur-
rounding the seed and lying between it and the
skin, is the part eaten. In some varieties this part
is about three-eighths of an inch in thickness. It
is soft and glutinous, and has a pale yellow semi-
transparent colour. There are many varieties of the
tree, and good hopes may be entertained that the
quality of the fruit will be improved by careful cul-
tivation. The fruit of some varieties of the clawa is
nearly twice the size of the litchi ; and a fruit bearing
variety, combining the size of the daiva with the
flavour of the litchi, would be an important addition
to tropical fruit. Owing to the seeds germinating
readily wherever dropped, forests of the daiva may be
seen in many parts of Fiji, — most commonly on land
that has once been cultivated. The reason for this
is that the growth of these young trees has not been
prevented by that of other trees previously established
on the soil.
96
Eugenia malaccensis (Malay apple), the kav'tka of
the Fijians, is another indigenous fruit. There are
several varieties of it, but those most esteemed are
the white and the red fruit bearing kinds. It is a fine
symmetrical growing tree, frequently attaining a
height of tO feet, and its dark green foliage contrasts
beautifully with the bright red colour of its large
flowers and fruit. The fruit is borne on the branches
in clusters of three or more together. It has a
flavourless watery taste to a European, but is much
relished by the natives, who besides eating the fruit,
use it as an ingredient in their madrai, and the
flowers as an ornament for their hair.
The wi (sponias dulcis) also abounds in many
parts, and is most common about the native towns.
It is a sparsely and horizontally branched, deci-
duous tree, frequently growing to a height of 70
feet. The fruit, which is much relished both by
the natives and Europeans, is of a yellow colour when
ripe, very juicy, and has a pleasant sub-acid flavour.
It is about 8 or 9 inches in circumference, and some-
times weighs nearly a pound when well grown, but it
is full of wiry fibres that make it disagreeable to
persons who have tender gums. The settlers make it
into tarts, and also eat it in its natural state. The
tree is more common, grows better, and its fruits have
a finer flavour on the coast than on the elevated land
and wei climate of the mountains.
The tarawau ( dracontomelon sylvestre) is another
Fijian frail bearing tree. It grows to a height of
10 feet, and has a wide spreading head of branches
with bright green pinnated leaves. The fruit is
Bucculenl and juicy, lint the taste is flat and want-
in- in flavour. It is relished only by the natives.
97
Planting the taraioau is, according to Fijian myth-
ology, the occupation of the departed in a future
state.
In addition to these, there are several other kinds
of fruit eaten by the Fijians, but not much re-
lished by Europeans. They are the lose lose (fiscus
vitiensis), the balawa (pandanus caricosns), the wild
bramble loagodra-godra (rubus tiliaceons), the bakoi
(eugenia richii), the sea (eugenia sp.), the naica-
nawa (cordia subcordata), the vutu hana (barring-
tonia excelsa) ; in fact, to a hungry Fijian scarcely
any kind of fruit, animal, bird, fish, or snake comes
amiss.
Water melons are abundant in Fiji, and are much
esteemed both by Fijians and settlers. The bottle
gourd is also common, but not the sweet melon, which,
from some cause, is entirely neglected. The carica
papaya (the papaw, mamme apple, or mummy apple,
— as the settlers wrongfully persist in calling it),
is not uncommon throughout the group. The Fijians
eat it raw, but by Europeans it is cooked and eaten as
a vegetable or a preserve. " The leaves possess the
" property of making tough meat tender ; and the
" seeds are an efficacious vermifuge for children." —
(Seemann.)
Of other exotic fruits that have been introduced
into Fiji, and thrive there, may be mentioned
the following, viz., the guavas, psicliums pomiferum,
pyriferum, chinensis, and cattleyanurn. The first
two are now quite naturalised in Viti. They are
most common in the vicinity of European settlements,
whence they will ultimately spread throughout the
colony. On the rocky soils near Levuka they have
grown into a dense scrub in some places. The last-
Q 2019. G
98
named two are of recent introduction, and it is not
long since they began to bear fruit, but they will soon
be equally at home. The little black-fruited psidium
cattleyanum resembles the strawberry in taste, and is
i he best flavoured of the four. The yellow fruit of
psidium chinensis is the least palatable, but it makes
an excellent preserve. Guava jelly is made from the
first two, but there is not so much of it made in Fiji
as in Mauritius and some other countries. The
loquat, or bibassier, has also been introduced, but
at present it is only grown on the coast, where the
climate is too hot for it bearing well. In the tropics
it bears best in elevated situations, where the climate
almost resembles that of temperate regions.
The white and the black fruited varieties of the
mulberry (moras indica) are common throughout
Fiji. Some towns in the interior of Viti Levu are
surrounded with a fence of them. A bank, or wall
of earth and stones, has been thrown up from 4 to
feet in height as a sort of fortification, with a
broad and deep ditch on the outside (frequently on
both sides of the bank). On the top of this wall or
bank, a thick fence of mulberries, lemons, and, in some
places, of barringtonia racemosa and jatropha cur-
cas, lias been planted. The two last chiefly at the
Koros on the coast or low]ands. The hollow trunks
of tret' ferns have been laid horizontally through the
wall, and used as loopholes for the defenders to fire
from. The healthy, thriving appearance of the mul-
berry in Fiji suggests that silk, in the form of cocoons,
miglrl be added to the products of the colony. No
doubi need be entertained about the suitability of the
climate of Fiji for rearing the silkworm, and the
cocoons could be produced very cheaply. " The growth
99
of silk " among the natives might he encouraged by
Government.
The anona squamosa, or custard apple, thrives
well in Fiji, and is now common in the gardens of the
settlers. This augurs well for the success of other
fruit-bearing species of anona.
The grandilla (passiflora quadrangularis) is quite
common, and bears annually loads of delicious fruit.
The pomegranate is not less common, but it does
not bear so freely. The rind is a reputed cure for
dysentery in some countries.
The mango has also been introduced, but so recently
that only a few of the older trees have begun to bear
fruit. No certain idea can be formed as to how the
flavour of the fruit will be affected by the climate of
Fiji. The young trees present a hopeful appearance.
The mango is more prolific and the fruit is of
better quality when grown in a dry climate than in a
wet one, notwithstanding that the trees are gene-
rally larger and healthier in the latter than in the
former. Moist, showery weather is more favourable
to the growth of wood than of fruit. Although in a
wet district the trees may yearly show an abundance
of flower, yet, should a tropical shower pass over
them while in blossom, scarcely a flower will set in
a whole orchard of mango trees. Hence it may
safely be affirmed that the best crops and the finest
flavoured fruit will be produced in the dry localities
of Fiji. The prevalence of either wet weather, or
a cloudy sky, prevents fruit from being well flavoured
m any country.
The alligator pear or avocada (persea gratis-
sima) has lately been introduced, and its success
G 2
"100
may be deemed certain. The same may be predicted
of the jack, tamarind, litclii, longan, &c Regarding
the mangosteen and durian, one cannot speak with
the same certainty, as they are natives of a much
hotter climate than Fiji. However, a trial of both
should be made, and were the trees planted in shel-
tered valleys at a low elevation, where the climate is
moist and warm, the soil rich, constantly moist, but
well drained, the results would be hopeful.
Moderate success has hitherto attended the cultiva-
tion of the fig tree (ficus carica) in Fiji. It is in
every settlers garden, and frequently bears a fair crop,
but the fruit is not so well flavoured as in a temperate
climate.
Considering that some varieties of the peach do
well in Mauritius and New Caledonia, there can be no
doubt that they will grow equally well in Fiji, espe-
cially if the varieties are obtained from either of these
colonies, or the northern parts of Queensland.
Strawberries also trrow fairly well in the above
islands, and it may be expected that they will prosper
in Fiji, particularly in the cool parts of Viti Levu,
Vanua Levu, and the mountains of Taviuni and
Ovalau. The climate of Fiji is in no part cold
enough for the common raspberry, but another species
(rubus rosrefolius), common in the forests of Mau-
ritius and Seychelles, would thrive well in Fiji, and
prove a valuable addition to the fruit-bearing plants
of these islands.
Tin' climate of Fiji is not favourable to the culti-
tion of the grape-vine. The plants grow fairly,
her,, me evergreen, and occasionally bear a few bunches
of Mnall fruit. The climate is not too hot for the
vine, and the wanl of success is due to the plant not
101
getting a season for rest. This might be remedied by
planting it in those parts where rain seldom falls ;
the drought would have the same effect on the plant
as the cold weather of a temperate climate. However,
the cultivation would require to be carried on entirely
by irrigation, and the roots kept under the complete
control of the cultivator. In this way two or three
crops could be got in the year from the same plants,
as at Jaffna, Ceylon.
Such fruits as the apricot, plum, cherry, apple,
pear, gooseberry, currant, &c, will not grow in Piji,
as the climate is far too hot for them.
102
CHAPTER V.
Obnamentax Plants — Starch — Spices — Clothing
— Mats — Pans — Cordage.
In the vicinity of their dwellings, arid in their
burying- grounds, the Pijians cultivate several kinds
of flowering and foliage plants. Of the latter were
seen several kinds of fine crotons, 20 varieties of
beautiful draccenas, an immense number of coleus of
nearly all colours, the admirable amaranthus salici-
folius or tricolor, the pretty alternanthcra parony-
choides (in several varieties), called by the settlers
"Fiji grass," three or four kinds of acalyphas, two
or three varieties of panax, near p. fruticosus, dani-
dani, one or two species of euphorbia, a dwarf variety
of hibiscus tricuspis, vaudra, two kinds of orna-
mental grasses, one having reddish, and the other varie-
gated (green and white) leaves. Among flowering
plants were noticed some gay varieties of hibiscus,
near h. rosa-sinensis. Several double flowering sorts
of hibiscus are cultivated ; one, with bright scarlet
flowers about 6 inches in diameter, was very conspi-
cuous. Balsamins, gompliernas, and marvel of Peru,
:ommon favourites of the natives. The fragrant
white trumpet flowering brugmansia suaveolens, a few
varieties of roses, bauhinia richardsoniana, &c., are
also much coveted by t lie Pijians. The natives like
»wee1 smelling flowers growing near their
houses, Mich a- the bua (fagraea berteriana), one
103
or more species of drymispermum and lcucosmia,
locally termed sinu dina, sinu danu, and niataiavai, and
the peculiar scented uci salu-salu (evodia liortensis),
whose leaves when crushed emit a pungent odour
resembling peppermint. With the flowers of the
bua, sinu dina, mataiavia, makosoi (cananga odorata),
bua siu (lindenia vitiensis), some species of dolicholo-
bium, buabua (guettarda speciosa), jasminums, wa
vatu, the vasa (cerbera lactura), and hoyas, iva-bibi, tlie
Fijians make wreaths, necklaces, sashes, and belts or
bands. The sashes go over the shoulder, cross the
chest, and pass under the arm, and the belts are worn
round the body. The flowers are strung upon a
cord, made from the bark of the vau (hibiscus tilia-
ceus), or a bit of a tough climbing plant, and the
corolla tube of one flower is inserted into the corolla
tube of the flower next below it. Sometimes chaplets
wreaths, &c, are made of the wa kalo (lygodium
scandens), and the fronds of other delicate ferns,
artistically woven or plaited together, along with
the red leaves of dracsenas, and those of odoriferous
plants as the cevuga (amomum augustif olium) , or
a graceful mixture of foliage and flowers, is not un-
frequently used.
The native, in ornamenting himself with gay
flowers, seems to study his own taste, and takes
delight in being adorned differently from his neigh-
bour.
They also profusely anoint their heads and bodies
with oil to which a fragrance has been imparted by
the gratings of sandalwood, macoua, the bark of
cinnamomum pedatinervum, and some other species
of the same genus ; — The flowers of the maketa
(parinarium laurinium), makosoi, laga kali (my
104
specimens of this plant were not sufficient to
identify it), leba (eugenia ncuroealyx), the leaves of
a species of litsea, the uci, &c. In a word, every-
thing is used that will impart a perfume to the oil,
but the odours of sandalwood and macou are the most
valued.
In the gardens of European settlers many tropical
fl iwering shrubs and trees, climbers, and ornamental
laved plants are cultivated; by some with care,
taste, and skill. These plants are chiefly cletorias,
hibiscuses, eranthemums, russellias, ipomaaas, dra-
eienas, acalyphas, coleus, alternantheras, gardenias,
roses, &c. Every vessel from Australia, New He-
brides, the Solomon, or Marquesas islands, brings
additions to the collections of amateurs, such as rare
specimens of hibiscus, dracamas, crotons, palms, &c.
The Eijians do not make use of the roto (cycas
circinalis) or the soga (sagus vitiensis) as sago
yielding plants. This is an article they seem to be
unacquainted with, and it has not been made in Eiji
from these plants by any one, Seemann excepted. Prom
the roots of the yabia (one or more species of tacca),
a fecula is made. It is like arrowroot, but darker in
colour, and more nutritive. It is used in the same
way as arrowroot. Those who have tried both prefer
the yabia when they can obtain it pure and clean.
The yabia grows abundantly in all parts of Eiji, but
it is more common in the interior of Vanua Levu than
. other locality visited. The plant is not culti-
vated, but grows freely among grass in almost any
soil. It is herbaceous, and the leaves come up annually
after the wot season has set in. At the beginning of
the cool dry season the leaves turn yellow and decay,
bin the -talks remain in the ground, free from the
105
tubers. At this stage the tubers are iu proper condi-
tion for digging, and the decayed leaf stalks point out
their exact position to the diggers.
Turmeric (curcuma longa), the cago of the Eijians,
abounds in all the islands. Like the yabia, it is her-
baceous, and the rhizomes are fit for digging when
the leaves have died. When prepared, it is called
rerega, and is used for cosmetic purposes, dyeing
garments, &c.
Cassava (jatropha manihot), is cultivated by some of
the settlers for making tapioca, but there has not yet
been much of it made. The " plant ,J for grating the
roots and granulating the tapioca, is but recently set up.
Arrowroot of very fine quality is made in one of
the islands, from maranta arundinacea, and a species
of canna which has recently been introduced. Both
plants thrive remarkably well, but the largest yield of
fecula is obtained from the canna. A considerable
area of land on the island of Koro has been planted
with these, and machinery for the manufacture of
arrowroot has been erected there by an enterprising
gentleman. Steam power is used for grating the
rhizomes or roots, and the fecula is dried by heated
air. The estimated yield per acre is said to be about
1,300 lbs. The arrowroot is sent to England,
Australia, and New Zealand. It is cleanly made,
pure, and its quality is not inferior to that made in
any country. Some persons think that the quality of
white arrowroot is inferior to that which has a
slight brown or yellowish tinge. This is a mistake.
Arrowroot when pure is white ; when coloured in the
slightest degree, it has not been perfectly cleaned.
As the quality of white sugar is superior from its
cleanness to brown, so the quality of white arrowroot
106
ia superior to that which is coloured. The value of
the arrowroot exported during 1878 was 776/., in 1877,
500/., and 281/. in 1876.
Three or four species of nutmegs (myristica), called
male, grow wild in the forests of Fiji. Some of
the settlers use the fruit of one of these (myristica
eastancefolia) as a substitute for the nutmeg (myristica
moschata). It closely resembles the latter in size
and shape, and in the colour of its aril, or mace, but
its aromatic properties are not so well developed. A
quantity of them was sent to Sydney, but the Chinese
in that city soon detected the want of flavour, and
there was no further demand for Fiji Nutmegs. It
may be presumed, from species of the genus being
found in the jcolony, that the soil and climate will
prove favourable to the growth of the true nutmeg.
They are undoubtedly favourable. Although proof of
success is yet wanting, no one need hesitate in plant-
ing the tree in Fiji, especially in the sheltered valleys
and hillsides in the interior of the large islands.
None of the native cinnamons possess the grateful
aromatic fragrance of the cinnamon of Ceylon (cinna-
momum zeylanicum), and, consequently, they are of
no value as articles of commerce. Their presence,
however, among the indigenous plants of the colony,
bespeaks a successful issue in the cultivation of the
true species whenever it may be tried. The cinnamon
is n hardy plant, which will thrive in the poorest soils.
There is no doubt of its growing well in Fiji. By
some of the settlers macou is used as a substitute
For cinnamon in seasoning custards, puddings, &c,
liii t, ;it the best, it is a poor exchange.
Tin- clove and allspice will thrive in all parts of
the colony, the sr.il and climate being favourable to
107
them. There are no seed-hearing spice trees in Fiji,
and however well suited these islands may naturally
be for their growth, the cultivation of them will not
be extensive until the trees hear seeds in the colony.
No doubt this is the case with every new species of
plant that is introduced. But while the plants are
growing time is not lost. It gives intending planters
leisure to think. Many erroneous ideas arc exploded ;
a great deal of information and experience is gained
as to the kind of cultivation the newly-introduced
plants require ; kind of soil and situation that suits
them best ; most efficient method of manufacturing
or preparing the produce for market ; and in this way
the enterprise is taken beyond the region of hazardous
speculation or experiment.
The cultivation of ginger (zingiber officinalis) has
lately been tried in Fiji. The plant will thrive ; but
as yet planters are only feeling their way as to its
proper treatment, and the preparation of the produce
for market. There is a native ginger (zingiber zer-
umbet), but it is of no market value, as its rhizomes
have an unpleasant flavour.
Several species of piper (pepper plant), are found
wild in Fiji. None of them yield a product of any
value. The colony is eminently adapted for the
cultivation of the pepper plant (piper nigrum).
A few plants of it have been introduced, and although
the stock can be easily increased by cuttings, igno-
rance as to the cultivation of the plant, and the
manner of preparing the berries for market, will be
a draw-back for some time to come.
/ Piper methysticum agona is grown to some
extent by the natives (chiefly round their houses),
for making their favourite beverage agona
10S
or kava. When well grown it is a noble, pictu-
resque-looking plant, worthy of cultivation in our
English hot-houses. The root is the part used,
and the plant is easily propagated by cuttings. Of
late, attention has been called to the medicinal pro-
perties which the plant is said to possess, and a
quantity of it has been exported to the Australian
colonies. The Fijians give presents of its roots to
their chiefs, friends, and anyone that they wish to
propitiate. Between them and some of the traders
it has a recognised market value, at which it is bought
and sold, varying according to the supply and demand.
The best quality is grown in the mountains where it
grows most luxuriantly, and in great abundance.
The Pijians say that the bird's-eye pepper or chillie
plant, boro ni papain gl, or foreign boro (capsicum
frutescens), is not a native of their country. If so,
it has long been naturalised, and is now one of the
most common plants in these islands. It bears an
abundant crop of fruit, very pungent in quality, from
which excellent cayenne pepper could be made. It
is largely used by the settlers to give pungency to
curries, sauces, &c. Some kinds of domestic fowls,
such as turkeys, guinea fowls, &c, are very fond of its
fruit, and it is said to give their flesh a pleasant spicy
flavour.
Among the natives, the use of cotton cloth for
8ulvs is annually increasing. Still, their wants in
tin's respect arc to a great extent supplied by the
bark of the masi (broussonetia papyrifera), which
la extensively cultivated for the purpose. The muci-
lage,&c., i^ beaten out of the bark with wooden mallets;
and t he glutinous nature of the fibre serves in a great
measure to join pieces of the bark together till the
109
required size is attained. To strengthen the joinings,
a paste made of yabia, or some other adhesive sub-
stance, is used. The cloth is sometimes made to
a degree of fineness resembling the finest gauze ;
and by being frequently washed and bleached it
becomes perfectly white.
Besides sulus and turbans for the head, mosquito
curtains and hanging screens are made of it. These
screens are used as partitions to divide a house into
compartments. They are printed in various patterns
which, although displaying a good deal of taste in
design, are poorly executed. The colours are placed
on raised forms made of strips of wood, generally of
bamboo. The juice of the laud (aleurites triloba), dogo
(rhizophora mucronata), and kura (morinda citrifolia)
is largely used for this purpose.
A coarse cloth is made, in the same manner as
masi, from the bark of several species oibaha (ficus),
which grow in great numbers in Fiji. It is worn
by the poorest class of the people, and only, when
better cannot be got, by the well-to-do.
The liku is a dress much worn by the Fijians on
festive occasions. It is made of the fibres of differ-
ent kinds of plants. One end of the fibres is fastened
to a band which is tied round the waist, the other
end hangs down over the thighs like a fringe. The
length of the liku varies according to the rank of
the wearer, some of them reaching to the knees,
others only to the thighs. The most fashionable
likus are made from the wa loo, a species of
fungus (rhizomorpha), that grows on decaying trees
in swamps, and prepared leaflets of the cocoa-nut tree
stained black or yellow by mud and turmeric respec-
tively. The fibres extracted from several species of
110
van (paritium tiliaceum, tricuspis, and purpurescens),
arc are also used for Ukus, particularly in the in-
terior of Viti Lcvu. The tough woody branches
and stems of some climbers, beaten into fibres, are
used for the same purpose. The climber from which
the most of these are made is alyxia bracteolosa.
When working, or travelling along a muddy path,
or through long wet grass or reeds, the Fijian doffs
his clean cotton sulu or fashionable Uku, and dons
one of the latter, made of very simple material,
viz., one or two banana leaves, which he fastens
round the loins by their mid-ribs and allows the
blades of the leaves to fall in shreds over his thighs,
A man's lihu hanging on a stick or laid upon a
stone by the side of a stream, is a tabu against
women bathing there ; and if a woman's llku, it is
a tabic against any man going near the place.
Anyone who knowingly breaks the tabu smarts
for it.
The leaves of some species of pandanus (p. odor-
atissimus and caricosus) balaiva and voivoi, are used
for making mats to cover the floors and sleep upon.
The finest mats are made from two species of sedge,
called kauta and ya (eleoeharis articulata and varie-
gata) which grow profusely in swamps. The leaves
are well bleached in the sun before being used.
This renders them tough and pliable, and gives the
mats a yellowish colour when made up.
Fans are made from the fibres of various plants.
Those most valued are made from a single leaf of a
fan palm (pritchardia pacifica), bordered with a strip
of bamboo, to prevent the leaf splitting. The borders
of mats and fans are tastefully ornamented with
("loured wool, feathers, &c.
Ill
Besides for making mats, the above materials arc
also employed in making baskets of divers models.
Different designs are wrought out on the baskets,
by using plain or stained material. The strongest
baskets are made from the split stems of flagcllaria
indica, and the mid-ribs of cocoa-nut leaves ; a strip
from the outer part of these being used. A kind of
ratan (calamus), well adapted for basket making and
all kinds of wicker work, is common in the mountain
forests of Taviuni. As no articles made from it were
seen, it is not supposed to be used for basket making,
or in fact for any purpose. It is a strong growing
plant, climbing to the tops of the highest trees. Its
leaves, divided into leaflets like those of a palm, end
in a spiny tendril, and their mid-ribs and veins are
covered with recurved spines. The stems can be
divested of the leaf-sheaths, which adhere to them,
by steeping in water and exposure to strong sunshine.
Hopes, &c, are made from the fibres of vau
(paritium sp.), JealaJcakaisau (hibiscus diversifolius),
sinu mataiavl (wikstrcemia indica), yaka (pachyr-
rhizus angulatus), cocoa-nut fibre or sinnet, &c.
These fibres are extracted by maceration, beating,
or scraping with a shell. Pishing nets are principally
made from the fibres of sinu mataiavl, and the yaka,
plaited hard like whip- cord. They are as strong
and lasting as those made of hemp. Plaiting sinnet
is a favourite occupation of the Pijians, in which
all can take part.
112
CHAPTER VI.
Timber — Native Houses — Minor Forest
Produce.
The forest of Piji contain many valuable timber
trees, of which a few may be mentioned.
The vest (afzelia bijuga), yields perhaps the most
valuable timber in Piji. It generally 'grows on
the shore or sandy beaches, and in rocky clefts,
and by the sides of streams in the interior (on the
north-west sides) of Viti Levn and Vanua Levu.
It is not a lofty growing tree, but its branches
are wide spreading. The length of the trunk is
seldom more than 20 feet, and its diameter is fre-
quently from 3 to 4 feet. Its wood is of a dark
brown colour, closely and evenly grained, heavy, and
hard, but easily worked ; very durable in any situation,
and capable of taking a fine polish. It is a most valu-
able timber where strength and durability are required,
and in no respect inferior to teak. Knotty and gnarled
portions of it are excellent substitutes for lignum
vita? in making block-sheaves. Large sound trees of
it are now scarce in the colony, owing to its having
been extensively used in the construction of large
canoes, for which the Pijians were famed. It is used
in house building as pillars to support the wall plates
and centre ridges; also in making agona bowls,
native drums, or talis, &c. The tree is common
on the shores of nearly all tropical countries, from
the oast const of Africa, through the Mascarene,
Indian, Malayan, and Polynesian islands to the western
113
shores of America. But it is not common, if at all
found indigenous, at a distance of more than 20 degrees
of latitude north or south of the equator. It is not
found wild in Mauritius, and I did not see it in the
Sandwich islands. It is of slow growth, requiring
ahout 140 years, or more, to reach maturity.
The tavola (terminalia catappa) is found like the
vest over a wide range of tropical countries, cither
growing spontaneously, or planted for the pleasant
shade of its foliage. In Eiji, it grows naturally
on the shores, and on the banks of streams, in the
interior of the larger islands. It is also planted about
the native towns for its shade. It is a lofty horizon-
tally branched, deciduous tree, which frequently grows
to a height of 70 or 80 feet, with a trunk from -1 to 8
feet in diameter, and sometimes a height of 40 feet
from the ground to the lowest branches. The timber
is of a light brown colour, with darker veins, easily
worked, not very hard nor heavy, and about the same
density as teak, which, in outward appearance, it some-
what resembles. The timber is durable when kept
dry, but decays fast in places where it is alternately
wet and dry. It is very useful for house building
purposes, such as flooring, partitions, inside doors,
&c. The tavola is said to make the best sounding
kills. These are dug or hollowed out, like a trough
from a portion of the trunk, leaving thin sides, and
about 4 inches of the wood at each end. The sides
are beaten by two sticks about 18 inches long. In
different ways, measures or time is beaten on them, the
meaning of which is known by the natives and the " old
hands " or settlers. The sound of the lali is not
unpleasant when beaten by a practised hand, and a
good sounding one may be heard at a distance of
Q 2019. H
114
1 or 5 miles on a quiet morning. The trunk of the
tavola and some other trees, notably the dakua
and damanu, are used, faute de niieux, for making
"dug out" canoes or takias, for navigating rivers
and smooth water round the shores, and inside the
reefs.
The dilo (calophyllum inophyllum) is another
large tree. Like the preceding two, it is common on
the shores of most tropical countries, and not unfre-
quently found in the interior, where, if in dense
forests, it sometimes attains a height of 60 or 70 feet,
— being forced up by encroachment and protection of
surrounding trees. On the shores it seldom grows to
a lofty tree, but has large wide-spreading branches,
and a trunk frequently 7 feet in diameter. Like the
other calophyllums mentioned below, it yields a valu-
able and useful timber. The crooked branches of the
trees grown on the sea-shore, are useful as "knees"
in the construction of boats and large sized vessels.
The seeds yield the dilo or " Tacamahaca " oil of com-
merce, which used as a liniment, is of high repute in
the east as a cure for rheumatics, &c. When the bark
of the tree is wounded, the sap, which flows gently
from the wound, is of a clear, transparent, greenish
colour. By exposure, it gradually thickens into a gum-
resin which is the "Tacamahaca" resin of druggists.
The oil as well as the resin is used by the Pijians and
" old settlers" as a cure for rheumatics, pains in the
joints, and as a balsam for wounds. There is not
much of its oil now made in Eiji, and it is not
easily obtained pure. The native method of extracting
ii [s rude. As the tree is not uncommon in several
Localities, its seed might be collected by the people as
B Q-overnmenl lax, and the market value of the oil
115
ascertained. It is believed to be still of considerable
value, and about 18 years ago it was worth 90/. per
tun.
The clamanu (calophyllum burruanni), damanii
dilo dilo, and another unnamed species, yield the
" damami timber " of [Fiji. It is of a light brown
colour, beautifully but somewhat coarsely veined,
tough, strong, and bears a heavy strain. It is
deservedly esteemed in house and ship-building, being
durable in mostly all situations. It warps, however,
if not well seasoned, and the grain is rather curly, but
it is not difficult to work. Planks and logs of it have
been shipped to the Australian colonies, where they
have met a ready sale at remunerative prices, Some
of the timber has also been sent to the London market,
but the result has not been made known. The timber
of these species with that of the dilo, is celebrated
for making excellent spars for small vessels, where
strength and toughness are important requisites. The
trees are common throughout Fiji, in dense forests on
the windward sides of the islands, and near streams on
the leeward or dry sides. They grow to a large size,
and with what, in the tropics, is considered ordinary
rapidity. The annual growth in height of a well-
established young tree in fairly good soil will be from
3 to 4 feet. As the tree gets old the growth is slower,
and it will probably take about 80 years to reach
maturity, when it will have attained a height of about
60 or 70 feet, with a trunk, — a clean, smooth cylinder,
of some 35 or 40 feet in length, having a diameter of
2J feet at the base and 2 feet at the top. The timber
is useful for many purposes long before the tree has
reached maturity, on which account the tree is
especially valuable.
H 2
116
The dakua (dammara vitiensis) may be termed
the Jcawrie pine of Fiji. It attains a great size,
growing sometimes to a height of 100 feet, with a
trunk of 27 feet in circumference and 60 feet to the
first branches. This may be reckoned the maximum
size of the tree. A living specimen that has almost
reached these dimensions has been noticed. Dakua
timber is light, close-grained, white, and easily worked.
It makes good spars, and is useful for a variety of
purposes. Its quality is equal to good pine. Large
numbers of the best trees have been felled in the more
accessible forests, and large-sized trees are now con-
fined to the interior of Yiti Levu and Vanua Lcvu.
In some parts of these islands it is common, though
not abundant, and it is now rare, if not extinct, in the
other islands of the group. The tree exudes an in-
flammable gum-resin called ma/cadre by the Fijians,
who use it for burning as a lamp or torch. The gum
is also used in glazing their pottery. The smoke of
the burned resin also yields a black dye, which the
Fijians used instead of the laud in dyeing their
cloth, tatooing, &c. The kawrie gum is a valuable
article of commerce, but large pieces of it can now
rarely be got in Fiji. The inflammable nature of the
gum has undoubtedly been an important factor in the
destruction of the trees by fire, which has extermi-
nated them in many localities in the dry districts.
The </"/,■''" salu salu, or lean solo, as it is termed
in some localities, (podocarpus vitiensis), is a fine
handsome tree, in its leaves and appearance, closely
resembling 1b< v Australian araucaria bidwellii. It
does not attain the dimensions of the dakua, and
seldom exceeds 60feei in height, — its greatest circum-
ference beinn' about 15 i'cet. It is not so common as
117
the dakua, but is found in Viti Lcvu and Vanua Levu
forests from the level of the sea to the tops of the
mountains. Its timber is of a light brown colour,
easily worked, tough, strong, durable, and capable of
taking a fine polish. It can be used for almost any
purpose connected with house and boat building, and
cabinet-making.
The lewlninini (dacrydium alatum), is a smaller
sized tree than the last named. It grows to a height of
about 50 feet, and its trunk rarely exceeds 12 feet in
circumference. It is found also in Viti Levu and
Vanua Levu, and ranges from the sea-shore to the
tops of the mountains. It yields a very useful timber,
fit for almost every purpose connected with house
building or cabinet-making. It is either white, or
slightly cream coloured, close-grained, hard and
durable, and is much valued by the natives.
Podocarpus cupressina (kau tabua, so called from
the wood resembling whales' teeth in colour), yields
timber of a beautiful yellow colour, closely and evenly
grained, easily worked, durable, and moderately hard,
useful alike for house-work and cabinet-making. It
polishes well and easily. The tree grows in the forests
of Vanua Levu and Viti Levu, and is found from the
sea coast to the interior, but is more common on
mountain ridges than in the valleys.
There are two other species of podocarpus, to which
the Eijians give the name of Jcausi, viz., podo-
carpus bractelosa and afhnis. They are trees of
medium size, growing to a height of about 40 feet,
with trunks about 6 feet in circumference. They are
not uncommon, and generally grow on the tops of
hills. They are seldom found in the valleys. Both
species yield a fine timber, closely-grained, hard,
durable, and useful for a variety of purposes.
118
Tlic vai vai (serianthes myraidenia) is a large tree.
It grows to a height of ahout 70 feet, and has a trunk
from 35 to 10 feet in length, with a circumference of
15 feet. It is common in the forests of the larger
islands, and yields a strong, hard, white coloured
timber, much valued in house and ship building on
account of its toughness, strength, and durability.
taMm are sometimes made or dug out of its large
trunks.
The so gall (lumnitzera coccinea), is a medium
sized tree which grows to a height of about 40 feet,
and its trunk girths about 7 feet, at 6 feet from the
ground. It is much valued for piles, as its timber is
durable in water and not subject to the attacks of
insects. However, the trunk seldom exceeds 20 feet
in height, which prevents its being used on all occa-
sions. It grows in salt marshes, tiri or mangrove
swamps near the mouths of rivers and on some parts
of the coast.
The hau huru (casuarina nodiflora) is most [com-
mon in the district of Bua in Vanua Levu. There
it grows to a fair sized tree of 50 feet or so in height,
surmounted by a flat head of branches, and dark,
sombre pine-looking leaves. Its trunk attains a girth
of about 8 feet and a length of 35 or 40 feet. The
wood is white coloured, closely- grained, hard and
heavy. It is useful for many purposes, but does not
bear exposure to the weather.
The rrmlo rrmlo (hibiscus, or thespesia populnea),
a common tree on the shores of nearly all tropical
countries. It seldom grows above 40 feet in height.
The trunk is From 15 to 20 feet in length, with a girth
of aboul 7 feet. The outside timber is white and soft
Likethai of the willow, but the inside, or heart timber,
is hard ami durable. It is of a light-brown colour,
119
curly- grained and not very easily worked, but a good
timber for boat building and various other purposes.
The large crooked branches are used as knees. In some
tropical countries, such as Ceylon, this tree is exten-
sively planted for its shade, along the sides of roads
and streets. Large branches lopped off and put into
the ground strike root rapidly, and in a few years
are medium sized trees.
The vug a (nelitris vitiensis) and vug a vug a (metro-
sideros polymorpha) are trees of less than medium
size. They grow to a height of 30 or 35 feet,
with trunks about 20 feet in length, and seldom ex-
ceeding 2^ or 3 feet in circumference. They are most
common in the dry parts of Viti Levu and Vanua
Levu, and grow in the poorest soil. Both are pretty
flowering trees. The timber is very hard and durable
and is used by the settlers as piles to support the frame-
work of their wooden houses. For this purpose they
are let into the ground to a depth of 1 or 2 feet, and
the earth rammed hard about them to keep them firm.
They are then all cut to the same level, at the required
height above ground, for the floor of the house. In
such a situation good timber of either kind is said to
stand the vicissitudes of climate and weather for about
20 years.
The koka (Bischoffiia javanica) grows to a height
of 45 or 50 feet, and has a large wide-spreading
head, resembling the plane-tree in outline. . The
trunk is seldom more than 20 feet in length, and does
not exceed 12 feet in girth. The tree is not often seen
in thick forests, but is abundantly represented on land
that has been cultivated, particularly on alluvial soil
near the rivers. Orchids, ferns, and lycopods would
seem to have a special favour for the JwJca as it
120
may l>e seen covered with these epiphytes, while upon.
the surrounding trees there are none. The timber is not
unlike teak in colour and grain, — hard, durable, and
stands exposure to the weather. Por general purposes
it is quite as useful as teak, and the Fijians esteem
it next to vest in making posts or pillars for their
houses. It would make excellent household furniture,
and would polish well. When green, it is dense and
heavy, and will not float in fresh water.
The cibicibi, cynometra sp., is a lofty tree, growing
to a height of 75 feet, with a trunk 40 or 50 feet in
length, and about 12 feet in girth. The heart wood
is closely and finely grained, hard, durable, and useful
for all domestic purposes. That on the outside is
soft and white, and decomposes rapidly. The cibicibi
is common in forests up to an elevation of 1,000 feet,
but is most abundant in the wet districts, where it
attains the greatest dimensions.
The nol:o noko (casuarina equisetifolia) is com-
mon in Fiji, but abounds most in dry localities. No
particularly large trees of it were noticed, but in
Seychelles it sometimes grows to a height of 150 feet,
with a trunk nearly 7 feet in diameter. The timber
is dense and close-grained, something like larch in
colour, and like it, also, inclined to warp when exposed
to strong sun-shine. It should not be cut up until
thoroughly seasoned. It is strong and elastic, and
w< 11 adapted for house-building purposes. It is hard,
and durable when kept dry. The tree grows with
great rapidity, will thrive in the poorest soils, and live
in very dry situations. It makes excellent fuel, will
even burn when green and wet with external mois-
ture. The caloric powers of this wood are not excelled
by those of any other kind of wood. The Fijians
121
formerly made their best war-clubs from vounsr noko-
noko trees. This may account, to some extent, for
large trees of this species being scarce in the group.
The Jmlava or Jcukulava (wormia biflora) grows
to a height of about 30 feet, with a trunk not ex-
ceeding 6 feet in girth. It is common throughout
Fiji. The wood is of a reddish colour, hard, tough,
and durable. It is used for a variety of purposes by
the natives and settlers.
The savoo or cavoo (Pitfosporum, sp.) is a small
tree, generally found on the borders of marshes near
the sea. It grows to a height of 35 or 40 feet, and
its trunk is seldom more than 2J feet in diameter.
The wood is close-grained and moderately hard. It
is used by the Fijians as rafters for houses, and is one
of their scented woods.
Besides the above-named timber trees there are a
great many others of minor importance, the value
and utility of which are unknown.
Sandalwood is a well-known product of the forests
of Fiji ; but as information regarding it will be found
in Appendix II., it is not further alluded to in this
place.
Several kinds of trees and climbers, yielding caout-
chouc of the finest quality, are found wild in the
forests of Fiji. As Appendix I. is a report on these
caoutchouc-yielding plants, further mention of them
here is needless.
The Fijians require a large amount of forest pro-
duce for what may be termed domestic purposes ; such
as timber for house-building, wood for fuel, leaves for
thatch, materials for making mats, &c.
Their houses are generally well built ; and a de-
scription of one will give an idea of the kind and
122
quantity of material required in their construction.
The largest houses are those of the chiefs, the
churches and schools. The length of these buildings
varies from 50 to 80 feet, and their breadth from 25 to
fcO feet. The average height of the side walls, from
the floor to the eaves, is about G feet, and from the
level of the side walls to the ridge about 20 feet,
making a total height from floor to ridge of from 26 to
30 feet. The ridge is supported at each end by a
round log, — the trunk of a tree set upright; and, should
the house be long, by one or more of these logs as
pillars set at equal distances apart. The tops of these
logs arc either forked, or hollowed out for the ridge
pole to rest upon, and round logs, about a foot in dia-
meter, are set up as side posts, at about 10 feet apart.
These are also hollowed out at the top, that the wall-
plate may lie solidly upon them. The wall-plates and
ridges are made of the trunk of a cocoa-nut palm, or
any other long straight tree ; and they are not less
than 6 inches in diameter, "When one tree is not long
enough to reach from end to end of the house, another
is joined to it, by overlapping the ends, and fastening
them together by sinnet. The wall-plate or ridge, as
the case may be, is supported at the joint by a pillar
or post. Large pieces of timber (round logs) are used
as tie-beams, one at each end of the house, and
-hould the house be long, one or more is laid across
at equal distances apart. These tie-beams are fastened
firmly to the Mall-plates by sinnet; — binding the
aides of the house together, and preventing them
from being thrust out by the weight of the roof.
Tin- rafters are supported by the wall-plates and ridge,
beyond which their ends extend, crossing each other
and forming an .-mule like the letter V. The rafters
123
are bound together by three purlins on each side of
the roof, one of which is at the lower end of the
rafters, outside the wall-plate, another is just below
the ridge, the third midway between these two. The
purlins are firmly tied by sinnet to the rafters, and so
prevent any of them from shifting or sagging. The
purlins are long straight pieces of timber, not less
than 6 inches in diameter. The rafters are small
straight trees, from which the bark has been cleanly
removed, as it would harbour destructive insects.
They are placed from a foot to 18 inches apart. On
the outside of the above-mentioned side posts, which
support the wall-plates, another row of side-posts is
set up. These are generally the stems of tree-ferns
smoothed, either round or square. They are placed
from 3 to 6 feet apart. They are let some distance into
the ground, and are fastened at the top to the lowest
purlin and the ends of the rafters by sinnet. The walls
or sides of the houses are formed of laminated reeds or
canes of the gascm (eulalia japonica). The lamina are
arranged either uprightly, horizontally, or diagonally.
By interweaving the lamina, aided by coloured sinnet
fastenings, many curious patterns are worked out.
Sometimes the walls of the houses, outside the reeds,
are thatched with cane leaves or branches of the
makita (parinarium laurinum), with the leaves
attached, or the fronds of the marsh acrostichum
aureum. The roofs are thatched with sugar-cane
leaves, ferns, or long grass. When the two latter are
used, the rafters are (like the side walls) covered with
several layers of reeds woven into different designs,
over which the thatch is laid, all being made fast to
the rafters by sinnet. When the leaves of the sugar
cane are used, they are doubled over a reed and
124
fastened, or rather sewed, by a thread-like split of
bamboo, or the flexible stem of flagellaria indica.
The reeds to which the cane leaves are sewed are then
laid upon the rafters, beginning at the eaves, each
successive layer overlapping the other more or less as
the thatch, tibitibi, is wanted to be thick or not.
The site on which the house is built is raised above
the level of the ground into a mound. These mounds
vary in height from 1 to G feet, and their sides are
frequently pitched with variously coloured pebbles
from the rivers, to prevent the earth being carried
away by heavy rains, and for ornament. After the
house is finished, the floor is thickly covered with
dry grass, fern leaves, &c, and then carpeted with
mats. No nails are used in the construction of the
houses, the different parts being securely fastened
together with sinnet or the stems of strong climbers.
A large quantity of sinnet is used to ornament the
beams, posts, &c, and an adept, skilled in decorating
and arranging designs and patterns, is much esteemed.
In the V-shaped angle, formed by the ends of the
rafters projecting beyond the ridge, as before-men-
tioned, the trunk of a long tree-fern is laid, with its
ends projecting several feet beyond the ends of the
roof. The projecting ends of the tree-fern are orna-
mented with shells, and sometimes golden coloured
cowrie shells are suspended from them by a fastening
of sinnet, and allowed to dangle in the air.
The houses of the common people are neither so
large, so substantially built, nor so highly ornamented
as those of the chiefs; but even among the poorest
people there is a certain amount of pride in having
their bouses comfortable, and ornamented to the best
of their abilities. The character of those who do not
125
attend to these matters is much and unfavourably
commented upon in Fijian society. Near the coast,
and on the low-lying parts, the houses are either
gable ended, or hip roofed. In the interior of Vitu
Levu, the roof has the form of an ogee arch, with an
outward spring at the eaves. In the middle of Vanua
Levu, the sides of the houses, together with the roof,
form an elliptic arch. No heavy timber is used in
the construction of these houses. One end of the
rafter is fixed in the ground, and the top is then
joined to the top of the one opposite. These ends
overlap each other, and they are then securely tied
together. The rafters arc kept in their places by
purlins, to which they are fastened by sinnet, or the
flexible stems of climbers. The purlins are laid hori-
zontally at about 2 or 3 feet apart. The Fijians seem
to be unacquainted with the use of braces or struts in
the construction of houses and bridges. Their build-
ings are consequently kept upright by the posts
being deeply sunk in the ground and firmly fixed in it.
There are several species of bamboo, natives of
Fiji, and as may be supposed, they are used for a
variety of purposes by the Fijians. One of these is
that of a water can or pitcher. For this purpose a
piece of bamboo, from 2 to 12 feet in length, and
about 3^ inches in diameter is selected. As a crack
in the bamboo would render it useless, considerable
care must be taken in cutting and seasoning it, and
also in piercing its partitions or cell walls. One of
the large sized bamboos will hold as much water as an
ordinary pitcher. Like other commodities, they arc
articles of exchange between the inhabitants of the
districts where they abound, and those residing in
localities where they are scarce.
12G
Besides in house building, the trunks of tree-ferns
are largely used for making fences round the native
towns to keep out pigs, which are commonly allowed
to run at liberty in the woods.
The soft downy scales found on the base of the leaf-
stalks or stipes of some tree-ferns are used for stuffing
pillows, cushions, and mattresses. For this purpose
these scales arc an excellent substitute for feathers ;
but the softness of such articles makes them too hot
to be agreeable in the warm climate of Fiji.
Although the gasau, a large grass or reed, may
be classed among the products of waste land in Fiji,
it is of great utility to the natives and settlers, in
forming the side walls of their houses, temporary
fences, &c. Not only arc they used in forming the
walls of natives and settlers' houses, but Government
House and offices at Nasova are formed of triple rows
of them, fastened together and bound to the frame-
work of the building by sinnet. If not so lasting as
weather-boarded houses, they are far more healthy,
cool, and any, and are altogether better adapted to the
climate of Fiji, particularly when surrounded by a
verandah. When kept dry the reeds will last 15 or
20 years.
The straw of the wild sugar cane, vico, and of the
cultivated varieties, clovu, is of great use to both
natives and settlers for thatching houses. In many
districts it is indispensable, and it would be difficult
1<> find another article, sufficiently abundant, as a
substitute.
127
CHAPTER VII.
Conservancy of Forests. — Destruction by Fires.
— Re-foresting and Preservation of Water.
In addition to its own indigenous forest products,
there cannot he a doubt that the soil rfnd climate
of Fiji will greatly favour the growth and bring to
perfection the salvlan products of other tropical
countries; such as teak, ebony, sal, satinwood, log-
wood, mahogany, sissoo, rosewood camphor, the South
American caoutchouc trees, the gutta-percha trees, &c.
Nutmegs, cloves, cinnamon, camphor, candle-nuts,
allspice, &c, might be grown in the forests, as forest
produce, as a means of making them remunerative.
These articles would scarcely pay the expense of culti-
vation in regular plantations ; but when they can
be grown in a semi-wild state they are highly re-
munerative. In this case the only expenses would be
planting and protecting the trees, and gathering the
produce, — ordinary forest expenses.
It will be incumbent on the government of Fiji to
keep a considerable area of land under timber, and to
plant extensively on land at present umvooded. In
Viti Levu the unwooded land may be roughly stated
to lie on the north-west side of a line drawn from
between Serua and the mouth of Siga Toka river in the
south-east, to Viti Levu bay in the north-east of the
island. In Vanua Levu it lies on the north-western
side of a line drawn from Udu Point in the north-east
to the south-west side of Sandalwood bay, at the south-
eastern extremity of the island.
123
From causes that will be stated, the districts in
which these uuwooded lauds are situated are the driest
in Fiji. As seen in the meteorological statement,
rams are abundant in these districts at the periods of
the year when northerly and westerly wiuds prevail in
the group. At other times of the year dense mists
and heavy showers are not uncommou on the tops of
wooded mountains, and other places at a lower eleva-
tiou, where patches of forest still remain. But these
showers and fogs seldom descend to the uuwooded and
low-lying plains and valleys. As soon as a current of
vapour bearing air passes beyond these wooded places,
it either becomes rarefied by the heat rising from the
uuwooded land, rises to a higher altitude and passes
away, or it becomes condensed and warm from part-
ing with a large portion of vapour, and passes over
the country in arid draughts until checked by a
wooded hillside or patch of forest. In passing through
the wooded parts of these provinces, I have frequently
got a wetting, while the path through the open grassy
land lyiug between was dry and dusty. It can
scarcely be disputed that the re-wooding of tracts of
land in these dry districts will be highly beneficial to
agriculture. At present the rains which fall period-
ically flow off the land in floods in a few days. This
the establishment of forests will check, and the water
being entangled among the dense undergrowth, tree
roots, &c, of a forest, will be absorbed by the soil,
like a sponge, and parted with gradually. Further,
in re- wooding the tops of the hills the soil will be
k.pt from opening into rents by the drought, and
landslips, at present a frequent occurrence in these
districts, will be prevented. They take place generally
at the commencement of a sudden and heavy rainfall,
129
and are caused by the water entering the deep rents, or
fissures in the soil, made by the drought, and passing
downward between the soil and the stratum on which
it rests, and not readily finding a way out, liquefying
and carrying away the soil at the bottom of the slope-
The soil composing the slope being softened and un-
dermined at the base, and loosened from the stratum
on which it rests, slips down by its own weight, and
carries everything along with it.
Another benefit that may be expected to result from
the re- wooding of hills, at present only covered with
grass, is that the water, being hindered from running
off the surface of the ground in floods, as at present, will,
by percolating through the soil, be given off gradually,
and a regular and abundant supply will be kept up in
rivers and streams throughout the year. This is a
most important consideration, not only as it will main-
tain a supply of water for domestic purposes, cattle,
&c, but also as a motive-power for machinery, the
irrigation of the land, and in navigating the rivers.
Re-wooding large tracts of land will also have the
effect of making the climate moist throughout the
year, and, in consequence, fit for the growth of agri-
cultural produce for which otherwise it would be
quite unsuitable, by reason of aridity. For example, a
field of rich land may be planted with sugar canes,
and well irrigated, but if the climate of the locality
be dry and arid, the crop will not pay expenses should
the canes grow, which is questionable. It is my
opinion that much of the cane disease, so disastrous
in Mauritius of late years, is due to the unsuitability
of the climate, brought about, or caused, by the over
destruction of the forests. It would seem that a pro-
portion of unwooded arable land and of forest were
Q2019. I
130
required to render the climate healthful for man, and
to the growth of the plants which man cultivates to
supply his daily wants and for the purposes of civil-
ization ; and that when the halance inclined too much
cither way, unhealthiness of the climate for man and
his domesticated plants and animals was the result.
Examples of this may be seen in various colonies,
Mauritius in particular. Before the balance of
forest and arable land required by the law of nature
can be restored to that island, a large sum of money
(about £200,000 sterling) will have to be expended
in the purchase of land, planting and protecting
the forests, and likely a generation will pass away
before the desired results are attained. To avoid these
dangers, and preserve that salubrity of climate, for
which, as a tropical land, Eiji is noted among the
islands of the Pacific, it will be necessary for the
Government of the colony, in the disposition of lands,
to set apart large forest reserves in both the wet and
dry districts. These reserves should include, if possible,
all the mountain and hill tops (in a proportion of one-
third of their slopes), the land surrounding springs,
and at the watershed and sources of rivers and streams ;
in short, the timber should be preserved on the
land on which the water in the streamlets, &c,
fa collected. To effect this properly, and perhaps
for other reasons, it would be unwise to dispose of
more than one half of the land at one time in any
district, even niter the forest reserves have been
se1 apart. After the lands disposed of have been
l»(l and cultivated, and the country opened up by
roads, &c., the remaining half of the lands will be
easily :tnd profitably leased or sold. And as some
climatical experience of the district will have been
131
obtained, it will be known to a certainty what farther
extent of land may be given up to cultivation with-
out injuring the climate or fertility of the soil. In
addition to its beneficial effect upon the climate, soil,
&c, there arc other advantages of great value to a
community to be derived from keeping large tracts
of land under forest, viz., an abundant supply of
cheap fuel, timber for house and ship building, for
sugar factories, and all other industrial purposes con-
nected with the colony. In this way large sums of
money will be kept in the colony that otherwise would
have to be sent out of it annually. The case of
Mauritius may be quoted as an example of this.
Prom that small, though not unimportant island,
about £20,000 is sent annually to India, Singapore,
and Australia for timber, the produce of tropical
countries, which might have been grown in the
colony. This sum does not include the value of pine
imported from Europe, which could not be grown in
Mauritius. The Fijian clalma and dakua-salu-salUy
are equal if not superior to any pine for all the
purposes for which it is used, and quite as easily
worked. It may therefore be anticipated that by the
sale of the timber, and other forest produce, these
forest reserves will not only be self-supporting, but
when the colony is fully settled, and the demand for
various forest products greater than at present, they
will yield an annual revenue to the colony. There are
persons who hold the opinion that no timber ought to
be felled in Government reserves, which they say are
maintained solely for climatic purposes. This is
equivalent to taxing the community to keep up pro-
perty from which they receive only half the benefit
which that property could yield. By the sale of
I 2
132
mature timber, these reserves (as has been stated) will
in time be more than self-supporting, without in the
Leasl injuring them for those purposes for which they
were established. The objects to be obtained in this
matter are of so great importance to the colony, that
Government cannot trust the carrying out of them to
jirivate persons, who will study their own interests
rather than the welfare of the commonwealth. The
vital importance of the subject is my only excuse for
dwelling so long upon it. Of course results commen-
surate to the foregoing ideas will not be realised in a
year, nor perhaps for some time to come ; but if the
object to be attained is kept steadily in view by the
Government, and intelligently worked up to, there is
not much fear of ultimately attaining a satisfactory
result. It may be added that the future success of
the matter depends very much on steps being taken
at once to lay a solid foundation upon which the
structure is to be built.
Reference has already been made to the unwooding
of the leeward districts by the system of cultivation
practised by the Fijians, and destructive fires which
annually sweep over these districts in the dry season.
The mischief caused by the former of these in all
parts of the group lias been alluded to, and I would
now call attention to the latter. These fires originate
in several ways, either when burning the scrub and
grass in clearing land for a new plantation and care-
sly allowing the fire to spread into the surrounding
dry herbage; (2) by sparks from torches carried by
the natives when travelling after nightfall to show
the paths and fords of rivers; (3) or by lighting
fires to cook food and dry their smoking tobacco when
on a journey, as is the custom of the Fijians, and
133
leaving them unextinguished. AVith reference to the
first of these, it is either from want of forethought,
carelessness, or perhaps indolence, that fires kindled
to consume rubbish, are allowed to spread beyond the
boundary of the clearing. Such carelessness ought
to be severely punished. As to the second, good paths
and roads and bridges will, in a great measure, do away
with the necessity of carrying torches. Still, naked
lights ought not to be allowed among dry herbage, at
least during the dry season. In respect to the third,
ground in the vicinity of the resting-places should be
cleared of all herbage, for some distance round, and
any party kindling a fire should extinguish it before
leaving, under a penalty. A further precaution would
be to surround each reserve by a fire-break of at least
12 yards in width, from which all inflammable ma-
terial ought to be cleared away annually. In addition
to this, the roads between the blocks or divisions of
the forest should be kept clear of everything that will
burn, so that, should a fire occur in one block, it may
be prevented from spreading into others. When the
colony is fully settled, and the open grassy lands in
the dry districts pastured by cattle or sheep, which
will eat down the long grass at present covering these
lands, the dangers from fire will be much lessened, espe-
cially if regulations against fires are firmly enforced..
It is not to vegetation alone that these fires have done
injury. By burning the grass off the ground the soil
is laid bare, and the surface is cracked and crumbled
into dust by the heat of the sun. From the steepness
of the ground in some places, the first heavy rain
carries off the loose surface soil to a depth of several
inches. The frequent recurrence of this has resulted
in laying bare the subsoil in some parts of the country.
131
In some districts, these tracts are now covered with
hardy ferns and rough kinds of grasses ; but in other
places of small extent, the subsoil lies exposed on the
surface. Unfortunately these fires are still occurring,
and only last dry season they laid waste a great part
of the province of Xavosa.
The road (or rather bridle path) from Nadi on the
wesl coast of Viti Levu, to Fort Carnarvon at na
Tua-tua-coka in the interior, passes, on the top of the
mountains, through the charred, remains of what had
been a large and magnificent forest of the finest
timber trees in Fiji, now completely ruined by fire.
This happened about six or seven years ago. When
I passed through the forest in August 1878, the dead
blackened trunks, with leafless branches, were still
standing like great chimney stalks, but the under-
growth had been completely burned up. The natives
from the neighbouring towns had taken advantage of
the circumstance and planted large patches of the
ground thus cleared with yams, dalo, and bananas.
In some places a natural growth of young trees and
Bhrubs had started, but most likely it has been de-
stroyed in the conflagration of last year, which oc-
curred after my departure from Fiji.
"What may be termed the natural tendency of the
land to re- wood itself should be taken advantage of ;
and there can be no doubt that lar<?e tracts of land
on the leeward side of Vitu Levu and Vanua Levu,
would speedily be covered with forest of a natural
will, were the ravages of fire prevented, and
browsing animals, as cattle, horses, sheep, goats, &c,
excluded.
Before any tract of land is set apart to allow it to
become naturally re-wooded, it should be carefully
135
examined, and all symptoms of natural growth noted.
This will prevent money being expended in protecting
land on which a natural growth of trees might not
spring up. It would be incorrect to affirm that most
of the forest trees thus naturally produced would be
of utility to the builder; still, natural production
would be a ready means of serving a climatic purpose,
attended with little expense, and would give time for
the more valuable kinds of timber being planted in
other parts of the colony. In the meantime planting
should be confined to places which will not become
re-wooded naturally. The kinds of trees selected for
planting should not only be adapted to the climate
and soil of the locality and district, but should be
chosen with an eye to their future value, whether for
fuel or timber ; as caoutchouc or sandalwood yielding,
or spice plants.
By carefully selecting the most valuable forest
trees indigenous to Eiji and other tropical countries,
a large number of useful kinds could be obtained
adapted to the climate and soil of the various districts
of the colony. A few exotic kinds maybe mentioned.
For the poorest soils of the dry districts, hoematoxylon
campeachianum, logwood ; albizzias lebbek, odoratis-
sima, elata, moluccana ; tetranthera laurif olia ; acacias
arabica, eburneum, and catechu ; ingas dulcis, and
xyclocarpa ; adenanthera pavonina. Among the kinds
of timber trees that will succeed in localities that are
neither particularly wet nor dry may be mentioned
teak (tectonia grandis) ; sal (shorea robusta) ; hopeas
maranti and stipulosa ; vaterias indica, ceylanica, and
seychellarum ; dalbergias sisso (sissoo), and latifolium
(rosewood) ; pterocarpuses indicus (santal), and marsu-
pium (kino) ; cedrela toona (toon) ; lagerstroemias
136
parviflora, and regina ; bassias latifolia, and longifolia ;
swietenia mahogani (mahogany), swietenia chloroxy Ion
i satinwood) ; diospyroses ebenum, and hexandra (both
yield ebony); isonandra gutta (gntta pcrcha tree);
ficus indica, and the caoutchouc yielding castilloas,
heveas, and manihot Glazovi of South Africa. It
will ultimately be found that some of these will
succeed in the wettest parts of Fiji as well as in
moderately dry places. Although some of these trees
may grow in the dry districts, yet judging from
their nature, planting them in dry places cannot
be recommended in a general way. A good deal of
re-hooding could be done inexpensively, by sowing
the seed in situ in the manner indicated for the
caoutchouc and sandalwood trees (see reports on these
subjects, Appendices I. and II.). However, it is only
the indigenous trees that produce seeds abundantly,
that can be profusely increased ; exotic trees will not
be easily extended until they produce seeds freely in
the colony, and the usual method of planting, where it
may be desirable to establish them, will have to be
resorted to for some time.
A committee of Woods and Forests was appointed
by His Excellency the Governor of Fiji to confer on
forest matters, and several meetings and consultations
were held, but from my almost constant absence from
Levuka, the subject was far from being exhausted
when I left Fiji. Before my departure, I drew up
propositions for a Forest Ordinance, and gave them
to the Colonial Secretary for submission to the Govern-
ment. Since I came to England I have arranged
these propositions under proper headings, and they
are printed in Appendix III., with explanatory re-
marks or reasons for each proposition, printed on the
137
opposite page. It may be stated in reference to the
forest staff, that a large establishment is not required,
at least in the meantime ; but it is necessary that a
person with a fair knowledge of forestry be appointed
to regulate and superintend the felling of timber on
crown lands, marking off reserves, &c. See further
remarks on this subject, under suggestions for Botanic
Gardens. It need scarcely be added that subordinates
should be taken on as required, aud that the " Forest
Department " should increase in importance along
with the colony.
138
CHAPTER VIII.
Botanic Garden. — Industrial School. — Museum.
— Meteorology.
In a new colony like Fiji, a Botanic Garden would
be of the greatest importance and utility, indepen-
dently of the knowledge of botany as a science, and
the taste for plant culture which, it would foster and
diffuse in the colony. It would be highly popular
with the settlers, and the subject has frequently been
mentioned with approval at the meetings of the Eiji
Agricultural Association. No information has yet
been obtained as to what action the Government of
the colony have taken on the subject.
The introduction of many useful plants into Fiji
has been suggested, and the desirableness of having a
suitable place for planting them need scarcely be
alluded to. In it the plants would be properly grown
and propagated, and distributed from it to the inha-
bitants in all parts of the colony. From practical
observation the settlers and natives would become
familiar with the treatment or field cultivation which
different kinds of plants required, and the preparation
of the produce for the market. It would|be the duty
of the Director or Manager to spread throughout the
colony all the information he possessed or could obtain
in the besl sources as to the nature of the plants,
land of soil, and treatment or culture which they
required. Reliable practical information on tropical
cultivation La much needed in Fiji. Most of the
settlers know aexl to nothing about the husbandry of
139
the sugar cane, coffee, tea, cinchona, cacoa, and other
products of the tropics. The consequence is that
large sums are spent on worthless experiments, or in
working out useless theories, and not unfrequently
on fanciful and absurd notions. This want of prac-
tical knowledge among the settlers has been the ruin
of Fiji from an agricultural point of view. Nor is the
Government of the colony, in agricultural and foresting
matters, in a better position than the settlers. All
are groping in the dark, and the want of a living
reliable authority, to whom all could refer and obtain
good practical information, is very much felt. Indeed
the date of supplying this want will mark a new era
in the agricultural condition of the colony, since a
supply of labour to work the fields has been secured,
and can now be depended upon.
A Botanic Garden might be established on a small
scale, as a nursery at first, and be extended and
beautified as the colony increased in prosperity, and
became able to support] one, such as that in Ceylon,
Mauritius, Trinidad, &c. This ultimate increase should
be kept in view from the beginning, and the means
of attaining it, proportionate to the resources and
needs of the colony, carefully considered, laid down,
and intelligently worked up to. A considerable area,
about 30 acres, would ultimately be required as nursery
ground, on which to rear young plants for distribution
to the inhabitants, and for planting in the forests.
Besides this, space for the growth of fruit, spice,
timber, and caoutchouc trees, &c, would require to
be provided, in order that seeds might be obtained in
quantity sufficient to meet all future demands. Park-
like space would best answer this purpose, and it
would most easily be kept. In addition to these, it
140
j lit be desirable to have within the same boundaries
of land room for the acclimatisation of useful animals,
and a model farm for the trial and acclimatisation of
different kinds of agricultural plants, such for instance,
rice, different kinds of coffee, sugar cane, cacoa, tea,
cinchonas, gram, and various other grains. About 50
acres would be required as Botanic Gardens and Plea-
sure-grounds. Altogether about 300 acres might be set
apart for the purposes mentioned. At the commence-
ment, at least, the Director or Curator of the Botanic
Gardens might take charge of the forests. Not that
there would not be work enough for him without them,
but because supporting two highly skilled men might
be too heavy for the resources of the new colony.
The Botanical Gardens should, if possible, be within
an easy distance of Suva, the chosen site of the
Capital, and also near the highway into the interior
of Yiti Ljvu. A site in the vicinity of the native
town of na Colo-suva, lying between Suva and the
Wai Maim, would answer the purpose admirably, as it
would combine a suitable climate, good soil and a sup-
j)ly of water, being within 5 miles or so of the capital,
with access to the interior of Viti Levu and all the
other islands of the group by the eastern branch of
the Ptewa river.
It may be suggested that the residence of the
Governor might be in connexion with the proposed
Botanic Gardens or adjacent to them. This would do
away with the necessity of keeping separate grounds.
The founding of an Industrial School in Fiji well
lis consideration. For this purpose advantage
lniVnt be taken of the present training school at
Navaloa, Viti Levu. To that institution the more
anced and most promising young men are drawn
141
from the native schools which the missionaries have
established in all the towns throughout Fiji. They
not only receive a good education, but arc employed
a part of the day, before or after school hours, at field
work, cultivating yams, dalo, &c, on the land belong-
ing to the institution. In this way the institution is
altogether, or to a great extent, supplied with food,
and the exercise is most beneficial to the health of
the scholars. The system of agriculture practised by
the Fijians has been mentioned, and the evils arising
from it pointed out. As it may be desirable to change
this system for one which would not require new
ground every year on which to grow food plants, advan-
tage might be taken of the institution at Navaloa to im-
part to the natives a thorough knowledge of modern
agriculture. There the young men would see the result
of using manure ; that by its use the same kind of crop
can be taken repeatedly from the same ground, and also
the benefit of a yearly rotation of different kinds of
crops. Not only so, but as a part of their education,
they would become acquainted with the various prac-
tical ways in which these results are brought about.
The young men trained at this institution, the most
of whom are the sons of chiefs, will naturally become
prominent and influential members of the native com-
munity, and it may be expected that the knowledge
thus imparted to them will soon be extended to others.
Besides this, they might also be taught the use of
tools, how to work a saw, drive a nail, use a plane,
and handle an adze, &c, — a kind of knowledge they
much need, and which would be most useful to them
in their after life.
At Levuka, the present capital of Fiji, there is a
Mechanics Institute, and a fairly good library,
142
circumstances considered. The Government having
granted a site for a new building, to replace the old
dilapidated and incommodious one at present occupied,
advantage of the circumstance might be taken to form
the nucleus of a Museum for the colony. The Society
which the institute represents is neither numerous nor
wealthy ; but it would doubtless lend its aid in this
matter for the information of the people. Towards this
end Government might help the Society by granting
a small sum annually upon well considered and ap-
proved conditions, say of giving accommodation in
the building for a small but increasing collection.
This collection might represent the flora of the colony ;
its land and sea fauna, mineralogy, geology, and in-
dustries ; and articles of curiosity, and of historical and
economical, commercial, or educational interest from
other countries. The co-operation of naturalists
visiting the colony should be desired, and they might
be requested to give the museum one specimen of
each species of the collection made in the group. The
settlers and natives in all parts of the colony might
contribute, and a fairly representative and interesting
collection might be easily and rapidly got up. The
habits of the natives are changing, surely, if not
rapidly, and articles of interest such as represent their
former condition, manners, customs, clothing, manu-
factures, &c.,are fast disappearing, and ere long there
will be more of these articles in Europe and Australia,
where, as curiosities, they are more valued than in
Fiji A Museum would retain a fair collection of
thi Lcles, which it would be desirable and inter-
esting ; " preserve in the colony.
The climate of Fiji is essentially tropical, yet very
health \. Malarial fevers and other diseases common
143
to nearly all tropical countries are entirely unknown
in Fiji. New comers, however, are said to be sub-
ject to attacks of diarrhoea or dysentery. This may
arise from careless living, or change of diet ; or, if the
person has been travelling in the colony, from poor-
ness of food and not being acclimatized or accustomed
to having the clothes wet, and neglecting to change
them. Slight wounds have a tendency to become
sores, if not at once properly attended to, kept clean,
covered from the air and strong sunshine, and from
salt and brackish water. The Fijians are certainly a
rpbust, healthy race, and live to a great age. Though
in some places their houses are situated on low-lying
marshy land, or even in the middle of marshes of
brackish water, and on the edges of mangrove swamps,
the people are exempt from all complaints arising from
miasma, beyond an occasional severe cold in the cool
season, asthma, or rheumatics.
Elephantiasis is common among the natives, and
so is an ulcerous disease locally called coko. It
is not fatal, and is mostly confined to children.
The Fijians say that their children are neither strong
nor healthy till they have have had it. It is supposed
to be hereditary, but not contagious. A kind of
ophthalmia, which lasts only a few days, is not uncom-
mon, and both natives and settlers are subject to it.
The settlers throughout the colony, and European
tradesmen in Levuka, such as carpenters, &c, work in
the open air constantly throughout the year, exposed
to all the changes of weather, without feeling any bad
effects. This says a great deal for the healthiness of
the climate, as Levuka is about the worst place in Fiji
for situation. But however healthy the climate of
Fiji may be in general, its effect on the average Euro-
144
pean is enervating and depressing. This is particularly
the ease during the hot days that occur in the months
of December, January, and February. A heavy,
languid, oppressive feeling is experienced, acconi-
anied by an unwillingness for the least exertion,
either mental or physical. The relaxing effect of the
climate renders a change to a cooler region at times
desirable, if not necessary. The dull indolent habits
of the natives, too, have a depressing effect on those
who are much in contact with them, and it needs the
quickening influence of mingling with a superior race
to sharpen the thoughts, as well as the cool air of a
temperate climate to brace and invigorate the body.
In Fiji, as in most tropical countries, there is a dry
and a wet season ; the former is cool, and lasts from
May to October, the latter is hot, and lasts from Octo-
ber to May. In the dry season, the south-east trade
winds prevail, and every person is benefited by the
cool invigorating breeze. During the wet season there
are frequent calms, and the winds are variable, though
generally from a northerly direction. The weather is
hot, and the least exertion brings the perspiration in
streams out of the body. While the cool weather lasts,
Europeans can wear, with comfort, clothing adapted
to an English summer ; indeed, at this season the
weather is delightful, — finer than the best summer
weather in England. In the hot season the least
amount of clothing is burdensome and oppressive.
Thunderstorms accompanied by vivid and rapid
flashes of lightning are common all over the colony
during the hot season. In the cool season these
storms are of rare occurrence, and the wind blows
steadily, and frequently in strong breezes during
September. Prom the beginning of December to
145
the end of March, owing to the backing and filling of
the north-west monsoon, the winds are unsettled.
At this time of the year, both extremes meet, and
calms are followed by sudden squalls. These squalls
are accompanied by deluges of rain, and may last
from half an hour to several days, during which time
the wind will blow from all points of the compass.
But although a year seldom passes without one of
these circular gales occurring in one or other of the
islands, they rarely if ever rise to the fury of a hurri-
cane, such as those that annually sweep over Mauritius
or the West Indies. The houses of the natives, the
settlers' buildings, trees, &c, are evidence that heavy
gales of wind (hurricanes) do not occur.
The annual rainfall in Fiji may be considered heavy
even for a tropical country ; and w T hat is of the great-
est importance in an agricultural point of view, is that
the rains fall most abundantly during the warm or
summer season, when vegetation most requires it. As
tables of rainfall, &c. will be found in the App. (V.)
it is unnecessary to go into details ; but it may be in-
teresting to state that Delanasau, on the north coast of
Vanua Levu, is one of the driest parts of Fiji. There,
in 1877, rain fell more or less on 106 days; at Qara
Warn, in Taviuni, on 228 days ; at Levuka, Ovalau,
on 158 days ; and at Wai ni Sasa, on the Howa river,
Viti Levu, on 139 days. Unfortunately we do not
have the quantity that fell at the last-mentioned place.
Wai ni Sasa is on the banks of the Uewa river, about
25 miles from its mouth. The district is popularly
known as one of the wettest in Fiji ; but as far as a
comparison can be made, the number of days on which
rain falls is less there than at Levuka. At Dela-
nasau, in 1877, December was the hottest month of
Q 2019. K
116
the year, the mean temperature being 84*1 (max. 97'6 ;
min. 70- S), see table I. At Levuka, in the same year,
February was the hottest month, the mean temperature
being 82*2 (max. 92"2 ; min. 73'2), see Table II. The
,h<t four months of the year, and the last two, were
the warmest at Delanasau, Table III. Table I. shows
the mean annual rainfall, temperature, &c, at Dela-
nasau for seven years ; but as there are no observations
for the same number of years from any other part of
the colony, a correct comparison cannot be made.
An important fact, indicated by Table II., may be
noticed. Previous to, and during 1861-2, the low
hills around Levuka were thickly wooded. Since that
time the woods have been cut down, and the number
of days on which rain falls has been reduced from 256,
the average for 1861-2, to 149, the average for 1865-6
and 1876-7. It would seem that the number of showers
diminished simultaneously with the cutting of the
trees. The thick woods afforded shelter to the moun-
taineers, who on several occasions appeared in large
numbers, and threatened to sack the town and murder
the white settlers. These marauders came from
Lavoni, in the centre of Ovalau, just across the moun-
tains from Levuka ; stole down upon the town ;
plundered the goods of the settlers, and then made off
into the woods, where it was useless and dangerous to
follow them. In consequence of this, the woods in
the vicinity of the town were entirely cut down. But
it may be remarked, that the average rainfall for the
year does not seem to be much affected by the cutting
down of the woods. In answer to this, it may be
stated that whereas formerly the rain came in gentle
showers which sank into the ground and refreshed
the vegetation, it now descends in torrents, and runs
147
off the ground, carrying away the loose soil on the
surface, where the ground is steep, and doing great
damage to both soil and vegetation.
Table VI. shows that from observation taken during
five years, the last three months of the year, with the
first four months of the following year, constitute the
wet season at Delanasau, and doubtless, for Fiji.
These tables, however, give merely an indication of
the climate of Fiji. The islands differ a great deal as
to the amount of rainfall ; and the temperature of
different localities varies so much, that a correct idea
cannot be given until observations have been taken at
many different parts of the colony and compared.
To judge from the number and size of the rivers,
and the volume of 'water which they pour into the sea,
combined with the small area of the river basins, it
may be concluded that the yearly rainfall in many
parts of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu is greater than
that registered during two years at Qara Walu, in
Taviuni (See Table IV. J. At some places on the
north coasts of these two islands the rainfall may be
less than that so carefully recorded at Dalanasau.
As regards temparature, an observation can hardly
be said to do more than indicate that of the locality
where it was taken. In the interior of both the large
islands, the ruling temperature is very much lower
than that noted on any part of the coast. Again, on
the elevated plains, or grass-covered hills in the interior
of Viti Levu, the temperature during the day is some-
times as high, if not higher, than on the coast, while
during the night it is much cooler, — perhaj)S cold for a
tropical country.
Observations should be taken in a systematic manner
and at stated hours of the day. Approved printed
K 2
us
forms, ruled and divided into columns under the
required headings, as in Table II., Appendix V., might
be issued for each month of the year, to the observer
at each station. Failing a central observatory, monthly
returns of observations might be sent to the Registrar-
General of the colony, to be compared and published
yearly or monthly in the Government Gazette. These
forms could be printed at small expense. They would
save a Great deal of time and labour to the observers
in monthly ruling forms and dividing them into
columns, copying headings, and columns of figures.
The observations could be put down on the form at
the time they were taken. The Registrar- General's
address should be printed on the back of the forms,
and they might be returned to him free through the
post office.
Observations might be taken by the police at their
several stations throughout the colony, and at the
court-houses in the different islands and provinces.
The aid of the planters might be invoked in this
measure, so important to agriculturists. The study of
the weather is as important to the planter as it is to
the seaman ; and observing the thermometer, barometer,
rainfall, &c, and keeping notes and observations on
them, is the way to attain a correct knowledge of it.
Properly used, such knowledge saves much expense
and unprofitable labour to the planter in the tropics.
149
CHAPTER IX.
Number of Islands in the Group — Area of Land
— Reefs — Rivers— Navigation — Watersheds
— Mountains — Lakes — Taviuni — Rabi — Loma
loma — koro — ovalau — levuka.
The number of islands comprising the Fiji group is
over 200, and their aggregate area is estimated at
about 7,400 square miles. Viti Levu, the largest
island, has an area of about 4,100 square miles,
Vanua Levu 2,432, Taviuni 217, and Kadavu 124
square miles. The other islands are of small extent,
from Koro, 57 square miles, downward.
Most of them are surrounded with reefs of coral.
These reefs are of two kinds, " barrier" and "fring-
ing" reefs. Frequently both kinds of reefs maybe
seen at the same island, and at one part of its coast.
At another part, the reef may be a barrier one, and
again at another place a fringing reef. There are
numerous deep-water channels through the barrier
reefs, and on the inside of these reefs there are several
fine harbours, notably those at Suva, Levuka, Savu-
savu, &c. There are commodious roadsteads in the
group, where ships of the largest size may anchor in
safety, and leave with almost any wind. Between the
islands, and inside the barrier, there are numerous
patches or " heads " of coral, dangerous to strangers,
in navigating among them. Still these reefs break the
swell of the ocean, and render navigation throughout
the group safe, even for open boats in ordinary
weather.
150
The islands lie in small groups of several together.
In some places the water is so deep that vessels of
GOO tons can be moored to the shore; while in
other parts of the same island, the water is so shallow
that a ship cannot get within several miles of the
shore.
Most of the islands are high and mountainous,
rising abruptly from the sea as if they were the
mountain tops of a submerged continent, or large
island. The mountains of Taviuni, Vanua Levu, Viti
Lcvu, and Kadavu rise to an elevation of 3,000 feet
above the level of the sea. In none of the other
islands do they much exceed a height of 2,000 feet.
There is very little level land in any part of Fiji.
Hills and lovely valleys follow in rapid succession,
From the shore to the interior. Lofty peaks rise in a
succession of precipitous ascents, one after another,
sending off numerous spurs, which again subdivide
and ramify in a manner that defies description.
In many instances the sources of streams overlap
each other, and the waters from parallel valleys find
their way to the sea in opposite directions. Near
Namosi, a stone, dropped from where the Wai-Dina
rises, would fall into the waters of one of the prin-
cipal branches of the Xavua river, which at this place
is a rapid stream 30 feet broad and 2 feet deep.
At a place near Nadrau, a similar thing occurs,
viz., from where the Wai ni Mala rises a stone could be
thrown into the Siga Toka river. In Lavoni valley,
Ovalau, two large streams from opposite directions
unite and flow off at a right angle to their former
course. Many more instances might be given, but
these will Mifilce to show the complications of the
watersheds in Fiji.
151
In Vanua Levu a range of lofty mountains extends
almost from end to end of the island, and forms its
main watershed. In the mountain and river system
of Vanua Levu, the principal slope is towards the west
and north-west. The chief subdivisions of this water-
shed are in order from south-west to north-east ; (1)
in the vicinity of Dand's Peak, (Corobato) ; (2)
The Sugar Loaf (Thorobala) ; (3) Needle Peak ; (1)
"Drayton's Peak ; (5) Hale's Peak. Prom the first, the
water flows eastward towards Kobalau Point and Savu
savu Bay, and north-westward towards Naloa. Bua is
surrounded by a semicircle of mountains, among which,
in a valley, flows a large stream that rises in the
vicinity of Dand's Peak, and enters the sea a little to
the south of Sandalwood Bay. Prom the Sugar Loaf
(2), the water flows eastward to Savu-savu Bay, and
south to Wai Nunu near Kobalau point.
The tributaries of the Dreketi river rise in the
vicinity of Drayton's Peak (4), and, flowing in a westerly
direction, join the main branch of the rive] 1 as it flows
from the mountains (Needle Peak) of Wai Levu, fall-
ing into the sea nearly opposite the island of Nuvera.
It is navigable for small craft drawing 3 feet of water
for 25 miles from its mouth. A range of mountains
extends along the N.W. coast of Vanua Levu, from
near the mouth of this river, to nearly, opposite Mali
island. Between this range and the main watershed,
which runs in a zig-zag manner through the island,
lies the basin of the Dreketi river and its tributaries,
four large streams. Prom Drayton's Peak, the water-
shed runs eastward, close to the N.W. shore of Natawa
bay, and northward to Hale's Peak (5). The waters
from this basin flow in a north- westerly direction, and
enter the sea by several large streams opposite Mali
152
island. Auain, on the north of Halo's Peak another
river basin is formed, bounded on the south by Hale's
Peak, on the south-east and east by the main water-
shed, which here runs close to the shore of Natawa
bay, and on the north-east and north by high land,
which crosses the island from Tibethe point. The
waters collected in this basin flow also in a north-
westerly and westerly direction, and are discharged
opposite Sau-sau passage near Vuni-vuti, and Tutu,
near Drua-drua island. Several streams fall into
Natawa bay on its N.W. and S.E. coasts, as at Koro-
ni-saca, Malaka, and "Wai Levu at the head of the bay.
These streams are all navigable for boats and. small
craft, for some distance into the interior, notably those
which fall into the sea at Mali island and at Tutu.
Prom this place I went up the river 8 miles in a canoe
loaded with ten people and half a ton of luggage.
No streams worthy of mention enter the sea on the
long line of coast from Savu-savu bay to Somo-somo
straits.
The configuration of the land is the cause of the
N.~W. (Macuata) coast of Vanua Levu suffering from
drought, except during the northerly winds. The
range of mountains forming the watershed, and ex-
tending in a S.W. and N.E. direction, are, as has
been stated, covered with dense forest from end to end
of the island. On these mountains, the vapour laden
clouds, carried by the S.E. trade winds, settle, and
pouroul rain in torrents; and the air having parted
with its moisture passes over Macuata in dry gusts.
AVitli.Mii speaking of the peaks mentioned, which
are much higher, this range of mountains rises in
many places i<> a heighl of 2,000 feet above the sea.
The estimated heights over which I passed, in crossing
153
and recrossing this range, are as follows : — Frorn
Koro-i-vono to Togaloa, at a height of 1,500 feet.
From Vuni Sawani to Savu-savu at 1,000 feet. From
Wai-wai, Savu-savu bay to Naduri at 1,800 feet ; La-
doga to Malaka at 1,500 feet ; and from Bua to AVai
Nunu at 1,000 feet.
In passing over these mountains many striking and
frequently magnificent views present themselves.
Here forest and woodland, with valley opening into
valley in oft repeated succession ; there on one side
the open, undulating grass-covered country of Mac-
uata; on the other, the blue sea studded with islands
— with spots and lines of white foam where the sea is
breaking on the reefs ; all these, seen from a con-
siderable elevation, combine in forming a panorama of
which words can convey only a faint idea.
Natawa bay, in the N.E. of the island, runs about
30 miles inland. At its S.W. extremity the distance
to Savu-savu bay is about 7 miles, and about 2-J
miles to the south coast. At one place this narrow
neck of land, joining the peninsula thus formed to
the mainland, is not more than 100 feet above the
sea.
At the narrowest part there is a salt lake of about
150 acres in area. It is surrounded by hills, and has
communication with the sea by a deep narrow channel,
about 6 yards across at its narrowest, and about a
mile in length. Through this channel the tide runs
in and out with great velocity. From the appearance
of the flat land which borders the lake, it is conjectured
that the lake was at one time nearly double its present
size ; and the narrow ridge of land which separates
the lake from Natawa bay, also bears unmistakeable
evidence of having been under water. The lake and
151
the channel to the sea are bordered with the kinds of
plants usually found on the sea-shore, and the rocks
in its vicinity are of that breccia so common in
Fiji. Coral is said to abound in the lake. It is most
probably the crater of an extinct volcano. Erom the
lake, the Eijians drag their canoes across the narrow
ridee of land, and descend with them into Natawa
bay.
Lakes arc not numerous in Fiji. There is one in
Taviuni at about 3,000 feet above the sea, in an old
crater. Near the native town of na Kali-kosa, in the
interior of Yanua Levu, there is a small lake with a
floating island in it.
On the south coast of Vanua Levu, near Mr.
Hawkins' cocoa-nut plantation between Levuka and
Vatu Kali, a singular occurrence has taken place. At
the place in question, the level of the reef falls
suddenly about 1\ feet, like a step. This fault runs
right out to sea at right angles to the coast-line.
East of this point there is a double line of reefs, an
outer or barrier reef, and an inner or fringing reef.
To the westward there is only the fringing reef.
This would lead to the conclusion, that there has been
either a depression on one side, or an upheaval on the
other. In connexion with the whole character of the
coast to the west of this point, and the indications of
the salt lake having at one time covered a larger area
than at present, an upheaval is most probably the
cornel inference. The surface of the flat land border-
the lake is from 2 \ to 3 feet above the level of the
water.
Rivers of I'ili Levu. — Visitors to Eiji, coming from
' nics," arc greatly surprised at the size and
beauty of its rivers ; and, considering the size of the
155
islands, the number of the rivers and their magnitude
are certainly astonishing. The largest river in Viti
Levu is the Bewa — the Wai Levu (Great Elver)
of the Pijians. It is formed by the junction of the
Wai ni Buka and the Wai ni Mala, and afterwards
receives on the right bank the Wai Dina and the Wai
Manu. At 25 miles from its mouth it is about 200
yards in breadth, and at its ordinary height has a
volume of water nearly equal to that of the Tay at
Perth.
The Navua river is the next in size, up which
vessels drawing over 6 feet of water can go for 15
miles. The next is the Siga Toka, which is perhaps
the longest river in Fiji. Unfortunately there is a
bar at the mouth of this river which makes it
dangerous to enter from the sea, but inside there is
deep water. The Ba river is the next in size. It
is also navigable for several miles from the sea. Then
follows the Wai Delice, up which boats with about
10 tons of cargo can go for 17 miles. Besides
these, there are a great number of smaller rivers, the
most of which are navigable for several miles
inland.
Branches of the Uewa. — The Wai ni Buka rises
in the mountains that border the northern or Baki-
Baki coast of Viti Levu, on the western side of Viti
Levu bay, and flows in a south-easterly direction to
its junction with the Wai ni Mala. In its entire
length it runs parallel to the eastern coast, from
which it is separated by a range of high wooded
mountains. The Wai ni Soga, one of the branches
of the Wai ni Mala, rises in the same mountain
range as the Wai ni Buka, and flows in a south-
easterly direction to na Babuca, where it is joined by
15G
the Wai ni Loa, or Black water. This river rises
on the high table land, overhanging the banks of the
Siga Toka, near Nadrau, and flows in an easterly
direction to na Babuca where it receives the "Wai ni
Soga, then runs in a south-easterly direction and
joins the Wai ni Mala, above Koro Suli. The
Wai ni Mala rises in the mountains about na
Qara-wai, and flows in a north-easterly direction to
its junction with the Wai ni Loa. The united rivers
under the name of the Wai ni Mala flow eastward in
very zig-zag courses to a little below na Koro Vatu,
where their waters unite with the Wai ni Buka
in forming the B.ewa.
A branch of the Wai-dina also rises in the vicinity
of na Qara-wai, and flowing in a crooked south-
easterly course, joins the Wai-dina at na Buke Luke.
The Wai-dina rises about 4 miles west of Kamosi, at
a place where a stone could be dropped into the waters
of a branch of the Navua, and flows cast by north
in a very winding course to the Hcwa. The Wai
Manu rises on the eastern side of a mountain called
Kora Loa, not far from the Navua river, flows in an
easterly course nearly parallel with the Wai Dina,
and falls into the llewa about 20 miles above its
mouth.
This river system is a most important one. The
Wai ni Mala is navigated by canoes drawing 2 J feet
of water to Koro Suli, a distance of about 30 miles
by the river, above its junction with the Wai ni Buka.
The Wai ni Uuka is also navigated for about an equal
distance Light draught canoes go up the Wai-dina
2<) miles above ii- junction with the Bewa, and barges
with 20 tons of sugar canes come down the Wai Manu
a distance of about 8 miles above its mouth at na
157
Vusa. By the Wai ni Mala and Wai ni Buka, a
system of river navigation is continued down the
Bewa to the sea, a distance of 85 or 90 miles by the
course of the rivers. Plat-bottomed boats containing
about 15 tons of cargo, are brought from Messrs.
Scott and Harvey's settlement at the junction of these
two rivers, down to the sea, a distance of 55 to 60
miles.
The Navua River. — A branch of the Navua river
rises in the mountains near na Qara-wai, and joins
the main stream at Bega. The main stream is com-
posed of several large tributaries, which have their
sources near the banks of the Siga Toka, and on the
inland slope of a range of mountains which commences
at Serua, and runs in a more or less broken range to
the Bewa river. The Navua is a rapid river, and its
navigation is dangerous in consequence of the Namata
falls, about 25 miles from its mouth ; but the natives
convey produce from the vicinity of Naniosi, and
above Bega on the other branch, down to the sea.
Eor this purpose, rafts constructed of bamboos are
used, and as the river is a series of deep pools, rapids,
and sudden turns, it requires great skill and nerve
to steer either a raft or a canoe safely to the sea
The Siga Toka. — The main branch of the Siga Toka
rises near the sources of the Wai ni Buka, in the
mountains near Baki-Baki, passes Nadrau, and tra-
verses Viti Levu from north-east to south-west. On
the left bank it receives the Wai Suli Kana about
10 miles above na Tua-tua-coka, or Eort Carnarvon.
This branch rises on the western slope of the moun-
tains near na Qara-wai, and flows in a westerly direc-
tion until it falls into the main stream. A third, but
much smaller branch, rises on the eastern side of
15S
Pickering's Peak (Koroba), flows east by south, and
joins the main river at na Tua-tua-coka. The Siga
Toka is perhaps the longest river in Fiji ; but its
course lies at the bottom of a deep valley, which
narrows in some places to a perfect gorge or chasm,
at the top of whieh, and almost within a stone-cast
of its channel, some other rivers (notably the Wai
ni Mala, &c.,), have their sources.
The Ba river is formed of two branches, one of
which rises in the mountains behind Raki-Raki and
flows for some distance in a south-westerly direction,
then turns and flows in a north-westerly direction to
the sea. The other branch rises on the top of the
gorge overlooking Nadrau on the Siga Toka, flows
first to north-west, then turns suddenly to north-east,
and joins the main stream about 25 miles from its
mouth.
The Wai Delice rises in a ridge of mountains which
stretches along the coast with diminishing elevation,
from Namena to Viti Levu bay. The course of the
river, at first is in a southerly direction, then taking
a turn to the eastward, it reaches the sea near Verata
point. The Nadi river, which is of second or third rate
importance and size, rises between the right or main
branch of the Siga Toka and the left branch of the
Ba river, and flows westward into llaurau bay. On
its left it receives several small rivulets from the
northern slope of Koroba mountain.
Mountains <>>/d main watershed. — The main water-
si icd of Vcti Levu begins on the south coast near Serua,
and rims almost due north through the centre of the
island to the Nananu islands at its most northerly
point. The most important slopes are towards the
south-easl and south-west, only one river of any size
159
having a north- westerly course, viz., the Ba river.
The slopes on the south-east side of the main water-
shed are well wooded, and receive the south -cast trade
wind directly from the ocean. On them the clouds
of vapour brought by this wind, break, and pour out
ram like a deluge. The country on the N."W. side of
the watershed is denuded of trees, excepting a few
small patches of forest on the summits of some of the
mountains and on the steep rocky sides of a few
ravines. The ascending land and mountains on the
S.E. side of the watershed are the chief cause of the
descending slopes and hills on the N.W. side getting
little rain, during the time (6 or 7 months each year)
that the S.E. winds prevail in the group. Also, the
generally unwooded state of the country on the N.W.
side' largely contributes to the same effect. On the
other hand, when north-westerly winds predominate the
N.W. side is the wettest, at least its high-lying lands
and its best wooded parts are so.
Voma, in the vicinity of Namosi, is supposed to be
the highest mountain in these islands ; but there arc
several lofty peaks in the ranges near Nadrau that
challenge its supremacy. To give a description of the
mountain ranges in Viti Levu would be an almost
impossible task, they are so numerous, and they divide
and subdivide, and connect in a manner that seems to
be perfect confusion. The watershed just described,
will give an indication of how the land lies in a
general way. There is, however, a singular feature
connected with this main watershed, which deserves
notice. The Siga Toka flows for a long distance in a
deep valley, cut down as it were, through the centre
of the watershed, and dividing the eastern from the
western slope. At Nadrau this valley contracts into
a gorge about 800 feet in depth, and so narrow and
160
p that the sun slimes upon the town only between
the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The town is built at
the bottom of the gorge, and on the right bank of the
river, which at this place is a roaring torrent about
5 yards wide and Ifeet deep. The rocks on both sides
are agglomorate, and it is difficult to say whether the
chasm has been cut out by the water, or rent by an
earthquake, — most probably the latter.
The scenery on some of the rivers is grand, espe-
cially on the Navua, and the upper parts of the Wai ni
Mala. In many places these rivers and their affluents
have cut out channels for themselves through the rocks
and hills, which present many curious and striking
features to the Physiographer.
The island of Taviuni lies to the S.E. of Vanua
Levu, and is about 21 miles long by an average
breadth of 12 miles. It may be said to consist of one
mountain ridge, shaped like a pavilion roof, and
descending at its ends and sides to the sea. In the
centre it rises to an elevation of about 3,000 feet
above the sea. On the windward side it is covered
with dense forests from the sea to the summit of the
mountains. On the leeward side, where settlements
are most numerous, a good deal of timber has been
felled. There are no large streams on the island. In
many instances the water flows underground through
caverns, which are numerous, and boils up on the
beach, or a short distance out in the sea. There are
several extinct craters on it. Prom the position of
the island, its configuration and its dense forests, the
rainfall is very great, especially on the windward side.
There are several line roadsteads on the N.W. side
of tKe island, but no harbours. Vessels do sometimes
anchor and shin produce at some places on the wind-
ward side, but in general it is an iron-bound coast,
1G1
unsafe to approach on account of the surf, the high
seas, and the wind blowing constantly upon it.
Rabi is a fine fertile island, about 8 miles to
the north of Taviuni, and lying between it and
Natawa bay in Vanua Levu. It has an area of about
28 square miles. The mountains rise to a height of
about 1,500 feet. There is one principal range with
many lateral spurs and offsets. Rabi is well wooded
and watered, and lias many lovely valleys. The
anchorage is good, and there are several small but safe
harbours. However, the sea surrounding the island
is full of reefs and sunken patches of coral, which can
only be detected from the mast-head.
Loma-Loma. — The island of Loma-Loma lies to the
south-east of Taviuni, in the eastern part of the group.
It is about 16 miles long and 3 miles in breadth. A
range of hills runs up the centre of the island, from
which there are numerous offsets. It is not well
wooded, except at the northern end, but is fairly well
watered. It has good anchorage inside the reefs, and
close to the town of Loma Loma.
Koro. — The island of Koro lies about midway
between Taviuni and Ovalau. It rises about 1,500 feet
above the sea, and has an area of 58 square miles.
It is fairly well wooded and watered, and the scenery
in some places is very fine. There is good anchorage
for vessels on the northern side of the island, with
deep water close to the shore.
Ovalau. — Ovalau lies about 21 miles to the east of
Viti Levu, and occupies a central position in the
group. It has an area of about 42 square miles. It
is very mountainous, rising in some places to an
elevation of about 2,200 feet above the sea. There
are two principal ranges of mountains, one on its
Q2019. L
162
eastern and the other on the western side. Prom
these ranges there are many offsets, which again throw
off numerous spurs and crags. The scenery is conse-
quently varied ; narrow gorges with valleys opening
in into other valleys many times repeated. The
central or Lavoni valley, dividing the mountain
ran ires, runs north and south. The mountains rise in
almost perpendicular cliffs on "both sides, hut their
elevation diminishes towards the ends of the valley.
The valley opens out on the west side towards Bureta,
from which it is entered between two precipices, from
three to four hundred feet in height, and about 200
yards apart. The Lavoni valley, seen from an emi-
nence, is one of the loveliest in Fiji. From about
1,000 feet above the sea, to their summits, the moun-
tains are covered with wood. Ovalau is well watered.
In the bottom of every valley there is a streamlet,
which, in ordinary seasons, flows throughout the year.
The scenery is very beautiful in many places, but is
not on such an extensive and varied scale as in some
of the larger islands.
Levuka, the present capital of Fiji, is situated on
the cast !!-n side of the island. It is a straggling town
of one principal street, which, extending along the
beach almost at high-water level, is bordered on one
side by the sea. In this street are the shops, mer-
chants' offices, stores, &c. These occupy nearly all
the level ground. The dwelling-houses are perched
upon the rocky mountain side above the town, and
are approached by steep winding paths, over rocky
slopes, or by stair-like ascents. A worse situation
could not be chosen for a town. Indeed, except its
central position i<> other parts of the group, it has
nothing to recommend it.
163
CHAPTER X.
Hot Springs — Rocks — Minerals — Soil.
Hot springs are met with, in many parts of Fiji.
I visited several of theni, viz., at Wai Basaga on the
Siga Toka, about 5 miles from Port Carnarvon ; one in
Rabi; one on the northern shore of Natawa bay
(where I believe there are several others) ; one at Wai
Nunu; and the famous springs of Savu-savu. At
Vuni-sawan at the head of Natawa bay, there were
hot springs which had a wide reputation for curing
many kinds of complaints. They were, in conse-
quence, resorted to by large numbers of people, and
the usual hospitality to strangers, enforced by custom
and tradition all over Fiji, became so heavy that it
impoverised those who lived near the springs ; there-
fore the people shut the springs up, after much
trouble and labour. The natives pointed out the site
of the springs, in the bottom of a muddy creek.
The most extensive hot or boiling springs in Fiji
are at Savu-savu, on the south coast of Vanua Levu.
They extend for nearly half a mile along the beach,
where in many places, a hole scraped in the shingle or
black sand, is immediately filled with scalding hot
water. The principal boiling springs, three or four in
number, are situated about 100 yards from the beach,
in the centre of a hollow, which is surrounded by a
mound of earth. The water in these boils up to the
height of about a foot, with a gurgling sound. After
issuing from the springs, the hot water mingles with
a stream of cold water which flows within 3 feet
L 2
164
of them, and enters the sea by a small creek up which
the tide flows. At high water this creek is frequented
by the natives for bathing, and the hot water from the
springs cooling as it mingles with the water from the
sea, baths of any degree of temperature that the body
can bear may he had by going a few yards up or clown
the creek. These baths, the natives say, are efficacious
in removing and curing some kinds of complaints.
The natives who live in the vicinity cook the most of
their food in the boiling water of the springs. The
food is put into a basket and covered with straw, and
the basket is placed in the hollow or basin where the
water boils up. Stones are sometimes laid on the
straw to keep the food from being thrown out by the
force of the water. The black soil in the vicinity of
the springs is incrusted with a white saline substance.
There is no vegetation within several yards of them.
I believe that no satisfactory analysis, to show the
chemical constituents of the water of these springs,
has yet been made. The rocks near them are the
breccia, so common in Fiji, and a rock resembling
shalf.
The rocks most common in Fiji are calcareous, like
marl and limestone, and volcanic breccia or a<?<?lo-
merate.
These two are about equally abundant, the former
uppermost, the latter the underlying rock. Sand-
stone and shale like rocks also occur at some places,
notably in the interior of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu,
Basaltic, fcrachytic, or porphyritic rocks are not un-
common in some localities, and the lofty mountain
peaks (like Yoma in Viti Levu), in both the large
islands, are composed of them. In the instance of
Voma, the basaltic rocks resl upon the agglomerate
1G5
which was noticed where the ascent of the peak was
commenced, at about 1,S00 feet below the top. Co-
lumnar basalt is rare in Fiji, and the Fijians formerly
used its columns, or a portion of them, to mark, or
record, certain epochs or events which occurred in the
history of a tribe. These columns are generally seen
near the sites of the DeviVs Bures or old heathen
temples, and mystical or ceremonial rites may have
been attached to them. Near Savu-savu some colum-
nar basalt may be seen in situ in the bed of a
stream.
In Viti Levu and Vanua Levu, sedimentary or lime-
stone rocks are found on all the mountains. "Where
absent, denudation, it is conjectured, has been the
cause. It may be presumed that the characters of
these rocks have in many instances been altered by
volcanic heat, so as to resemble rocks of a different
origin. A case in point was noticed in the bed of
the Wai ni Loa branch of the Wai ni Mala, where
the strata had been folded into a vertical position,
and exposed to view by the action of the river.
The doubling up of the strata, from whatever cause 3
and upheavals, may be adduced as reasons for the
greater part of the surface of Fiji being hilly and
uneven. At Suva, the strata on the sides of the slopes
lie at a greater or less angle, while on the top of the
slopes the strata assume a somewhat horizontal or un-
conformable position. This would point to the pre-
sumed unconformable strata either having been
deposited after the formation of the other strata, or
what is more likely, these are the top of the folded
strata, i.e., the strata forming the slopes, and from
their horizontal position better preserved from denu-
dation. This rock in many places is soft, and crumbles
166
when exposed to the air. It is smooth and very
slippery when wet or polished, and is locally known
as Soap-stone. In other places it is hard, brittle,
and shattered to the size of road macadam, often rough
from coralline and other sands, pieces of shells, &c,
being imbedded in it. These may be noticed on des-
cending the cliffs from the native village of Tamavua
to the river, and again at the native town of Kaluba,
on the river of the same name, between Suva and
the Rewa. At Tamavua and Kaluba, the cliffs are
about 300 feet in height. At the last, the river has
cut down through this soft rock, and now flows
over a bed of hard agglomerate. There are many
large caves on the limestone cliffs in the interior of
Viti Levu. When coarse-grained, it splits readily into
small flags, which the natives, in some localities (in-
terior of Viti Levu), use for paving.
The agglomerate, or breccia, is supposed to be of
volcanic origin. It is composed of angular stone, black
sand, voleanic ashes, &c. It is very compact, and would
make a good building stone, but would be difficult
to work. It is a light brown or grayish colour. Where
exposed, the edges of the stones in it are rounded off,
but they arc held most firmly by the binding material,
and will break when struck, rather than come out.
This binding material is believed to consist mainly of
ox id'' of iron and lime. The rock is found in layers,
whieli vary in thickness and degrees of fineness. But
ii has no cleavages between the layers. The layers
diminish down to a thread-like fineness, and disappear
or run into one another. Insomeofthe layers the rock
i- as Jin«';i^ some of the rougher building sandstones; in
others it ^ composed of angular stones of various
sizes, up io thai of a cubic foot. Good samples of
167
these may be seen near Levuka, between Vagadaca
and Dribi. In exposed sections, it was noticed that
the long stones were lying lengthwise, never perpen-
dicular or across one another. These imbedded stones
are of volcanic origin, basalt or trap. To look at the
rock en masse, where it lias been exposed to the
weather, and then at the loose disintegrated stones
sand, &c, on the beach, or in the bed of a river, one is
struck with the similarity of their appearance. This
agglomerate is very largely represented throughout
the whole of Fiji. The mountains of Ovalau (2,200
feet in height), are composed of it. On the north-
western side of Vanua Levu it forms large cliffs
and mountain ridges. In several of these cliffs, seams,
or layers of coralline limestone, 6 or 7 feet in thick-
ness, were seen at a few feet above sea-level. In
the bed of a stream at Habi, veins of a trap-like rock
were noticed lying between strata of agglomerate ;
but a doubt exists as to whether these veins are trap,
or limestone altered by heat.
At the south-west side of Rabi there is a cliff of
sandstone which rises to a height of 20 feet above
the sea, and there is a similar cliff on the opposite
shore of Kioa island, about 7 miles distant. There is
also another on an island at the anchorage or roadstead
of Loma-Loma, but possibly it is of coralline origin.
The northern part of the island of Loma-Loma is com-
posed of coral limestone, and the southern part, near
the town, of agglomerate and basaltic rocks. Some, if
not all the islands in this part of the group, are com-
posed of limestone, basaltic, and agglomerate rocks.
On the south coast of Vanua Levu, between Savu-savu
and Waikava, " Fawn Harbour," the beach and adja-
cent islands are composed of upheaved coral limestone.
1G8
This raised beach varies in width from a few yards to
nearly a mile, and rises from sea-level to 100 feet in
height. At Mr. Chippendale's estate near Wai Levu,
Savu-savu hay, the coral heach has heen raised about
30 feet above the sea, and is now covered with soil to
a depth of 9 or 10 feet. A gentleman in sinking a
well on his property on the Tai Levu coast, about a
mile from the sea, found several fine sea shells at a
depth of about 11 feet below the surface.
In many parts of Fiji, even on the tops of the high
mountains in both the large islands, blocks of coral
or coralline limestone may be seen lying about, where
nothing remains but agglomerate, or basaltic rocks.
Taviuni is the only island of the group that I
visited of a purely volcanic origin, and it would seem
also to be a more recent formation than the others.
It is entirely composed of scoria, tufa, and basalt, like
Mauritius, Samoa, and the Sandwich islands. As
already noticed, there are several craters of extinct
volcanoes upon the island. This island has been
formed above water.
Symptoms of upheavals due to volcanic action, or
perhaps to earthquakes, are not wanting in Fiji, and
the hot springs are proof that great subterraneous
heat still exists below these islands. Unlike Taviuni,
the other islands have been formed under water, before
being upheaved. That they have been under water
before liny assumed their present form, is undoubted.
In some parts of Viti Levu, and particularly in the
centre of Y.uni.i Levu, there arc indications, on the
surface, of the soil having been exposed to great heat.
Si ill. throughout these islands, there is an absence of
what openly appears to have been the craters of active
volcanoes, since the upheaval of the land.
1G9
Although these islands have been formed by sub-
marine volcanic action, it would now be difficult to
point out, with certainty, the positions of the craters.
However, it may be assumed that the deep water
basins at the anchorages of the islands of Koro,
Mango, Rabi, and Savu-savu bay, as well as at the
basis of the cliffs on the north-west coast of Vanua
Levu, are the sites of craters, and that the perpen-
dicular cliffs at these places formed part of their sides.
The hollow of the salt lake, the Lavoni valley in
Ovalau, and the site of the town of Namosi in Viti
Levu, may be quoted as others.
Graphite, or black lead, is found near na Qara-
wai in the interior of Viti Levu, and malachite
of good quality, according to Seemann, has also
been found near Namosi. Copper, but in small
quantity, has also been found in Pabi. These metals
may yet be found in other parts of Fiji. Mint has
been found on the mountains near the native town of
na Wasa-kuba, not far from Pickering's Peak. Iron
in several of its many forms exists in every part of
the group, and numerous fossils will yet be found in
its limestone rocks.
Soil. — The soil of Piji islands is very productive.
In Taviuni it consists of disintegrated volcanic rocks,
scoria and tufa, mixed with decomposed vegetable
matter, one of the richest and most fruitful soils
known. Its average depth on this island will exceed
3 feet. In a feAv places, of small extent, the
rocks are covered with a thin coating of soil, but in
most places it exceeds 3 feet in depth. Its colour is
from dark brown to black. The soil of Ovalau is disin-
tegrated agglomerate and vegetable debris. It is also
a fertile soil, and appears to retain moisture better
than the soil of Taviuni, which most probably arises
170
from its being more clayey. The decomposed calca-
reous strata about Suva makes a capital soil when
mixed with vegetable matter, and it is surprising to
see how trees, reeds, grass, &c, grow on even a few
inches of it. To some light porous soils an applica-
tion of it would act as guano or marl. It retains
moisture well. The rock when broken up and ex-
posed to the air, crumbles to powder in a short time ;
and, in this condition it is capable of producing all
kinds of crops. In some localities, of small extent,
in both the large islands, particularly in the centre of
Vanua Levu, the soil is poor. In these places it is
red or white earth or clay, destitute of vegetable
matter at a few inches below the surface ; but where
the surface soil has not been destroyed, a dense
growth of trees, bushes, canes, grass, &c. is produced
on it. In all the other parts of the group the soil is
a mixture of the three first-mentioned kinds, with a
large quantity of vegetable matter added. Its tex-
ture is loamy, light, and friable. It is not over tena-
cious of moisture, and water passes readily through
it. Unless in the case of the lowest lying lands the
sub-soil is well drained. The flats or "bottom land "
may be said to be unequalled in fertility. On these
lands, crops of sugar cane, cotton, maize, tobacco, &c,
have been grown annually for a number of years with-
out manure, and apparently without diminishing the
fertility of the soil. What, in Fiji, is generally termed
poor land, is only so by the dryness of the locality;
and there is not half an acre of land in one place in
Fiji so poor as to be unproductive of some kind of
useful crop; neither is I here any locality in it so dry
that grass will not grow for at least nine months of
the year on an average of years.
171
CHAPTER XI.
Agricultural Products — Copra — Coir fibre —
Cotton — Sugar — Tobacco — Cocoa — Coffee —
Vanilla — Tea — Cinchona Bark — Rice.
The present agricultural exports of Fiji are copra,
sugar, cotton, maize, tobacco, some arrowroot, and
now, perhaps, a little coffee.
Copra, the dried kernel of the cocoa-nut, was ex-
ported to the value of £45,908 in 1876 ; £79,403 in
1877 ; and £122,194 in 1878. The value of coir fibre
produced from the husk of the cocoa-nut was for these
years, £2,953, £2,660, and £3,133, respectively. There
was also exported during these years cocoa-nut oil to
the value of £808 in the first, £941 in the second, and
£150 in the third. The value of cocoa-nuts exported
in 1876, was £318 ; in 1877, £461 ; in £570 for 1878.
The cocoa-nut is extensively grown in the group
both by settlers and natives. Young plantations of it
are yearly coming into bearing, and new ones are annu-
ally being formed. There is yet room for these plan-
tations being extensively enlarged, and that without
encroaching on the area which more important pro-
ducts will require. There is now comparatively little
cocoa-nut oil made in Fiji. This is principally
owing to the high prices which have lately ruled in
Europe for copra. An extensive establishment for ex-
tracting oil exists at Savu-savu, but the expense of
collecting the nuts in small parcels was so great, that
the enterprise had to be abandoned. The Pounce or
172
refuse of the copra after the oil has been extracted, is
a most excellent article for fattening cattle. This is,
at present, useless in Fiji, but it is of great value in
Europe, and enables the European merchant to give
more for the copra than the local oil manufacturer
could afford.
But when Eiji is fully settled, and many coffee and
sugar cane plantations are in full working order, a
local demand for JPounac will arise, as in Ceylon
and elsewhere, for feeding draught cattle; it will
thus become more economical to make oil in Fiji than
to sell the copra.
In Ceylon, Seychelles, &c, where the cocoa-nut tree
is grown on a large scale, small proprietors have mills,
worked by a bullock, for extracting the oil from the
copra, which they do to a certain degree of perfection.
These mills are sometimes hewn out of stone, but
more commonly they are made from the root end of a
large tree, of such tough hard wood as dilo or
vest. The introduction of these simple mills among
the natives of Fiji would be of great advantage.
They conld easily be made in the colony, but one
might be required as a sample. This the Government
of the colony might undertake.
The fibre yielded by the husk of the nut is, as coir
yarn, of great mercantile value for making ropes,
matting, &c. The Fijians take so long a time in
plaiting fcheirsinnet or coir by the hand, that although
done in a superior manner, the amount which the
merchants can afford to give for it is disproportionate
to the labour expended on it ; consequently the natives
make it only for their own use. In Ceylon there arc
simple machines for twisting or spinning coir, worked
by the hand. With one of these a man, aided by one
173
or two members of his family, will twine from 50 to
100 lbs. of marketable coir yarn in a day. The intro-
duction of these machines would be of great advantage
to the natives of Fiji. They make a great quantity of
copra for sale or taxes, but for the want of a simple
machine the fibres of the nuts are allowed to rot on
the ground. The value of coir per ton equals that
of copra, if it does not exceed it, and by the introduc-
tion of this simple machine, the Fijian would be
enabled to utilise the fibre, and so reap double the
benefit he now does from the cocoa-nut.
The number of trees that may be put down on an
acre varies from 50 to 100 (from 20x20, to 30x30
feet apart), according to the quality of the soil, and
whether the climate of the locality be wet or dry. On
an average the trees begin to bear about the seventh
year after planting, but a full crop need not be anti-
cipated until the tenth year. This is not owing to
absence of flower on the trees, but to a paucity of
pistellate flowers, and the inability of these flowers
when present to produce fruit while the trees are
young. A plantation will continue in prolific bearing
for about 80 or 100 years. The average yield per tree
per annum is about 100 nuts. About 6,000 nuts yield
a ton of copra, and about the same weight of fibre.
The value of each is about £14* per ton in Fiji, and
these quantities may be produced on about an acre of
plantation in a fairly good bearing condition. The
estimated cost of clearing the land, planting the trees
and attending to them until they begin to bear, is
from £15 to £25 per acre, according to circumstances.
The after expenses are those of gathering the nuts as
they fall from the trees, husking them, and drying
the copra. As cattle can be pastured on the grass
growing underneath the trees, after they are eight
174
years old, that will pay the keeping of the plantation
in good order.
Excepting Viti Levu, the cocoa-nnt thrives remark-
ably well in all parts of Fiji, and the trees are gene-
rally as healthy and fruitful as in the best plantations
that I have seen either in Seychelles or Ceylon. In
Viti Levu the leaves of the trees are attacked by a
caterpillar to such an extent as to injure the health of
the tree, and prevent its bearing fruit abundantly.
The ravages of these catapillars Avere noticed in some
of the other islands, but there they seem to be kept
down by birds or insects and prevented from increasing
to any injurious extent. The subject ought to be
investigated, in order that a remedy may be found and
applied ; and if this be done the cocoa-nut tree could
be increased a thousand fold in the colony. The Go-
vernment and the Fiji Agricultural Association might
take up tli is matter together.
From what has been said it will bo understood that
the sugar cane thrives well in Fiji. There are about
21 distinct varieties of the cultivated sugar cane
indigenous in the group. These are cultivated by
the natives for their own use. They eat the cane in
its natural state, and also boil the juice until it attains
the consistency of molasses, for sweetening puddings,
&c. The wild sugar canes found in the group have
already been alluded to.
The manufacture of sugar in the colony has quite
recently been commenced, and is yearly growing in
importance. Tin' value of the sugar and molasses
made and exported during the last three years is as
follows : iii 1 876, £10,433 ; in 1877, £1Q,170 ; in 1878,
£18,611 . The value of rum made in Fiji and exported
during '>7- \\;is ti)25. Since I left the colony seve-
ral large mill^ have been put up and it may be anti-
175
cipated that in 1880 sugar will be exported to the
value of £60,000. These figures show the increasing
importance of the sugar industry in Fiji. The total
area of land in the group suitable for growing sugar
cane is approximately estimated at 1,000 square miles.
These cane growing lands are situated in all the prin-
cipal islands ; in the interior of both the large islands as
well as near the coast and the flats on the banks of the
rivers. In most instances they consist of rich alluvial
soil, in the cultivation of which the plough could be
used. In the beginning of J 878 a block of about
650 acres of fine cane land, bounded on one side by a
navigable river, was sold at auction by Government,
for £1 10s. an acre.
W 7 hen capital has been attracted to the colony, and
these cane lands fully occupied and planted with canes,
and proper works put up for crushing the cane and
making sugar, it may be anticipated that about
200,000 tons of sugar will annually be made in Fiji.
The value of this sugar, together with that of molasses
and rum, will amount to over tive millions sterling.
Virgin or plant canes grow and ripen in from 12 to
15 months, and the ratoons can be cut annually. In
two instances the growers of the canes have mills on
their plantations, and manufacture their own sugar.
In all other cases the canes are grown by the planters
and sold to the sugar manufacturer at given prices
per ton of cane. These prices vary according to the
density of the juice : — 7s. per ton at 7 n Baume, 8s. M.
at 8°; 10s. at 9°; 12s. at 10°; 14s. at 11°; and 16s.
at 12°. There being few sugar mills the planters are
glad to get their canes crushed at any season of the
year, often when the density of the juice is at its
lowest ; even in summer or autumn, the worst seasons of
the year for cutting the canes. The ratoons of these
176
, -a mcs thus grow during winter and spring, when from
the dry cool weather they will grow least, and to ripen
dining the hot wet season, when they grow most and
ripen Least. This not only causes great loss to the
planter, hut also reduces the value of the exports of
the colony. Only when sugar mills become more
numerous in the colony will this state of matters he
remedied.
The average density of the juice in Fiji is between
9° and 10° Baume. At the worst season of the year
for crushing, the density of the juice is about 5° and
at the best between 10° and 11°. These facts, in con-
junction with the prices given per ton of cane, at once
indicate the loss sustained by the planters. During
the summer, autumn, and early part of winter, it took,
in 1875-6, 22 tons 4 cwts. of cane to produce a ton of
sugar, and from the end of winter, during spring, to
the beginning of summer, a ton of sugar w r as yielded
by 15 tons 14 cwts. of cane, or 3 tons of sugar in 47
tons 2 cwts. of cane ; while in the former it took
44 tons 8 cwt. of cane to produce 2 tons of sugar,
representing money values respectively, of 40/. and
60/., sugar being valued at 20/. per ton on the spot,
making thus a loss of 20/., or one third.
The expense of cultivation per acre, including cut-
fcing, is from 5/. for ratoons to 7/. for virgin or
plant canes. The weight of cane per acre averages
35 tons. From July 1876 to July 1877 the average
quantity of cane to the ton of sugar was 16 tons 1
cwt., or about 12 tons when the density was highest,
and 20 tons when lowest. There is no disease among
the canes in Fiji, nor arc they destroyed by insects.
When the disposition of the lands is made, a large
portion of cane-growing land will most likely belong
bo the natives, to grow their food plants upon, and
177
produce to pay their taxes in kind, or generally speak-
ing, for the natives to get a living from. If no sugar
mills are erected in the neighbourhood of such lands,
the natives will he prevented from growing and ren-
dering in kind the crop for which their land is best
adapted. In the event of capitalists not accepting a
guarantee from the natives, for the erection of sugar
mills, Government might give one on their behalf, on
approved conditions ; the natives of a town or village
to cultivate annually a certain number of acres of cane,
and, after paying taxes, the surplus of the sugar to be
sold, and the proceeds divided among the cultivators.
Coffee thrives remarkably well in Fiji, and its value
as an export will ultimately be second only to sugar,
and may be expected to amount to between three and
pour millions sterling. The area of land suitable
for growing coffee, cacoo, tea, and cinchona is approxi-
mately estimated at from 2,500 to 3,000 square miles,
and for coffee alone at about 2,000 square miles.
Nearly all the islands of the group have land well
suited for it, especially Yiti Levu, Vanua Levu,
Taviuni, Eabi, and Ovalau. The climate is well
adapted to the growth of the coffee plant, and so is the
soil, limestone being abundant in it. Streams, from
which water for pulping could be taken, run in every
valley ; and in localities where the soil and climate are
most favourable, these streamlets most abound.
The coffee plantations I visited were in excellent
condition, and the healthy appearance of the plants
and their vigorous growth were surprising. At one
of nearly 300 acres in extent, the young trees had been
topped at a height of 3J feet, when they were two
years old ; four months later, when I saw them, the
laterals were covering the space between the rows. The
Q 2019. M
178
plants were put down in rows, 6 feet apart and 6 feet
from plant to plant. They were in full flower, and
for a first crop the appearance of fruit was all that
could be desired, and Letter than I expected to see.
The internodes, between the leaves, were about 2 inches
long on an average, which is considered favourable.
At another and older plantation, 5 acres of very
irregular but healthy trees, and 5 acres of" 32 months
old" trees yielded about 60 cwt. of marketable coffee.
The last were planted at a distance of 5 X 5 feet, and
under the shade of large trees (the remains of the
forest that formerly grew on the land) which had
been left standing. These plants were much too close
together, and the growth had been so rapid and strong
that the lateral branches were overlapping each other
about a foot. The internodes, on the branches of
these plants, were on an average over 3 inches long,
which, as coffee only bears at the axils of the leaves,
gives indication of much Avood and little fruit. But
this is only the result of planting under shade.
The 5 years old coffee had also been planted under
shade, and some of the trees that bad been left
standing to protect the coffee had fallen, broken, and
destroyed a number of the plants. On the same pro-
perty, and side by side with these, was another plan-
tation •' 20 months old," which had been formed on
open ground. The plants averaged about 28 inches
in height, and were in full flower for the first time
when I saw them. They were in robust health, the
leaves of a dark green colour, and gave every indica-
tion of yielding an abundant crop. The plants were
put down at a distance of S X 8 feet, and the side
branches or laterals were within a foot of meeting
between the rows. The leaves were on an average
179
only an inch and a half apart, a sure indication of
abundance of fruit.
A third plantation of nearly 300 acres was being-
formed, and about 150 acres of it was planted. On a
portion of this the seeds had been sown in situ, the
remainder had been planted with young trees. Both
looked promising in the highest degree, the young
transplants being about 18 inches in height at the end
of 9 months, and robus tand healthy in proportion.
The fourth plantation was, for Fiji, an old one, 9 or
10 years of age. Although it had been abandoned or
much neglected, and the plants in many instances
allowed to be overgrown by weeds, and broken down
by cattle and falling branches, they quickly recovered
themselves when care was again bestowed on them,
and looked healthy and vigorous, all things considered.
The first of these plantations is on basalt, and the
soil is of purely volcanic origin, — scoria and tufa, mixed
with vegetable mould. The second is on volcanic
breccia, with soil made up of disintegrated particles
of that rock, mixed with calcareous or other sedimen-
tary deposits and decomposed vegetable matter. The
third is on calcareous and rough sandstone rocks, with
soil composed of these rocks disintegrated and mixed
with vegetable substances. The fourth plantation
was on rich alluvial soil on the bank of a river. At
two places on the Wai-dina, and one on the Wai ni
Mala, several excellent coffee plants were seen, and
their healthy appearance gives great hope of the future
success of coffee in the interior of Yiti Levu. But a
highly commendable action on the part of the Govern-
ment, in distributing seeds among the natives to form
plantations in the interior of that large island, will
soon put that matter beyond doubt. A good deal of
M 2
ISO
coffee see J has been imported from Ceylon. Great
caution is required in this, lest in importing the seeds,
spores of the coffee fungus, which has so disastrously
affected the coffee plant in that island of late years
should he imported along with them. Indeed, for the
welfare of Fiji, an excess of caution in this matter
would he laudable. Government might pass an ordi-
nance that all coffee and other seeds, plants of all kinds,
soil and packages from Ceylon should he disinfected
or purified with sulphur before being landed.* The
introduction of this pest would be injurious to Fiji as
a coffee growing country. Several (three or four) other
plantations are in the course of formation on favourable
soil and at suitable situations, and as they are con-
ducted by men of experience in coffee planting, success
may be affirmed.
Cotton was extensively grown in Fiji, and it lays
claim to producing the best cotton in the world. Fiji
is, however, too far from the markets of Europe for her
cotton competing in them with that grown in countries
more favourably situated. The value of the cotton
grown and exported in 1875 was 25,853/. ; in 1870,
1 2,022Z. ; and in 1877, 11,140/. During this last year
2,000/. worth of cotton seeds was exported to Europe.
It is still grown by some of the planters, but it will,
mosi likely, be displaced by the sugar cane. From
one-half to three-fourths of the cotton now exported
* Since these word- were written I learn that such a law has been
passed ' j the Legislative Council in Fiji; and since this was printed,
I have learned with much regret thai the coffee fungus has been in-
troduced with coffee seed from Ceylon. The Government of Fiji is en-
deavouring to stamp it oul by using disinfectants, isolating the in-
fected estates, ami destroying tin- infected coffee plants. There are,
comparatively . nol manj coffee plants in Fiji, and it is to lie hoped that
the endeavour will be successful. Mauritius, 30th November 1880.
181
from the group is grown by the Fijians for their taxes.
When grown on an extensive scale it still yields a
small profit, but the profit is so little that plantations
of less than 200 acres scarcely do more than pay
labourers' wages. It is otherwise with the Fijians
who have the produce for their work. The cotton
plantations were mostly small, from 20 acres to over
200 acres in a few instances. These small plan-
tations flourished when cotton sold at about 3s. per lb.
in the home market, but when the prices fell, after
peace was established in the United States, these
small cotton estates had to be abandoned. Were the
manufacture of cotton cloth to commence on a liberal
scale in either New Zealand or Australia, cotton
growing would, most likely, be revived in Fiji. Its
cultivation, unlike that of the sugar cane, which
requires the investment of a large amount of capital
for machinery, and coffee, from which no return is
obtained within three years, can be commenced on a
small amount of money, and receipts obtained within
a year. Therefore, while not so remunerative a crop
as either sugar or coffee, its cultivation has great
attractions for small capitalists. These hope to make
it a stepping-stone which will enable them to enter
on the cultivation of another product that will yield
a better reward, but which requires a greater amount
of capital to begin with than the growing of cotton.
" Sea Island Cotton " is grown by most of the cotton
planters. This variety is doubly valuable on account
of its seeds, which are worth 8/. per ton on the spot.
The variety known as Kidney Cotton is mostly cul-
tivated by the natives. This variety, as a plant,
is not only hardier than the Sea Island variety, but
182
its cotton is not readily damaged by rain, and is not
injured by hanging in the pod several days after
reaching maturity.
The climate and soil of Fiji are favourable for
growing tobacco. However, owing to a general
want in these islands of a practical knowledge in pre-
paring the leaves for the market, tobacco is not so
extensively cultivated as it could be ; but, there is
one plantation of it in the group, at Maro, on the
western coast of Viti Levu, where the leaf is prepared
in a very creditable manner. In some localities, in
the interior of Viti Levu, the Fijians grow it to pay
Government taxes. The natives also grow it for
their own consumption. They cure the leaves by
hanging them up to dry, generally in a shaded airy
place, which is the only preparation the natives
bestow on the leaf. When wanted for smoking they
break a small portion of a leaf, dry it on a hot coal,
envelope it with a bit of dried banana leaf, and smoke
the tobacco in the form of a cigarette, which they
call Selnka. They have not much to learn in growing
the plant, but instructions in the manner of preparing
the Leaf would benefit them as well as the settlers.
There are many localities in Fiji well adapted for
grown- ;.■• cacao (Theobroma cacao), or chocolate plant,
and so are the climate and soil. From measures
which the Righl Honourable the Secretary of State
for the Colonies has been pleased to take, the best
varieties of tin's plant cultivated in the West Indies
will soon be introduced to Fiji, where they will
undoubtedly succeed.
Vanilla will also grow well in Fiji, and its culti-
vation, from the suitabl the climate, &c, will
183
certainly he remunerative. But although the plant
has heen introduced, some time will elapse before a
knowledge of the method of fertilising the flowers and
preparing the " pods " for the market becomes general
in the group.
In the interior of the large islands there are large
tracts of land on which Tex^. and some of the valuable
kinds of Cinchonas (Peruvian bark trees, or quin-
quina), will most likely thrive.
Several tea plants (in pots) were noticed in Eiji, in
the verandahs of settlers' houses. The variety of the
tea plant which will best suit Fiji is that known as
the Assam Hybrid. It might be introduced from India,
and, for an inexpensive trial, distributed in small num-
bers (three or four plants to a town or tribe) among
the natives at such places as Nadrau, Babuca, Namosi
Vienunga, Namoali, in the interior of Viti Levu. The
cinchonas might be dealt with in a similar manner.
The varieties of this plant which will do best in Eiji
are cinchona succirubra, or Red bark, and other sorts
which are indigenous in the warmer parts of the
Andes. These might be obtained from India in suffi-
cient quantity for a trial, if not from Mauritius and
some of the Botanic Gardens in the Australian colo-
nies, where they are grown in collections of econo-
mical plants.
Many parts of Eiji are well adapted for the culti-
vation of Rice. Throughout the country there are
numerous old dalo or taro beds, which only require
a little repair to fit them for its cultivation. It
would be a most excellent article for alternate
cropping with Swamp dalo. The one would in a
manner prepare the ground for the other. In the
184
Tret districts, hill or mountain rice could be cultivated
along with land clalo. In most localities two crops
of swamp rice could he gathered from £he same land
in a year. The kinds of rice which the labourers now
being introduced from India prefer, are the varieties
known by the names of Mooghy and Baa lam rice.
The Paddy (seed rice) of these varieties mia-bt be ob-
tained from India.
185
CHAPTER XII.
Labourers — Markets for Produce — Land
Titles — Kinds of Native Produce.
Labourers, for working plantations in Fiji, are
mostly obtained from the New Hebrides, Solomon
Islands, &c. They are engaged for three years. Their
wages, exclusive of food, clothes, passage to and fro,
is 3/. per annum ; including everything they will each
cost the employer about 12/. per annum. At the
expiration of the engagement (three years), they are
returned to their homes in the islands with well
filled boxes of trade to show themselves and their
goods to their friends. They prefer payment in kind
to money. They are strong hardy labourers, but
utter savages when they land in Fiji. They have to
be taught everything, and require a good deal of
breaking in before they are useful. They are ex-
tremely lazy ; and the expense of overseeing them is
very great ; besides, their work is generally badly
done. If the supply of these labourers is unlimited,
as asserted, they seem to have an unwillingness to go
to Fiji, where the demand for them cannot be met.
They prefer going to Queensland, where they get
double the wages which they receive in Fiji. But
money is said to be of no consideration to them, as
they do not understand its value. In emigrating
they are moved by what to a European would be a
whim or notion. There may be some truth in this ;
but on comparing the quantity of goods which one
of them takes from Queensland, with those which
186
another brings from Fiji, there cannot be a doubt as
to which of the two countries the majority of these
people would prefer to go. Little dependence can
ho placed upon them preferring either. Their chief
reasons for expatriating themselves for a few years
are scarcity of food, quarrels, cruel inter-tribal wars,
and, above all, a desire to obtain fire-arms.
A number of Fijians are engaged on the planta-
tions. However, as a rule, they do not like to leave
home, friends, families, wives, and children, and enter
into an engagement to work for a year to the J?apa-
lagai, on a distant island, and for from SI. to 4d. per
annum and found. There they only hear of home
and friends by occasional rumour. But they have
not much objection to work for 11. 10s. or 21. per
month and food, for a month or two at a time, pro-
vided the work is within an easy distance of their
dwellings, which they can visit on Sundays or other
occasions.
To neither of these could a capitalist depend for
labour to work his plantations. It would follow that,
when he most wanted labourers, none were to be had.
Painfully, such is sometimes the case at present. To
put an end io uncertainties on this matter,and to obtain
cheap and good labourers, as well as a source to draw
them from, that can be dependedcd upon to yield a
large supply on demand, the Government of Fiji have
arranged with the Government of India to get coolies
from India. With India to draw upon, no planter,
who possesses meansj need, in Fiji, fear the want of
Labourers to cultivate his fields. The engagements
with these labourers are that they stay 10 years in
the colony, and serve their first employer, at whose
requesl ;m<l expense they were introduced, five years.
187
Their wages does not exceed Is. per day, all things
included. For field work, &c. in the tropics, East
Indians are unrivalled. Without them some British
colonies, and some foreign ones, would not be in their
present flourishing condition. There need be no
hesitation in saying that what has been done, and is
now being clone in these colonies, with coolie
labourers, can likewise be done with them in Fiji,
which, from its agricultural wealth, crying for de-
velopment, is bound to become not the least important
of Her Majesty's possessions.
Geographically, Fiji enjoys a most enviable posi-
tion, in regard to a market for her produce, such as
no other British (tropical) colony does. Situated
within the tropics, she is within 5 days of Auckland,
New Zealand ; 7 of Sydney ; and 9 of Melbourne by
steam. The climate of the country is healthy, the
soil fertile, rains abundant, and all are favourable in a
high degree for the cultivation of tropical products : —
indeed, just what are most wanted, sugar, tea, coffee,
rice, &c, in Australia and New Zealand. The de-
mand, or market in these colonies, for those products is
at present large, and will increase with the population
to an unlimited extent. No country is so favourably
situated, in all respects, for supplying such products
as Fiji.
To those who have capital, and are skilled in the
cultivation, &c, of tropical produce, or who can secure
the services of trustworthy men as managers with
the necessary knowledge, Fiji affords many oppor-
tunities for profitable investment.
Again, sugar mills are much needed in many parts
of the group by the settlers, who would give security
to the sugar maker or owners of the mills for the
188
cultivation of cane to keep the mills in profitable
work.
All land titles are given by the Crown, i.e., the
Government of the colony. After careful inquiry
Crown grants are issued as fast as circumstances
permit, to the old settlers, who purchased their land
from the natives before the sovereignty of Fiji was
ceded to Great Britain. Many of these settlers own
large tracts of good cane and coffee land, which, from
want of funds to cultivate, many of them would
gladly sell, at prices from 10s. the acre and upwards
according to circumstances of site, — cleared or un-
cleared land, stocked with cocoa-nut trees or not.
As reference has, in previous paragraphs been made
to various kinds of agricultural produce, cultivated
by the natives to pay their taxes in kind, it may be
of interest to allude briefly to some of them. The
principal are copra, cotton, maize, tobacco, and candle-
nuts. In respect to copra, the plantations or number
of cocoa-nut trees owned by the natives is very large.
New ones are also being made by them in every part
of the colony. The care bestowed on many of these
plantations in weeding and general attention leaves
much to be desired. Nevertheless the culture of the
lives fully equals that of the poorer settlers.
Some of the cotton plantations owned by the natives
are well laid down and admirably conducted. The
culture of the plants and the cleanness of the ground
from weeds are most recommendable. Others, again,
are in a semi-neglected state, the ground allowed to
be overgrown with weeds, plants growing too thickly
quently three or more) together, and the knife to
reduce the plant to a convenient size for picking the
crop, too sparingly employed. The natives sometimes
189
think that, by allowing the plants to grow thickly
together and attain a larger size, more produce will
be got. Not only so, but that the closeness of the
plants will prevent the growth of weeds, and so
labour, &c, will be saved.
The plantations of maize are in similar condition
to the cotton ones, some of them are w r ell attended to
and others indifferently so.
The Fijian does not seem to require teaching in the
management of his tobacco plants. He is well aware
of the effects of stopping the upward growth of the
plants, after they have reached a certain height, on
enlarging the lower leaves and perfecting their quality.
Experience gained from observation has taught him
the best soil and situation for the growth of the plant.
His favourite site for a tobacco plantation is that of a
house which has been burned. From the plants
grown on the few square yards of ground which the
house occupied, he wall gather upwards of 100 lbs.
of leaves.
The facility with which the natives have learned,
from the early settlers in the group, the manner of
cultivating these articles augurs w r ell for the future,
and shows that, were a little care and patience be-
stowed on teaching them better methods than their
own, they would be readily adopted.
The paying of taxes in kind is the best system for
the Fijians that could be put into operation, and from
the experience which they will gain by it in the cul-
tivation of mercantile products, it may be anticipated
that they will become extensive cultivators and pro-
ducers on their own account.
The Candle-nut, i.e., the seeds of the aleurites
triloba, is entirely a forest product, to be had for
190
gathering. It grows wild everywhere throughout the
group, but it is most abundant ou land which has
been cultivated or cleared by forest fires. It is par-
ticularly common in the sheltered ravines and valleys
in the province of Navosa, Viti Levu. During 1875
the value of the candle-nuts exported was £65 ; in
1876, £1,562 9*. ; £3,010 in 1877, and £3,515 for
1878. The value on the spot, in 1877, was a little
above £10 per ton, and dming this year 300 were
gathered and exported. This alone will show the
value of the forest products of Fiji, and that the con-
servancy of the forests in these islands would, besides
being generally useful and beneficial to the colony in
the way previously indicated, pay its own costs. The
Laucl or Candle-nut tree, is evergreen. It grows
rapidly, and in any situation or soil, produces at an
early age, and reaches a height of 60 feet when grown
in good soil and sheltered situations. The wood, which
is white, soft, and light, is occasionally used by the
natives for various purposes, but it is not durable,
and therefore valueless for most industrial purposes.
The leaves are lobed, or entire, variable in size from
2x3 to 9 X 12 inches in breadth and length. "When
young they are densely covered on the upper surface
with soft, hoary gray hairs, which gradually fall off,
and the leaves become smooth and green coloured
with age The flowers are borne on large panicles
which spring from the axils of the leaves or ends of
the branches. They arc white and not disagreeably
fragrant. The fruit is about the size of a small egg.
The outside is sofi and pulpy and readily decomposes.
The covering of the seed or kernel is a hard bony
substance, aboul the twelfth part of an inch in thick-
38. To gel rid of it the natives heat the nuts in a
191
fire and cool them suddenly by throwing water on
them ; beat them with sticks, or knock them between
stones. The Laucl yields an excellent blacking or
dye, for the manufacture of which an enterprising
gentleman has taken out a patent in Fiji. A ma-
chine for shelling the nuts would be of great utility,
and saving by labour, would cause the nuts to become
of greater value, and a larger export of them would
ensue. The offer of a premium by Government for
a really useful one would stimulate inventors.
In most cases the inhabitants of several towns,
and even a tribe, will unite in working a plan-
tation. This answers well when the site of the
plantation is in the vicinity of the co-operating town-
ships ; but it is different when the villagers have to
travel a number of miles to do their share of the work
on the plantation. This causes a waste of time, and
frequently takes the inhabitants of distant villages
from their homes for weeks at a time. Besides, when
the plantation is far away from those who cultivate it,
it is not so well cared for as it would be if situated in
the vicinity of their dwellings. However, the site of
a plantation is generally settled by the people them-
selves, or their representatives in the council of the
tribe, the Bose vaka Yasana. It would, perhaps,
be better for each village to have its own plantations
near the village, and under the Turanga ni Koro, or
chief of the village. The Fijian generally works in
fits and starts, and either overdoes or does not do
enough. Constant daily labour is what he does not
like. On the other hand, he is not an habitual idler,
and he who does not attend to the affairs of his family
and those of his tribe, has not much respect shown to
him by his fellow townsmen.
192
CHAPTER XIII.
Stock. — Pigs, Fowls — Remarks on the Fauma of
Fiji.
Stock, such as sheep, cattle, &c, thrive exceedingly
well in Fiji, and every planter has a herd of thriving
cattle. These are generally of the best colonial breeds,
and frequently expensive cows and bulls are imported
from the colonies to improve the stock. To judge
from the fine appearaece of the animals, the climate
of the country favours their growth and increase, and
shows that its grasses are sweet and nourishing. In the
meantime cattle are almost a drug in the colony and the
settlers are looking for a market for them beyond it.
When the country is opened up, the oxen will be most
useful for draught animals. In general, the land in
Fiji is too good for grazing stock upon, or growing
maize ; that is, crops of sugar cane, coffee, &c, would
be far more remunerative, both to the proprietor
of the land and to the country. But to the small,
not very enterprising capitalist, it is exhilarating
to see herds, and, therefore, money annually and surely
increasing, at little outlay, and without much trouble.
Several of the settlers are rearing herds of Angora
goats, and a lew ol" them possess flocks of good sheep.
Pigs, most probably introduced from Tonga, where
several were left by Captain Cook, are wild in the
forests. In the woods of some localities the domestic
fowl runs wild, and is as plentiful as pheasants in a
193
game preserve. Turkeys, ducks, geese, &c, do well
in Fiji, and a good turkey may be purchased for a
dollar.
The animals indigenous to Eiji arc several species of
bats or flying foxes and a small rat. A large frog and
ten different kinds of snake,s are found in these islands.
The snakes are harmless and are eaten by the natives.
This prevents their increasing in number which, on
account of their killing the rats that are becoming
numerous and destructive to the crops in some districts,
is to be regretted. The natives keep numbers of
dogs which they are fond of and kind to. With them
the native sportsman hunts wild pigs in the forests,
and raises wild fowl, which the hunter knocks down
as they fly with stones, or short pieces of sticks, in
the throwing of which the natives are experts.
Several kinds of wild ducks are plentiful in the
group, and so also are snipe and sandpipers. Wild
pigeons are numerous in the forests, and are, like the
wild ducks, &c, excellent eating. The golden or
orange dove is a most lively bird, whose plumage is
gold, or bright orange coloured, Some beautiful
parrots or parroquets are also found in the group.
The many coloured feathers of these birds and those
of domestic fowls, cocks' tails, are used for various
ornamental purposes by the natives.
Whales and porpoises abound in the seas which
surround the group. These seas also swarm with
numerous kinds of fishes, many of which are edible
and their quality is most excellent. A few are poison-
ous, and others are remarkable for their beautiful
colours. Sharks also abound in these seas. They
arc common in deep pools in the rivers ; in fresh
Q, 2019. n
194
water, and at long distances from the sea. Fresh
water fish, of fine quality and of several sorts, abound
in the rivers.
Turtles are found in these seas, and so also is
Beche de mer, which is annually exported to the value
of about £3,500. Shell fish, such as lobsters, &c, are
common, and delicious prawns are abundant in all
the streams and streamlets in these islands. Some
beautiful and rare shells inhabit Fijian waters. Among
them may be mentioned the orange cowry, which is
only found near Nadroga, on the S.W. side of Viti
Levu ; oysters are not uncommon, and they attach
themselves to the roots of trees, &c, at the edge of the
water. Pearl shell is found in small quantities, and
in 1877 it was exported to the value of £1,086. Land
crabs, some of which are good for eating, are common.
One of them, the Ugavule, inhabits some of the
smaller islands, Qele Levu and Vatuvara, and is said to
climb the cocoa-nut trees, remove the husks from the
nuts, break the shells, and eat the flesh !
Some kinds of insects, mosquitoes for instance, are
common at certain seasons of the year and in some parts
-of the group ; and travellers in Fiji should not forget
to take mosquitoe nets with them, as well as mats to
sleep upon. Flies arc numerous in some localities, and
are very annoying.
Some pretty beetles and butterflies are found in the
group, and fireflies light up the woods in the dusk of
the evenings. Highly curious and pretty leaf and
-tick insects, different kinds of mantis, are by no
means rare. The wings of some of them can scarcely
be distinguished From real leaves.
195
APPENDIX I.
Caoutchouc.
Caoutchouc, or India-rubber, was one of the things which
his Excellency Sir A. H. Gordon requested me to inquire into,
and determine what trees, shrubs, or climbers yielded it in
Fiji : — To ascertain in what manner the Fijians collected the
juice, and the nature and habit of the plants which supplied
it ; to see if they were abundant and where they were
growing ; and if they could be cultivated for their produce as
an article of commerce, and how the caoutchouc could be
best collected.
The Fijians name for caoutchouc is Drega which means
gum or glue that issues from a tree, fruit, &c, when wounded.
The term Drega Kau is generally applied to trees which have
a white milky juice.
The trees, &c, which yield the caoutchouc in Fiji belong to
the order apocynacese. Several are climbers, and belong to
the genera alyxia and lyonsia.
From a variety of causes I cannot with certainty give the
names of the species (of climbers) in Fiji; but will send them
out with specimens or drawings from England. The trees
from which the caoutchouc is obtained are tabernaemontana
pacifica, and two if not three species of alstonia, viz.,
alstonia plumosa a. villosa and another species or variety.
Seemann, in his Flora Vitiensis, has doubts about the correct
names of them, and as I have no other authority here to
refer to, the names will have to be sent from England.
The Tabernaemontana is a medium sized tree, attaining a
height of from 30 to 40 feet, with a trunk of about a foot in
diameter, and 12 to 20 feet in length.
The leaves are dark green, smooth, thick or leathery, oval,
from 3 to G or 8 inches long, and from 2 to 4 or inches
broad, prominently veined underneath.
The flowers are white, on a two or three times branched
panicle at the ends of the branches. The fruit is a berry, about
i-inch in diameter, and 1 inch long, yellow, or reddish yellow
when ripe. This tree is found all over the group. It most
abounds on alluvial soil, situated in low-lying places. When
N 2
196
found in the mountains it is in hollows or flats, where the soil
is rich. It is not uncommon, and a good many specimens of
it may be seen during- a day's journey. It is not gregarious,
but three or four trees of it may casually be found near each
other.
When the trunk of the tree is wounded, a thin white juice
flows freely from it. The Fijians say that the juice curdles,
and produces bad caoutchouc.
I could not obtain any caoutchouc from it, though I tried
on several occasions. Perhaps this was owing to the small
quantity of juice used, and its watery nature. The juice
requires a great amount of evaporation before caoutchouc can
be obtained from it. On that account it may be dispensed
with.
The climbers belonging to the genera Alyxia and Lysonsia
are not uncommon in many parts of Fiji. They are mojst
abundant, however, in virgin forests, in the outskirts especially.
They attain a large size, and spread to a great distance, over-
topping the trees to which they cling, and frequently killing
them. Their leaves, on foot-stalks from 1 to 2 inches long,
are opposite (verticillate two to four in a whorl in Alyxia)
rough or smooth, from 2 to 6 inches broad, and 3 to 9 inches
long, ovate or oblong. Flowers white, generally fragrant,
rising from axils of the leaves or ends of the branches in
large cymes, bi- or tri-chotomously divided.
Fruit of Lysonsia is capsular, that of Alyxia is a soft
fibrous drupe. They yield milk abundantly, which readily
coagulates. They are rude, large growing plants, requiring
supports, and the idea of cultivating them is therefore a
questionable one. They are not sufficiently numerous in one
part of the forest to render the collection of their juice remune-
rative.
Specimens of the large-leaved and small-leaved species of
Alstonia are enclosed. The former grows to about 30 feet in
height, Laving a trunk which sometimes attains a diameter of
it <a- so.
The small-leaved species is in every way a much smaller
tree. It seldom exceeds 15 feet in height, and the diameter of
trunk i- rarely beyond (> inches.
This species is most frequently found on the crests of ridges,
legations of LOO feet above the sea, to the tops of the
highest mountains in Fiji. It does not yield juice freely nor
abundantly.
197
Between these two species there is another, or a variety,
occupying a middle position in respect to character and
habitat. These, however, are so inconstant, that the tree is
not always easily distinguished from one or other of its
parents, as the two species above-mentioned may be termed.
For the sake of distinction, the large-leaved species may be
termed No. 1, the variety No. 2, and the small-leaved species
No. 3. While No. 1 is generally found on rich soil at the
bottoms of valleys and ravines, and No. 3 on the tops of the
ridges, No. 2 occupies the sides of the ravines between them,
and makes frequent incursions on the territories of both.
The flowers of the three kinds are cream-coloured, changing 1
to yellow as the flowers grow old.
As specimens of Nos. 1 and 3 are enclosed, they need not
be described ; and No. 3 need not be further alluded to, on
account of the small quantity of juice which it yields.
It is of the large-leaved species and the variety that I will
now treat. The follicles, or seed vessels of No. 2, are shorter
than those of No. 1 : also the tree and its leaves are generally
smaller. The seeds of both are from two to three-eighths of an
inch long, by one-eighth broad, thickly covered with dark
brown hairs, thin and flat, with ciliated edges, which look like
fringes when viewed through a lens. The leaves of No. 1 are
from 6 to 15 inches long, and from 3 to 6 or 8 inches broad.
The leaves of No. 2 are from 3 to 12 inches in length, and
from 2 to 6 inches in breadth. Though unequal in size, the
trees are equally hardy, and yield juice freely and abundantly.
No. 1 would seem to grow more rapidly than No. 2 ; but this,
and the greater size of the leaves, may be caused by the tree
growing on rich soil, and in sheltered situations. They may
be reckoned one species, whose characters vary according to
the position in which the trees may be growing. To this
view I am much inclined, because any difference I have as
yet seen is in the size of their different parts.
Neither of them is gregarious. They abound in all parts
of Fiji, and especially on land which has at one time been
cultivated. They are very common at Bua, on the leeward
edges of the woods or patches of natural forest which still
remain in that district. This may, very probably, be owing
to the grass, reeds, &c, having been burnt off the land, and
the wind carrying the seed from the adjoining trees on to it.
These would germinate after the first rain fell. This suggests
a very rapid and inexpensive method of increasing the plant,
198
for useful purposes, in any locality ; there being no expense
i d with it beyond those of collecting the seeds, burning
the grass off the site, sowing the seeds thinly over the ground,
and, perhaps, harrowing them in by dragging a few twiggy
branches over the surface.
It need scarcely be said that the sowing should take place
after the first rains of the season have fallen. In case of
greater certainty being desirable, a scratch may be made on
the surface of the ground with the foot, a few seeds dropped
into it, and the loose soil pushed over the seeds to cover them
from the weather. By such simple means, large tracts could
1"' speedily re-wooded with this tree. It only requires the
trees I > be growing in contiguity to make the collecting
of the juice remunerative.
What I saw at Bua confirmed an opinion that I hold
regarding the hardiness of the tree. It will grow in the
DO O
poorest soils, and in the driest parts of Fiji ; though, of course,
not so well as in a rich soil and moist situation. The tree
does not seem to have any particular season for flowering
and bearing seeds,— it does so all the year round. This, how-
eve]-, may be a characteristic of the species, not of individual
trees. In a locality where the tree abounds, one tree may be
found with its flowers in the bud, another in full flower, a
third bearing unripe fruit, and a fourth with its follicles burst-
ing, and the ripe seed falling from them. To obtain seed for
sowing, the follicles should be gathered when they begin to
change colour from green to brown or grey. This is the
indication of the seed being ripe. When gathered, the
follicles should be spread in a dry, airy room, the floor of
which should be covered with paper for the seed to drop upon.
Tli- t'nllicles should be frequently disturbed and shaken to
take the seed out of them. The seed should be kept in air-
Light vessels — bottles tightly corked would answer the purpose
— until the time for sowing. I am not prepared to say how
Ion- the seels will keep fresh, but judging from analogy, they
will not be injured by being kept two or three months. Still,
I would say that the sooner they are sown after being
gathered the better. The sowing should be done as early
in the eeason as possible, and certainly not later than
ember. In this a good deal will depend on the rain
setting io at an early or late period of the year.
The Fijian name of this tree is Drega qumqwu. They.
collect the juice in their mouths, which makes the caoutchouc
199
as adhesive as glue, and of about the consistency and colour of
putty. To get the juice, the Fijians break off the leaves from
the branches, and collect it as it flows from the petioles and
the wounds on the branches caused by the breaking off of
the leaves. The branches are next broken off the trees, and
each branch is broken up into pieces from G inches to a foot
long.
As fast as the pieces are broken, first one end of them is
placed in the mouth, then the other, till the mouth is full of
crude caoutchouc. Several mouthfuls are collected together
and squeezed into a round mass or ball. This method of col-
lecting the juice, with the ruthless manner of breaking the
trees, somewhat surprised me when I first saw it done. Since
then repeated trials in all parts of Fiji have convinced me that
the sap or juice does not flow freely by wounding the bark on
the trunk of the tree in any way whatever. This is the reason
for breaking the branches. The youngest branches of the tree
contain most juice. When the old or firm wooded branches
are broken very little sap flows from them. When the young
branches are broken the sap flows rapidly for a few seconds.
It soon coagulates when exposed to the air, and the wound
has to be freshened to cause the sap to flow anew. When
the branches are broken into pieces of about a foot in
length the juice flows from the ends and the pieces are drained
almost entirely. A little more may be obtained by breaking
the pieces in the middle, but very little. The juice flows
from between the bark and the wood, and from the pith, or
from between the pith and the wood.
The coagulated juice would seem to have some attraction for
the juice in a semi-liquid condition. If a portion of the
coagulated juice be applied to the semi-liquid juice adhering
to the ends of a broken branch, the slightest touch makes them
join firmly. The adhesion is so perfect that the portions will
not be separated, and a slight pull takes the semi-coagulated
juice clean out of the many fissures or cracks in the ends of
the broken branch. To obtain crude caoutchouc from this tree
the juice has simply to be collected and worked with the fin-
gers. It requires no other preparation. The juice congeals
so rapidly that when collected in dry weather it requires little
if any drying. The caoutchouc may be sent to market in balls,
or it may be pressed in moulds into long thin pieces, 1 or
2 inches broad and an inch in thickness (more or less) as may
be required. Samples of it have been sent to England, and
200
the quality was highly valued : — some of the samples as high
'. per lb., a price equalling that of the best Para
itchouc.
From the peculiarity of the tree not yielding juice freely by
wounding the bark, and the juice being obtained from the
g branches, 1 would suggest that the tree be cultivated
and the young branches cut, in the same manner as oak coppice
in England. The tree grows rapidly ; but I doubt, notwith-
standing its rapidity of growth and hardiness, if it would bear
having its branches cut annually, or even once in two years.
For a beginning I would recommend its being cut every third
year. However, cutting annually and biennially might be
tried for a number of years as experiments, in order to ascer-
tain what the results in yield of caoutchouc would be ; and the
effects of cutting each year, and once in two years, on the
healthiness and longevity of the trees, as compared with cutting
every third year.
The branches may be cut at any season of the year, but the
t time for cutting them would be when the sap was most
abundant in the branches ; and as the tree is an evergreen, and
\s all the year, at least in wet localities, the best time will
be during the wet season. This is generally the time that the
sap is most abundant in the evergreens of the tropics. The
sap might be collected at another time, and the result in weight
of caoutchouc, from a given number of trees, carefully noted
and compared with that obtained from the same number of
trees during the wet season.
When the young plants are from 1 to 2 feet in height,
their upward growth should be stopped. This may be done by
cutting off the top of the leading shoot, or by bending their
heads downwards, and keeping them to the ground by placing
a stone upon them. Both ways may be tried, but I would
commend the latter. By stopping the plants while young no
time will be lost in getting them to form coppice stools, and
should the plants have grown fairly well, they will likely be
'it for cutting to obtain caoutchouc in three or four years after
planting. To facilitate the cutting of the branches from which
to collect the juice, the stools should not be allowed to grow
_i,er than 5 feet above the ground. The plants maybe
mi thicklj together »o as to form dense masses of branches.
When at Babi,in March List, along with Captain Hill, we
made aboul an ounce and a half of crude caoutchouc from a
small tree, the trunk of which did not exceed 1£ inches in
201
diameter. Its head was composed of three or four branches,
the average length of which was 2 feet each, total 8 feet of
branches from which the juice was obtained. We proceeded
in a primitive fashion. The leaves were broken off, and the
juice from the petioles was collected on a leaf. The juice from
the wounds on the branches, caused by breaking off the leaves,
was also saved. The young branches were then broken off
the tree, and the juice as it came from the broken ends was
allowed to drop on a leaf. These branches were broken again
in the middle, but very little juice was obtained by doing so.
The juice thus acquired was collected on one leaf, and when
worked a little with the fingers it at once formed crude
caoutchouc. This caoutchouc was applied to the semi-coagu-
lated juice adhering to the broken ends of the branches. A
slight touch was sufficient to join both so perfectly that the
whole of the semi-coagulated juice was taken clean away from
the ends of the branches and out of all the fissures in the
broken stumps on the tree.
Probably the best way to collect the juice will be to cut the
young branches into lengths of a foot, and allow the juice to
drop from their ends into fiat tin vessels. Then break the
leaves off the branches and allow the juice as it flows from
the leaf stalks, &c, to fall into the same vessel, and apply a
portion of the caoutchouc formed to the ends of the broken
branches and the stumps on the tree, so as to remove all the
juice from them. By such simple means I anticipate that a
man to cut off the branches, assisted by two or three boys,
will collect 10 lbs. and upwards of crude caoutchouc in a day,
provided that the trees be growing closely together.
Working the half congealed juice with the fingers causes it
to part with all watery substances, and it is at once caoutchouc,
requiring only to be put into shape for the market. Judging
from the foregoing example, and it was by no means a fair
one, a coppice stool will yield at least two ounces of caoutchouc,
and that quantity could be made in about five minutes by a
man and two or three boys accustomed to the work. They
would soon collect that quantity by their own method of
catching the juice in their mouths ; and it remains to be
proved which of the two ways will be quickest, and give the
best result in quantity and quality of caoutchouc.
When once a plantation of the trees has been formed, and
the Fijians accustomed to gather and properly y>repare the
juice, I have every confidence in this matter turning out a
success.
202
A.s regards a market for the caoutchouc there need be no
anxiety. India-rubber is one of those articles that modern
civilization cannot do without. The quantity received from
America is decreasing, and the supply is not able to meet the
demand. India is the only country in which trees yielding
caoutchouc are being cultivated and increased.
I have, kc,
John Horxe,
Director of Gardens and Forests, Mauritius.
203
APPENDIX II.
Sandalwood.
To the Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Fiji.
Sir, Levuka, 31st October 1878.
I have the honour to acquaint you, for the information
of his Excellency the Governor, that, when I visited Bua, I
made a point of seeing as many sandalwood trees as possible.
I therefore requested the Roko Tui Bua to send a man to
guide me to where they were growing. This he did, and I
was shown 12 trees, and told by the guide that these were all
that were known to exist in the district. I was informed in
Levuka, that a quantity of sandalwood had been planted by
the Roko. I did not see any that had been planted, but if any
had been planted, and especially if the plantations had been
successful, they would have been shown to me. Besides, it
could not have been done without the residents at Bua know-
ing something about it. The trees seemed to be well cared
for ; the Roko has a tabu on them. Climbers, scrub, &c,
are cleared from around them, and they look healthy and
promising.
Sandalwood, as everyone knows, was once abundant at
Bua. Not only so, but from thence it extended through
Macuata to Udu Point. The country from Bua through
Macuata to Udu Point, is remarkably well adapted for its
growth, but I am thoroughly convinced that no dependence
can be placed upon what the natives of these districts say
regarding it.
The subject is one which deserves to be strictly and
thoroughly gone into. The native tax collector, if nothing-
better can be done, might be instructed to inquire, and see and
examine all the forests in the above named district for himself,
in order to ascertain correctly how much there may yet
remain of it.
A thorough examination of these is the most essential
preliminary step to be taken for the conservancy of the
sandalwood. This remark applies also to where the sandal-
wood is growing in Navosa. To assist in the matter, a drawn
up tabular statement is annexed.
The officer who examines the parts where sandalwood
may be growing, should fill ujd the statement, and give
answers to the questions in it. The return is filled in for an
20±
imaginary sandalwood forest, merely to give an idea of the
information required. The returns, when received from dif-
ferent parts, should be compiled into one which should be laid
on the council table for the consideration of the Government.
When correct information is supplied, Government will be in
a position to take proper steps for conserving the sandalwood
in the places where it may be growing naturally; or from the
few trees that may be growing in one place abandon such a
place ; or else by planting increase the number of trees so as to
make conservancj^ worth the trouble.
In any scheme of re- wooding for climatic reasons the dry
parts of Vitu Levu, and Macuata coast in Vanua Levu, sandal-
wood, from its value, hardiness. &c., and adaptation to these
parts, should hold a foremost place. The tree is a slow-
growing one, and compared with some other trees never attains
a large size, seldom exceeding 3 feet in circumference at 3 feet
above ground. It will probably require about 60 years to
reach maturity.
It.^ wood is dense, hard, and heavy. Its present value in
Fiji is about 101. per ton at the lowest. India is the only place
in which it is being preserved and increased. In all the South
Sea Islands, if not exterminated, the trees are rapidly decreasing
in number. The wood is daily becoming scarcer and dearer,
and being a natural product of Fiji, the subject of increasing
and making plantations of it, ought to be taken up by the
Government. About GOO trees of it, at the least, can be
grown and matured on an acre. The trees, when mature, will
give an average value of 10* each, at the least ; this at present
ie (which is rapidly increasing) would be 300?. per acre,
and, deducting expense of planting, guarding, cutting and
transporting the wood to the coast, there would be about 150?.
per acre at the least to the good.
In making a plantation of it, the .young trees should be put
down at the distance apart of 6 x 12 feet = about GOO trees
per acre.
that yield caoutchouc could be planted between
them at 12 x 6 feet apart, Thus —
x indicate f x • x • x
3andalw I, and J • x • x
utchouc trees. ( x • x • x •
Tin 11 but rapid growing tree, and its produce would
for the up keeping of the sandalwood tree- while the
were young. A- the sandalwood trees increase in size,
205
the caoutchouc trees should be thinned out. The caoutchouc
tree grows well, and naturally in the same places as the
sandalwood. Of course sandalwood or any other kind of trees
could be used instead of the caoutchouc.
In the case of sandalwood being used, one half of the trees-
would have to be thinned out when they were about one- half
or three parts grown, and consequently of no value, on account
of the wood not being fragrant. Any other kinds of trees
planted would be for the sake of their timber, and as they
would also have to be thinned out at an early period of their
growth, the timber would be valueless.
The caoutchouc is not a loDg living tree, and it would be
worked out at about the time thinning would be required.
The natives could collect the caoutchouc as taxes, or it might
be otherwise collected.
In the province of Navosa, which is well adapted for grow-
ing sandalwood, the Fijians might plant it instead of paying
taxes in produce, or they might be paid for planting it, while
at the same time they paid their usual taxes.
In either case the planting would have to be inspected by a
trustworthy officer. That being so a good extent per annum
would have to be planted in order that the fullest benefit
might be obtained for his salary, and the expenses of over-
seeing reduced to the lowest possible proportion per acre.
The plantation might be extended by annual instalments.
The above suggestions may also be applied to Macuata, and
the natives in the interior of Vanua Levu could do the
planting.
This letter may be read as a continuation of the letter
headed na Tua-tua-coka, and dated 19th July last. In addi-
tion to the suggestions mentioned in it with regard to j:>lant-
ing, &c, it may be mentioned that the weeds, grass, &c,
should be burned off the ground before planting by seed
sowing, &c, be commenced. Planting should commence after
the ground has been watered by the first rains, say in Novem-
ber, and as early completed as possible. When prolonged, the
young plants have not time to be sufficiently rooted to with-
stand the drought of the next dry season, and failure is the
result. The seeds preserve their vitality for several months, if
kept in a place which is neither too dry nor too damp. To
hasten germination the seeds may be steeped in water or mud
for a short time before they are planted. After this they
must not be allowed to get dry before, or when being put into
the ground,
206
\ copy of a regulation suggested for the planting, protect-
ing, and cutting of sandalwood by the Fijians is annexed.
As this report ma}- bo thought incomplete without stating
the probable results of extensively planting the sandalwood
by Fijians or Government, the}* are here given as follows: —
If 20 men, the inhabitants of one town, Koro, were to
plant 20 trees each per annum for GO years (the shortest esti-
mated time for sandalwood to reach maturity), that would be
20 x 20 = 400 trees planted annually, and 400 x 60 =
24,000 trees at the end of 60 years ; and 24,000 -=- 600 (the
number of trees per acre) = 40 acres planted. After the
60th year, 20 trees per man may be felled and sold, and 20
per man planted to replace them. The value of these 20
trees would, at the present value of 101. per ton, be 10/. per
annum to the heirs or successors of the man who planted
them, allowing each tree an average weight of 1 cwt.
In the instance of the Government planting say 100 acres
per annum for 60 years, the result would be 100 x 60 =
6,000 acres planted. In 60 years the trees on the 100 acres
that were first planted will have attained maturity. They
should therefore be felled and brought to market, and 100
acres planted to keep up the stock.
On the 100 acres there will be 60,000 trees at the before
given number of 600 trees per acre. These 60,000 trees will
weigh on an average 1 cwt. each, and 60,000 -=- 20 = 3,000
tons, which at 51. per ton will be 15,000?. clear profit per
annum, after allowing one half the value (51. per ton) for
the expenses of planting, preserving, &c.
The amount yielded annually by the caoutchouc would of
course be in addition to this. Abour 71. per ton would be
received for the timber standing on the ground, from a pur-
chaser, who would fell and remove the timber at his own
risk and expense. This would allow SI. per ton for risk,
expense of felling, removing, and profit to the purchaser. Two
pounds (21.) of the seven are allowed for the expense incurred
by the Government in planting, protecting, kc, leaving ."/.
per ton net profit.
As the Fijians would perform the necessary labour them-
selves, they would receive the full value, 10/. per ton, for their
andalwood.
It may be desirable for them to plant caoutchouc tre< 9
among the sandalwood as above recommended for a Govern-
ment plantation. If so, they may be directed to put down
the trees as in the example given. Otherwise they may be
207
directed to put down the sandalwood trees in rows, 9 feet
apart, and at a distance of 8 feet from plant to plant.
They may also be allowed, for the first two or three years,
to take a crop of maize, or any other kind of crop that would
not injure the young trees, off* the land on which the sandal-
wood was planted.
It may be said " the Government have no right to .plant
" and grow sandalwood, or any other kind of timber, and sell
" it." Such is beside the object, which may be stated broadly
as follows : —
The Government have to plant for climatic purposes, and
for the preservation of a constant supply of water in the
streams throughout the colony. Expenses must therefore be
incurred in planting, and in protecting the trees planted from
injury or destruction by any cause whatever, and also in
reserving, for the same purposes, tracts of natural forests, and
preserving the trees on such such tracts from being destroyed
or injured in any way.
It is evident that if the trees be not felled when they have
reached maturity, and the timber utilized, they will rot on
the ground and the timber be lost, and the community will
thus fail to derive that benefit from the estate which it ought
to receive for the money annually expended in planting and
protecting trees on it. By utilizing the mature products the
estate would be rendered self-supporting. Thus, while serving
the other purposes for which it was upheld, the estate would
be yielding to the public the fullest benefit which such kind
of estate may be expected to give.
I have, &c,
J. HORNE,
Director of Gardens and Forests, Mauritius.
The Honourable the Colonial Secretary, Fiji.
Sir, Na-tua-tua-coka, 19th July 1878.
Among other things which his Excellency the Honour-
able Sir A. G. Gordon requested me to report upon before I
left Fiji was sandalwood. Accordingly, I visited the sandal-
wood growing in this district two days ago, and in order that
steps may at once be taken for its preservation and extension,
I desire that you will bring the matter before His Honour
the Acting Governor. Owing to my knowledge of Fijian
being limited (and my interpreter and Mr. Langton both un-
208
well), I was unable to get so much information on the spot as
[ should have liked.*
However, I learned that the sandalwood has been long
known to the natives (its value, too, I surmise), and was at one
time widely spread over the district.
Many of the trees have been destroyed by fire and Fijian
cultivation, and it is now confined to two or three places, which
I i stimate cover about a square mile each.
Leaving na Suacoka we went up a valley to the left to a
Fijian town called na Wasakubu. From this we ascended the
hills to the right, and near the top entered the ravine where
the sandalwood is growing, through the site of an abandoned
township and immense boulders of limestone.
Down this ravine we proceeded for half an hour and arrived
at the first sandalwood trees. We found one of them dead ; it
had been carried down by a landslip. I got it cut up and sent
to na Tua-tua-coka, to be transported to Levuka.*
At this place the ravine is narrow and bounded by lands
which had once been cultivated, but are now overgrown with
ds. A little further down the ravine gets wider, and
branches out to the right and left. In a walk of about half a
mile, some 50 or 60 trees, young and old, were counted.
These were growing close to the path, and the heads of others
were observed among other kinds of trees at a little distance
off. Beyond the branch of the ravine on the left there are
patches of forest on the sides of the mountain (Koroba), in all
of which sandalwood is growing.
The trees among which the sandalwood is principally found
are daku ; dakua-salu-salu ; Lewninini ; vuga(meterosideros poly-
morpha) ; alstonia or the Fijian caoutchouc tree; damanu; acacia
richii, gumu. The condition of the sandalwood trees is de-
plorable. Many of them are barked and notched ; all of them
are broken down by climbers, and choked by useless scrub,
&C., and I suspect that numbers have been cut and carried
away. The soil on which the treesare growing is decompos-
ing limestone and disintegrating agglomerate.
For their preservation, I would suggest that a trustworthy
man be seni to survey the district in which the sandalwood is
growing; that the trees, young and old, be counted, and the
*tb and girth of each taken; that the scrub around them
be cut and chared away, and the climbers taken off; that all
the dead trees be a< once utilized, and the roots also dug up
A lar;."- port dow in the Botanical Museum iu the Royal Gardens
.v Kew.
209
and used ; that means be taken to prevent fire ; and that seeds
be collected and sown where the trees are to grow.
The sandalwood does not transplant readily even when
young, and the best way is to sow the seeds in situ, two or
three together, along with a few chillies to shade the young
plants from the sun.
All the district of Navosa is favourable for growing sandal-
wood, which is one of the most valuable natural productions
of the forests of Fiji. The path from the native town of
na Wasa-kuba to Tuba-na-sola leads through the part of the
forest in which the sandalwood grows.
I have, &c,
J. HORNE,
Director of Gardens and Forests,
Mauritius.
Suggested (amended) Regulations for planting, protecting,
and cutting sandalwood.
As sandalwood is very valuable, it is well that trees of it
be planted, preserved, and cultivated ; therefore be it enacted :
1 . Every man in all towns in the provinces of Bua, Macuata,
Navosa, and Ba, directed by the Bose Vaka-Yasana, subject to
the Governor's approval, shall in the months of November or
December in each year, plant 20 sandalwood trees in a piece
of good land selected for the purpose by the Bose vaka-Yasana
and the Buli ni Tikini, and such plantations of sandalwood
shall be kept clean and in good order and preserved, and such
sandalwood shall be the property of the man who planted it,
or his heirs, and may be used or sold by him or his heirs when
it shall have attained the size mentioned hereafter as the size
at which sandalwood may be cut.
2. Sandalwood growing naturally in the forests or planted
in a Government plantation is tabu, and no person may fell,
cut, or remove any sandalwood trees whatever without a license
from Government, or if in a private plantation the authority
of the owner.
3. It is unlawful to cut any sandalwood tree less than
2-^- feet in circumference at 3 feet above the ground.
4. Any person cutting or injuring a sandalwood tree of less
dimensions than stated in this regulation, or who has cut
sandalwood without a license from the Government or the
Q 2019.
210
authority of the owner of the sandalwood, shall be brought to
court and punished by imprisonment for any term not exceed-
ing three months for each tree, besides paying damages, and
alf sandalwood so cut shall be forfeited to the Crown or to its
lawful owner as the case may be.
5. Any person who may either steal or remove sandalwood
from any Government plantation or forest without permission
of Government, or from the sandalwood plantations of the
people without the permission of the owner, shall be punished
for theft, in the manner that the laws against stealing direct.
C. Any person who wilfully, carelessly, or thoughtlessly sets
fire to any sandalwood plantation or natural forest, or who by
raising fire beyond the boundaries of such plantation or forest,
and wilfully, carelessly, or thoughtlessly allows such to enter
into any sandalwood plantation or forest, shall be deemed
guilty of a crime, and shall be brought before a magistrate
and punished in such a manner as the law directs.
7. Nothing stated in this regulation shall prevent the
offender against any of the foregoing articles or clauses from
being prosecuted for high misdemeanour in the Supreme Court
should such, upon due enquiry by a magistrate, be considered
necessary.
8. The plantations of the natives shall be annually inspected
by a Government inspector appointed for the purpose, and the
condition of these plantations shall be by him annually re-
ported to Government.
9. Copies of this regulation, translated into Fijian, shall be
distributed in all the towns in the districts above mentioned,
and after due consideration it shall apply to all those towns or
people who possess land suitable for growing and maturing
sandalwood.
Regulation No. 6, dated 1878, of the Native Regulation Board
is hereby repealed.
John Horne,
Director of Gardens and Forests,
Levuka, 31st Oct. 1878. Mauritius.
211
*TABLE showing the quantity of Sandalwood growing
in the District of Navosa.
Name of the
Place where
growing.
1.
Estimated
Area in
Acres.
2.
No. of Trees
below 6" in
circum-
ference.
3.
No. of Trees
above 6'' and
below 18"
in circum-
ference.
4.
No. of Trees
above 18" and
under 30"
in circum-
ference.
5.
No. of Trees
above 30''
in circum-
ference.
Na Wagua *-
50
700
SOO
COO
400
{continued.)
6.
Names of the
principal!
Trees among
which the
Sandalwood
is growing.
7.
Is it over-
grown with
Climbers,
Grass, &c?
8.
DotheSandal-
wood Trees
appear to be
healthy and
growing
rapidly ?
9.
What Pre-
cautions can
be taken to
exclude Pirer
10.
What would
be the Cost
to carry out
these Pre-
cautions per
Acre?
11.
What watching
would be re-
quired to pre-
vent theft ?
Kau Tabua,
Kau Sola,
Dakua,
Damanu, &c.
Very much.
No, and
growing
slowly.
Clearing fire
breaks
through
and round
sites.
About 35.
A watchman
should be
appointed.
(continued.)
12.
What steps
would you pro-
pose to be taken
for extending
the Sandal-
wood ?
13.
What is the
Nature of the
Soil in which
the Sandal-
wood is
growing ?
14.
Is the Site
flat or hilly?
15.
Have the
Fijians
planted any
Trees, and if
so, how
many?
16.
When were
the Trees
planted ?
17
What is the
present size
of these
Trees ?
Planting.
Decomposing Very steep,
sandstone and
limestone.
Yes, 15 trees
3 years ago.
10 feet.
(continued.)
* This sample statement is filled in to give an idea of the information required.
O 2
212
18.
II w far is
- te from
the near* si
Town!
19.
What is the
Name of the
Town':
20.
Would the
Fijian s
be willing to
plant ?
21.
If so, how
many Plants
per annum
could a
Family put
down and
attend to.
22.
Has there been
any Sandal-
wood cut
recently ? If so
say how much.
23.
By whom and
for whom was
it cut?
10 miles.
Na Tuba.
Na Sola.
Yes, if re-
lieved of
their taxes.
20
Yes, last year ;
about 3 tons.
By Fijians of
the district
under the
Bull, and for
Government
(continued.)
24.
Do the Trees bear
Seed Ereely, and if
so, in what Month
do they ripen?
How many Years
does the Sandal-
wood take to
arrive at Mature
Stage of Growth ?
Remakks.
These may elucidate Answers and refer to
Matters not mentioned in the Columns.
Yes, they ripen in
December.
About 60 or 7o
years, but a great
deal depends on
the nature of the
soil and climate
of the locality.
The site, vide Col. 11, is very mountainous, and
the Fijians grumble very much at having to
cut sandalwood and carry it to the coast.
Planting, Col. 20, would seem to take the fancy
of the people, especially as they will not have
to make taxes during the years in which plant-
ing will be carried on. A watchman has been
n entioned in Col. 11, if the Government would
remit a small amount of the taxes the people of
Koro Na Wasa Kuba would gladly undertake
it. and be held responsible for the welfare of
the plants. Planting has been recommended as the best; the cost
would be about SZ. for 2,000 plants. As a large area might be planted
tin- annual expense of protection would be nominal, say about 3s.
per acre per annum.
The sandalwood trees are very irregular over the ground, the one half
of which they do not occupy. There are also 20 dead sandalwood
trees in the forest. These might be utilized. If left much longer
where they are the wood will be useless. It will cost l/. per ton
to carry it to the coast.
Note 'I I i information required must be tor each separate place or forest in which
tandalwood occurs. Each place must bear a distinct name or number by which it is or may
Iter be known. The officer who supplies the information must not fill up the columns
from memory or hearsay; aa correct information is required. He will see and count the
Jtc, himself. Jf any information be quoted the authority for it should te given.
Signature of officer who wrote this statement.
Signature of officer who counted the trees, &c.
213
APPENDIX III.
Propositions for a Forest Ordinance for Fiji.
Index.
Page
Section I. Appropriation of Land for Reserves - 214
II. Mountain Reserves - - -214
III. Community Reserves - - - 218
IV. Timber and Fuel Reserves - - 220
V. Marsh, River, and Stream Reserves - 220
VI. Survey of Reserves, Plans, &c. - - 222
VII. Right of Way and Transport - - 224
VIII. Forest Department ; Staff - - 224
IX. Forest Committee - - - 226
X. Management of Forest Reserves - - 226
XI. Sale of Forest Reserve Produce - - 228
XII. Accounts, Debit and Credit - - 230
XIII. Branding of Timber - - - 230
XIV. Offences and Procedure - - - 232
XV. Power to make Regulations - - 234
214
rr.orosmoNS regarding a Forest Ordinance for Fiji.
For climatic reasons, and for keeping an abundant supply
of water in streams, it is necessary that land be set apart
as forest reserves.
Section I.— Appropriation of Land to form Reserves.
1 . That all forest reserves be the property of Government.
2. That Government may purchase land to form reserves.
3. That the value of private land to be appropriated for
reserves be fixed by arbitration, should principals not agree
as to the price.
4. That in the instance of land, the property of any private
person being included in area of forest reserve (and owner not
disposed to sell it), the owner shall have liberty to fell timber,
firewood, &zc, but subject to such rules as the conservator of
forests (herein-after mentioned) shall lay down, from time to
time, as may be required.
5. That felling or injuring trees in such reserves without
written sanction of conservator be dealt with as if the laud
and reserve were Government property.
Section II. — Mountain Reserves.
G. That the sea be the base for all the mountain spurs that
terminate on the shore or run parallel to it.
7. That the water in the rivers or streams be the base for
all the mountains in the interior of Viti Levu, Vanua Levu,
Kudavu. Uvalau (Taviuni?), Koro, and Rabi.
215
Remarks on Propositions.
Section I.
1. When reserves are the property of private persons, as in
Mauritius, it gives rise to a number of troublesome and
vexatious prosecutions. The land is looked upon by its
owner as his own property, but he is debarred by law from
enjoying any benefit from it.
2. When land forming a reserve is Government property,
that property may be mauaged in the manner most beneficial
to the public interest.
3. To prevent exorbitant prices being paid for land to form
reserves, and give owner what neutral persons consider to be
the fair value of it.
4. Permission to fell timber on land forming part of a
reserve is what the owner is entitled to, thus enabling him to
derive benefit from his land, when for important reasons he
might be unwilling to sell it. At the same time, if the land
were unwooded, it might cause great injury to the community,
were it the watershed of any river or stream supplying a
town or thickly populated district with water for domestic
use and as a motive-power for machinery.
5. This will prevent such land being unwooded, and will
tend to ensure due punishment for reckless destruction of
trees.
Section II. — Mountain Reserves.
6. This article does not require explanation, and I would
propose that high- water mark, i.e., the place on the shore
where the land plants begin to grow, be considered sea-
level ; a difference of 6 feet might cause an act committed
at a certain place to be a contravention or not, depending on
whether the base, from which the elevation was taken, were
high or low water mark.
7. If the sea were taken for the base of the mountains in
the interior of the large islands, it would either cause an un-
necessary amount of land to keep as reserves, or it would
216
Propositions.
S. That the sea-level be the base for the mountains in any
other island of the group.
9. That one-third of the elevation of mountains (the highest
part) be reserved for climatic purposes, while the lower parts
may be cultivated.
10. That if the elevation of any mountain do not exceed
150 feet from the base, there be no reserve on it.
II. That if the elevation of any mountain exceed 150 feet
(from the base), the upper part of it, one-third of the elevation
be reserved.
12. That any slope of a greater angle than 55° from the
horizontal at the base, or more than 35° from the perpen-
dicular at the tup, be reckoned part of mountain reserve.
217
Remarks.
allow land to be unwooded which, for the purpose contem-
plated, it was desirable to keep in timber. To meet these
difficulties, and give a tangible base, the ordinary level of
water in streams has been selected.
Where the land plants of a locality cease to grow at edge
of the stream, be taken for the ordinary level of the water.
Taviuni's place in this article is doubtful. To judge from the
conformation of that island, if this rule were applied, Taviuni
would be unwooded, and so might be rendered barren, and
yet, were one-third of it reserved in timber, too large an area
of valuable land would be kept out of cultivation. Of the
two evils I am inclined to choose the last, as by the former
the whole might be rendered worthless. Its case would be
best met by dealing with it separately, but to this there are
embarrassing objections.
8. It is scarcely possible to be more than a mile from the
sea in the other islands of the group, and none of them con-
tain high mountains or large valleys opening into each other,
and the base suggested for them is a natural and fair one.
9. Here, although arbitrary, a line must be drawn, and for
the future welfare of Fiji keeping one-third of the elevation
of a hill top or ridge in timber cannot be considered too much.
This article should be considered conjointly with the next two
(10th and 11th).
10 and 11. It is not possible to fix a natural limit, and an
arbitrary one has been selected. Considering the numerous
ridges on the mountain sides in Fiji, with the fact that unless
they exceed a height of 150 ft. from the base no part of them
will be reserved, it would follow that nearly all these ridges
would be left unwooded. I therefore think the limit should
be lowered to 75 or 100 ft., under which there be no reserve.
To have all ridges of a less elevation than 75 ft. reserve, and
one-third of elevation of those above that height, would cause
too much good land to be kept in wood ; and to adopt the
rule of one-third in all cases would in many instances reduce
the part left for cultivation to a mere strip. Much may be
said for either way and while I consider a low elevation the
best to be adopted, the opinion of others may be worthy of
consideration. If in practice the elevation of 75 or 100 ft. be
found too low it can easily be raised, but it would cause trou-
ble and expense to lower the limit if one too high were taken.
12. Practically, it is not profitable to cultivate slopes of an
angle greater than that mentioned. Including them in reserves
will keep them in timber and so prevent landslips.
218
Propositions.
13. That should the top of a mountain be a plateau 50 ft.
from the banks of streams, and 200 ft. from springs and
marshes be reserves.
1-k That spurs and offsets to mountains and mountain ranges
be reckoned part of the mountains to which they belong.
15. That the boundary lines of mountain reserve in all cases
follow, i.e., be parallel with the elevation and depression of the
mountain ridge or spur.
16. That a base line on one side of a mountain be not the
base line for the other side.
17. That in cases of contravention or dispute the elevation
be taken from that part of the base line upon which a line
passing through the disputed part at right angles to the base
line will fall.
IS. That timber may be felled on mountain reserves, but
previous to such felling the trees be marked by conservator,
and that no trees be felled but such as have been thus marked.
19. That mountain reserves be divided and distinctly
marked out into " blocks " in which timber may be felled in
rotation of a given number of years, to be arranged by con-
servator and approved by Government.
Section III. — Community Reserves.
' 20. That there be community reserves for the supply of the
native population with wood for fuel, timber for house build-
ing, reeds, thatch, &c.
21. That community reserves be subject to rules of felling,
&a, suggested for each separate reserve by conservator and
approved by Government.
22. That conservator report annually to Government details
as to the condition of each and all communit}- reserves.
219
Remarks.
13. This rule, while it allows valuable land to be cultivated,
will also preserve the streamlets that rise on the plateaux.
14. The idea here is to prevent spurs and offsets of moun-
tains being left unwooded, and only a part of the mountain
reserved.
15. The boundary-line of reserve will follow the elevation
and depression of ridge. This will prevent unsatisfactory
disputes as to where boundary should be, were a line between
the tops of two distant peaks taken for the ridge.
16. This is obvious, but were it not stated, injurious decisions
might occur.
17. Requires no explanation, but unless mentioned the
elevation might be taken from any part of the base line.
18. There are some who maintain that trees ought not to be
felled on mountain reserves. This is equivalent to keeping up
an estate at great expense, and only deriving half benefit from
it. Felling and disposing of mature trees will be utilizing
what would otherwise be allowed to waste on the ground.
19. This will facilitate working, insure order, regularity and
economy in forest work, and from the produce being found on
a limited and compact area, a greater price may be anticipated
for it than if it had to be collected from an unknown and un-
limited extent of country. The periods (from 6 to 12 years)
should be fixed to answer the time when the greatest amount
of produce will attain maturity, and so insure the least amount
of waste.
Section III. — Community Reserves,
20. Were reserves to supply the natives with timber, fire-
wood, &c, not set apart, the wants of the native community
would be unprovided for. The result would be the constant
plundering of the other reserves when the country was settled
and land occupied, and much heart-burning and bad feeling
would ensue. A reserve of this kind might belong to one
village or it might supply several villages ; and from these
reserves the natives would have liberty to supply their legiti-
mate wants unquestioned.
21. The principal idea in this is to prevent that abuse of
produce in one year, which would cause scarcity or want the
next year, or several following years.
22. It is important that Government should know the con-
dition of these reserves, that produce be not abused nor reserve
220
Propositions.
Section IV. — Timber and Fuel Reserves.
23. That there be timber and fuel reserves for the supply of
Euro] iean towns, sugar mills, factories, &zc, with wood for fuel,
and timber for building and industrial purposes.
24. That in addition to reserves of other kinds named, 33
per cent, of arable land be set apart as reserves for supplying
timber for the purposes before stated.
25. That after due consideration, based upon experience, the
above per-centage may be lessened.
2G. That timber and fuel reserves be also laid out in " blocks "
in which timber may be felled in rotation of a given number
of years, to be arranged by conservator and approved by Go-
vernment.
Section V. — Marsh, Stream, and River Reserves.
'11. That a " marsh " (not salt water) be a place where water
stands during nine months of the year.
28. That a "watercourse" be a place in which water flows
during nine months of the year.
29. That a streamlet, however small, in which water flows
during the year be reckoned a " stream."
30. That marshes, springs, kc. be reckoned part of streams
or watercourses.
31. That rivers, streams, marshes, &c, be Government pro-
perty.
32. That mangrove swamps on the sea-shore, at the mouths
or on the banks of rivers be reserves, providing that they
eed one acre in area, or if they exceed 20 yds. in width, by
a Length of 200 yds. or more.
:>:>. That Government grant access through these reserves to
river or sea-shore at certain specified places.
34. That at least 10 ft., measured horizontally, be reserved
in trees along each side of streams, and that conservator plant
trees on such reserve where they do not already exist.
I i:;tt ;i board of conservators be appointed for navigable
rive;-, their jurisdiction to extend from the mouth of the river
to the point where navigation ceases.
221
Remarks.
damaged for succeeding years. It will be understood that
though natives are free to use the produce, they will have no
liberty to sell any part of land forming such reserve.
Section IV. — Timber and Fuel Reserves.
23. The utility of these reserves is apparent. They will re-
tain in the colony large sums of money, which, in the absence
of such reserves, would annually be sent out of it.
24 and 25. The proportion of land to be set apart for these
reserves is large, but in a new country it is difficult if not im-
possible to forecast with exactness the requirements of a com-
munity at a future period, and it would be unwise to commit
an error that could not be corrected without much trouble and
expense.
26. This is necessary to insure the systematic carrying out
of forest operations, and the approval required from Govern-
ment, will cause the conservator to consider the pros and cons
of his suggestions.
Section V.— Marsh, Stream, and River Reserves.
Articles 27, 28, 29, and 30 are definitions. With regard to
the first and second : — where water remains for nine months
of the year without any means being taken to preserve it, it
may be concluded that, when means have been applied, the
water will remain throughout the year, and the watercourse
become a perennial stream.
31. To prevent the damming up of the streams, diverting
the water from its course, and to debar any person from using
the water so as to injure the community.
32. To prevent these swamps being unwooded and fever
thereby engendered. It is assumed that no great harm would
ensue from the unwooding of such small areas, and the
expense of protecting them, &c. will be avoided.
33. Needs no explanation.
34. The foundation of the subject lies in keeping trees on
the land on which the water is collected, as a means to prevent
evaporation. Of course this article would be useless to large
streams, but to small bodies of water it will be of great
service, as they lose more readily by evaporation than large
bodies.
35. This article may be deleted.
222
Propositions.
Section VI. — Survey of Keserves.
3G. That conservator of forests and Surveyor-General mark
boundaries of reserves and set up boundary stones before
< i"\vn lands be sold, alienated, or leased.
37. That either conservator or Surveyor-General may depute
qualified assistants, who will act together.
38. That the instrument used in taking elevations be a
mountain aneroid.
39. That before any reserve be formed, Government be
furnished with a detailed report stating reason for reserving,
and giving estimated area proposed to be reserved.
40. That along with the report there be drawn out a plan of
proposed reserve on a large scale, showing springs, water-
courses, streams, &c, and stating of what rivers proposed
reserve forms part of watershed.
41. That all reserves be marked out on general plan of
island in distinct colours, and that the boundaries of the
reserves be carefully and correctly delineated on said plan.
42. That detailed plans of all and each reserve be kept in
conservator's office.
43. That such plans be furnished to conservator by the
Surveyor-General Avhen the reserves have been surveyed.
44. That each plan of a reserve state area in acres, and give
scale.
45. That each plan be signed by the surveyor of the reserve
and the draughtsman.
46. That if the plan be a copy, the copy indicate where the
original may be seen, and have the names of the surveyor of
th. reserve, draughtsman, and copyist affixed to it.
47. That without such particulars, no plan of a reserve, or
of lands bordering on a reserve, be accepted in a court in
bearing evidence.
48. That deputy conservators and rangers be furnished
with plans of all reserves within the provinces of which they
are in charge.
49. That each reserve be numbered and named, said number
fco indicate it on map of group, province, and island.
50. That all plans of reserves be duly registered and num-
1, the number to correspond with that on the general
plan of the province, island, and group for immediate reference
and information.
223
Remarks.
Section VI. — Survey of Reserves.
36. The opposite of this article will show the necessity of
marking out the reserves before the disposition of the neigh-
bouring lands. The reason for the two officers work in «•
together is to insure that, while the proposed reserve will
include all the land that is needful, all land unnecessary for
reserve will be excluded.
37. Remarks on this article are needless.
38. The aneroid is mentioned on account of its handiness, and
while generally correct, it would require to be tested occasion-
ally. There can be no objection to the theodolite being used.
39. Government being the controlling authority, it is essen-
tial that it be in possession of every detail respecting a reserve,
in order to form correct opinions on all matters connected with
reserves.
40. A plan such as this will not only elucidate report, but it
will assist in the formation of correct ideas on the subject,
frequently presenting to the mind ideas that otherwise mioht
not occur, and showing the necessity of forming a reserve in
the place specified.
41. When a particular reserve is mentioned, this will indi-
cate its situation, and as three kinds of reserves are suggested,
a different colour would at once point out each kind on the
plan.
42. These plans are necessary, and will be of immense
advantage in facilitating forest work of all kinds.
43. Plans being made under superintendence of the Sur-
veyor-General, will ensure their correctness.
44. Necessity of these particulars is evident.
45. 46, and 47. The aim of these articles is to prevent
spurious plans being used.
48. This will be of advantage in reporting on any occur-
rence, and submitting evidence to a magistrate.
49 and 50. The numbering of the reserves and plans, the
corresponding of these numbers throughout, and registering
the plans, will be found of no small advantage for reference,
&c, in all matters connected with forest preservation, and
being so, it seems better to provide for this by law, than to
leave it to the option of an officer, however intelligent or
methodical he may be.
224
Propositions.
Section VII. — Right of Way and Transport.
51. That the right of way through private property to any
rve be secured to Government for inspecting reserves,
;iking out timber, &c, subject to arrangement regarding
expenses of private roads.
~>2. That the right of floating timber in log and raft down
o o o
any river, stream, or canal, be secured to Government, subject
to arrangement regarding damages to canal gates, wharves,
and banks, boats, and all private property whatsoever.
53. That the conservator may, with the sanction of Govern-
ment, make roads through reserves, construct bridges, &c, and
keep the same in repair for the removal of timber, such roads
to be indicated on plan of said reserve.
54. That conservator ma}', with the sanction of Government,
remove natural obstructions from rivers for the floating of
timber.
55. That conservator furnish details of expenditure on these
works, and provide for them in his estimates.
56. That if possible all these works be done by contract.
57. That contractor give security for fulfilment of contract,
and proper behaviour of himself and servants, and in case of
non-fulfilment of contract, or bad behaviour on the part of
contractor or his servants, security be forfeited, and contractor
prosecuted, if need be.
Section VTIL— Forest Staff.
58. That Government appoint an officer to take charge of all
reserves, and that officer be styled conservator of foi'ests.
59. That Government appoint as many deputy conservators
of forests, rangers, &c, as may be necessary.
GO. That the forest staff be permanent and auxiliary, the
permanent staff to be as before specified, and the auxiliary
staff to be taken on as required, to superintend personally the
carrying on of all works in forest reserves, planting operations,
fee. '
6 I . That rangers be sworn in before a magistrate.
02. That rangers be acquainted with the Fijian language
before being appointed, and that their knowledge of it may
be tested by examination.
03. That Government give reward or promotion to deputy-
conservators, rangers &c., for proficiency in the Fijian lan-
guage, such proficiency to be tested by examination.
225
Remarks.
Section VII. — Right of Way and Transport.
51. Were the right of way to a reserve not secured, Govern-
ment might be debarred from getting access, or having to pay
o o o o i •/
an excessive price for it. The idea is the non-prohibition of
Government from using the roads of a private person through
land bordering on reserves. Roads to a reserve through
adjacent land should be provided in title deeds when the
ownership of land is transferred.
52. The reason here is the same as stated in the last, no
private person, corporation, or company, should have power to
prohibit Government from floating timber down any river or
canal.
53. Such provision will prevent misunderstandings, when
timber, &c, is offered for sale. Roads through reserves
largely enhance the value of the produce.
54. Obstructions, such as rocks, sand-banks, &c.
55. In order that they may be duly considered and provision
made for them in the annual budget of the Colony.
56. To keep the officials on forest staff at the lowest possible
number. The limiting clause provides for doing the work by
the department in the event of its being done improperly, or
on unfavourable terms.
57. Requires no comment.
Section VIII. — Forest Staff.
58: The services of a skilled forester will be essential to
organise the department and put it on a proper footing, super-
intend arrangement of reserves, and keep the whole working
in proper order.
59. The reason for this is obvious.
60 and 61. Remarks on these are unneeded.
02. Rangers will have frequent dealings with the natives,
and in places where no interpreter is at hand, a knowledge
of Fijian will be of importance.
63. To those who have a slight knowledge of Fijian a re-
ward will be an encouragement to increase their knowledge,
and it will be to the advantage of the department to give such
reward.
Q2019. P
226
Propositions.
64. That conservator, with the sanction of Government, may
dismiss any person on the auxiliary staff after due warning.
65. That any officer of the forest department who does not
perform his duties in an efficient manner may be dismissed by
Government.
GO. That Government may authorise conservator to dismiss
any official of the department of a lower grade than a forest
ranger, but that such official shall have the right to appeal.
67. That Government may summarily dismiss any person
employed in the forest department found guilty of having
taken a bribe, and that such dismissal do not hinder the
Government from proceeding against said person, and also
against the party who gave the bribe.
08. That if Government deem it necessary any officer of
the department suspected of having taken a bribe, but of
which there is not sufficient proof to take before a magistrate,
be dismissed from the service, but that said officer be not
debarred from proving his innocence by petition to Governor.
Section IX. — Forest Committee.
09. That a forest committee be appointed, of which the con-
servator be a member.
70. That the governor be judge what matters shall be re-
ferred to the committee, and what shall not.
Section X. — Management of Reserves.
71. The conservator send in to Government annually a full
and detailed report of all forest operations during the year,
report to state, among other particulars, amount received for
timber, amount expended on works, amount paid for salaries,
how officers have been employed, how contracts have been
carried out, how many licenses to fell timber have been
granted, amount received for them, rate per tree, rate per
cubic foot of timber, number of contraventions, nature of
offences against forest laws, and how offenders have been
dealt with; in short, every matter with which the department
Las had to deal during the year.
72. That conservator furnish the Government annually with
detailed estimate of income from all sources for the year,
under separate and distinct headings, stating from what
rves fund- are to be derived, and from what kinds of
produce.
227
Remarks.
64, 65, 66, 67, and 68. Remarks on these are unnecessary.
Section IX. — Forest Committee.
69 and 70. A forest committee (consultative only) will be of*
the greatest importance, giving weight and authority to
decisions on subjects regarding which it was difficult to form
opinions.
The conservator will give information to committee on all
matters to be considered. Such matters as contracts for
forest produce, contracts for works, &c, and utility of entering
upon expensive works, might be referred to committee.
Section X. — Management of Reserves.
Articles 71, 72, 73, 74, and 75. Require no explanation.
P 2
228
Propositions.
73. That conservator submit to Government annually de-
tails I estimate of expenditure for the year, under different
items, stating where and in what reserve it is purposed to
expend money for each kind of reserve and each kind of
work separately.
74. That conservator incur no expense for an} T thing what-
ever, without the previous sanction of Government.
7-5. That conservator, with the approval of Government,
may plant such parts of reserves as it may be thought
desirable to re- wood.
76. That before planting becommenced conservator submit
to Government scheme of operations, kinds of trees to be
planted, number of trees per acre, &c. ; cost of every item of
expenditure to be incurred under head of planting, watching,
preserving, &c, each in detail.
77. That before timber be felled on any reserve conservator
submit to Government full, comprehensive, and detailed
scheme of operations, proposed expenditure, and expected
income, each under separate heads.
78. That trees be planted on the sides of all roads through-
out the colony.
79. That trees be planted on the sides of streets in all towns
throughout the colony.
80. That conservator be empowered by Government to
incur expense in planting these trees and thereafter in attend-
ing to them, such expense to be kept separate from forest
expenditure.
Section XI. — Sale of Forest Reserve Produce.
81. That timber, &c., on forest reserves be disposed of by
auction, estimate, or license to fell per tree.
82. That conservator do not dispose of any forest produce
by private bargain without consent of Government
83. That any person entering into contract with the forest
department for timber or other forest reserve produce, give
such security as may be necessary for the proper carrying out
of contract, for correct behaviour of himself and servants, and
against all injury to trees, shrubs, or other reserve property
by himself, servants, or animals.
84. That in case of non-fulfilment of contract or improper
behaviour on the part of contractor or his servants, Government
may annul contract, forfeit security, and take possession of
tools, implements, &c., in reserves, and belonging to contractor.
85. That such seizure of property do not debar Government
229
Remarks.
76. This is an important article, as it requires estimate o<"
expenditure to be laid before Government before planting is
commenced. A forester can prepare a specification for plant-
ing as easily and correctly as an architect can for a building.
77. Government will thus have full information of works
proposed, expected income aud expenditure, how forest is to
be renewed — whether by natural growth or by planting — and
how all work in forests is to be done, &c. This will prevent
forest work being carried out in a thoughtless unforeseeing
manner, which would lead to the destruction of the forest.
78. Requires no remarks.
79. Unless the management of town roads or streets be in
the hands of the municipal authorities.
80. Conservator, being well acquainted with such work,
will be the proper person to conduct it, and prepare estimate
of expense per mile for doing it. As this expenditure will
not be upon forest work, the department should not be
charged with it.
Section XI. — Sale of Peoduce.
81 and 82. Remarks on these unnecessary.
83, 84, and 85. Although these matters might be dealt with
by existing laws of Fiji, making provision for them in forest
ordinance makes the ordinance more comprehensive and
complete.
230
Propositions.
fr< >m proceeding against contractor for default or damage in
any court of the colony.
SG. That all damages awarded under this head be in propor-
tion to the value of the trees, shrubs, or other reserve property,
and the extent of injury done to them.
Section XII.— Accounts, Debit and Credit.
87. That accounts, debit and credit, be kept for each reserve.
88. That proper account of expenditure in connection with
each reserve be kept in conservator's office.
89. That all money received for timber and other forest
reserve produce, be paid to Receiver-General on approved
forms.
90. That all fines, awards for damage to reserve property,
and value of articles confiscated, be placed to the credit of the
forest department.
91. That proper accounts of all such matters be kept in con-
servator's office.
92. That the forest department being a source of revenue
and expenditure, all accounts connected with it be kept sepa-
rate from other accounts in the Treasury.
Section XIII. — Branding Timber.
93. That Government have a private mark or marks for its
timber.
94. That all wood merchants and holders of licences to fell
timber use "brands" or " stamps " for marking all their
timber.
95. That all;' brands " or "stamps " used for marking timber
be registered in conservator's office.
96. That two persons do not use stamps of the same
pattern.
97. That it be criminal to counterfeit any timber brand or
stamp.
98. That it be criminal for any person to mark timber with
another person's stamp.
99. That it be criminal to erase a brand put on timber.
100. That it be criminal for any one to brand the timber of
another with his own stamp.
231
Remarks.
86. For example, a fine of 501. would be a poor compensa-
tion for damage done to reserves to the extent of 1001. The
aim of this article is to guard against this, as experience else-
where has shown the necessity for it.
Section XII. — Accounts, Debit and Credit.
87 and 88. Keeping accounts in this manner will, in future
years, give much satisfaction. It will at once be seen what
reserves have not given satisfaction in a monetary point of
view, and will cause an inquiry to be made as to the reason,
and a remedy to be applied.
89. Needs no remark.
90. This will recompense the forest department for damage
done to reserves, instead of allowing fines, &c, for injuries to
reserves to be reckoned as ordinary court or police revenue.
91. This will cause conservator to take an interest in seeing
that such fines, awards for damages, &o., are paid.
92. In order that when required there be no difficulty in at
once ascertaining how the department stands as regards ex-
penditure and income. Accounts of these being kept at
Treasury and conservator's office, the one will act as a check
on the other, insuring correctness in detail as well as amount.
Section XIII.
93. The idea is that timber, &c, until paid for, is Government
property, and a brand on it will indicate that property wherever
found. After being paid, a brand of a different kind will be
put on the timber.
94. Applies to all timber felled in Government reserves, and
will be of great service in preventing timber being stolen.
95. To prevent fraud by altering stamps.
96 and 97. Remarks needless.
98. A might mark the timber belonging to B with C's
stamp, either to defraud B or to get C into trouble.
99 and 100. Require no remark.
232
Propositions.
Section XIV. — Offences and Procedure.
L01. That any person raising five in a reserve, and intention -
. . thoughtlessly, or carelessly allowing the fire to spread
and cause injury to the reserve, he punished by fine or im-
prisonment according to the extent of the damage, and in
addition be made to pay full value for such damage.
102. That any person, master or servant, who may kindle a
fire without the boundary of a reserve, and intentionally,
thoughtlessly, or carelessly allow the fire to run into and
cause injury to the reserve, be punished by fine or imprison-
ment according to the extent of the injury done, and in
addition have to pay full value for such injury.
103. That in the case of fire occurring in a reserve, any person
who will not assist in extinguishing the fire when called upon
fco do so, be brought before the nearest magistrate, and
awarded such punishment as the nature of the case may demand.
104. That in the case of fire occurring in a reserve, any
person who shall perceive the fire, and not give warning,
extinguish, or aid in extinguishing it, be punished by fine or
imprisonment as the magistrate shall decide.
105. That illegal felling, injuring, or destroying trees in
reseives or on the sides of roads or streets, be punished by
fine or imprisonment, according to the nature of the offence
and amount of injury done, and offender, in addition to such
punishment, have to pay for the injuries done.
106. That any person trespassing in a reserve for an illegal
purpose, be punished by fine, and if need be, by imprisonment.
107. That goats, sheep, mules, cattle, horses, pigs, \:c. found in
a reserve, or browsing on or otherwise destroying trees on sides
of roads or streets, be conveyed to the nearest pound, and the
owners have to pay for injuries done and expense of pound, or
find security for payment, before the animals are given up.
108. That without such impounding of animals, the owners
may be brought before the nearest magistrate, who will at
oner adjudicate, and award such fine or damages as shall meet
the exigencies of the case.
L09. That in the case of the illegal removing of timber from
any reserve, the offender be awarded punishment in proportion
to the nature and extent of the offence, and the timber, &c.
gaily removed, will, after punishment has been awarded, be
red fco Ltfl rightful owner, or its value in money should
timber be previously disposed of.
110. That all animals, tools, carts, kc. used in the illegal
removal of timber be confiscated and thereby become the
233
Remarks.
Section XIV. — Offences and Procedure.
Remarks on this section unnecessary.
23i
Propositions.
property of Government, to be disposed of as Government
may direct.
111. That any person committing an offence against the
forest laws be brought before a magistrate by summons if well
known, or warrant if necessary.
112. That if need be, any person committing an offence
against the forest laws may at once be arrested and taken
before a magistrate.
113. That conservator, deputy conservator, forest ranger,
officer of police, or police constable may arrest, or cause to
be taken before a magistrate, any person for a breach of the
forest laws.
114. That in case of the illegal arrestment of any person,
he who made, or caused to be made the illegal arrestment,
pay damages, or be imprisoned as the magistrate shall decide.
115. That no case of offence against forest laws be ruled out
of court because of informality of proceedings or of information.
11G. That any person who shall hinder any officer of the
forest department from doing his duty be brought before a
magistrate, and awarded such punishment as the magistrate
shall deem necessary.
Section XV. — Power to make Regulations.
117. That Government make regulations, with the advice of
forest committee, for the carrying out of forest laws.
118. That these regulations, if in accordance with the tenor
of forest laws, have the same force as the law.
119. That because any part, article, or clause of these regula-
tions, or the meaning of such be contrary to sense of forest
laws, all and every part of regulations be not considered
contrary thereto.
120. That all rules and regulations drawn up by conservator,
and approved by Government, for the disposal of timber, prices
fixed on it, &c, and for the carrying on of all works and
contracts for works of all kinds for the benefit of forest
reserves, or facilitating the extraction, floating, carting and
removing of timber, firewood, or other forest reserve produce
from any reserve, have the force of law.
John Horne,
Director of Gardens and Forests, Mauritius.
235
Remarks.
Section XV. — Power to make Regulations.
To provide for the legality of any regulations that may be
necessary for carrying out or enforcing the forest laws.
236
APPENDIX IV.
The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, Fiji.
Sir, Levuka, 8th November, 1878.
I have the honour to enclose for the consideration of
Government rules suggested for the felling of timber on lands
belonging to Government.
The conditions provide for private parties felling trees on
what may be termed a limited scale. However, they can be
applied with no alteration to the felling of oversized timber
on a forest block of any extent, the right to fell on which was
granted, on payment for the trees, to one person. Of course
in that case, the permit to fell the trees, as well as the agree-
ment, should state the time in which the trees would be felled
and all the timber, &c, removed from the forest. In this
instance the number of trees would not be stated in the
permit. But the trees should be counted and paid for by
tree — the prices varying according to kind, and as per agree-
ment made before the permit was granted. Good security
should be given for payment and proper behaviour. The
boundaries of the block should be mentioned in the permit.
Before any such extensive felling of trees was commenced all
conditions, &c, of agreement should be approved by Govern-
ment. In any case, where timber was being extensively
felled, the work should be overseen by a man appointed for
the purpose, and who would be always on the spot in the
forests, an<l held responsible for the operations being con-
ducted in a manner beneficial to the Government and the
future welfare of the forests. The conditions may to some
seem hard and onerous. When carefully examined it will be
seen that there is nothing in them but what a conscientious
man would of his own accord carry out without them. For
juch there would not be much need of these regulations, but
many consider that trees only grow to be destroyed, and that
without benefit to anyone.
The severest regulation will not restrain the actions of such
men if the regulation be not firmly and judiciously enforced.
237
And it is necessary that, before anyone be allowed to put an
axe to a tree, they should know what will be the result of
misconduct and damage to the forests, and interests of
Government.
The suggested regulations are in a crude state, and will
required to be put into legal language and form by the Crown
solicitor. It is evident that it will not do to allow people to
work " their sweet will " in a forest ; that might cause more
injury to the forests, and the Government interest in them,
than could be repaired in a hundred years.
I also annex a clause which, until a forest ordinance come
into operation, should be added to the suggested conditions
under which a permit may be granted. After the forest ordi-
nance becomes a law of the land one of the articles and
several clauses provided for the law being duly observed by a
permit-holder.
The price per tree has not been mentioned, for, obviously, it
will vary according to kind and where the tree may be
growing. However, before the tax inspectors were authorised
to issue permits, it would be well to give them a general idea
of the value of the different kinds, i.e., the sum which the
Government expects to receive for each tree of each kind.
I have, &c.
John Horne,
Director of Gardens and Forests..
Mauritius.
238
SUGGESTIONS for regulating the felling of trees on Government
land.
Permits (licences) may be granted to private individuals,
timber-merchants, &c, to fell trees on Government land, sub-
ject to the following conditions : —
1. That trees of the following kinds shall not be felled at a
less circumference than that undermentioned : —
Tavola,
G ft. circumference at 6 ft.
above ground.
Vesi,
6 ft.
at 6 ft.
jj
Dilo,
6 ft.
at 6 ft.
a
Damanu,
4 ft. G in. „
at G ft,
jj
Dakua,
6 ft.
at G ft.
33
Dakua, Salu salu,
or Kau Solo,
4 ft. 6 in. „
at G ft.
33
Lewininini,
4 ft. G in. „
at G ft.
?j
Kau Tabua,
4 ft. 6 in. „
at G ft.
33
Kausia,
2 ft, 6 in. „
at 4 ft.
33
Vaivai,
G ft.
at G ft.
33
Sagali,
4 ft.
at G ft.
33
Savoo or Cavoo,
4 ft. G in. „
at 6 ft.
})
Kau Kuro,
3 ft. G in. „
at 6 ft.
33
Mulomulo,
5 ft.
at 4 ft.
33
Kukulava or
Kulava,
4 ft.
at 6 ft.
33
Tovatova or Vuga,
and Vugavuga
2 ft, G in. „
at 3 ft.
33
Moivi,
5 ft.
at 6 ft.
)3
Cibi-cibi,
G ft.
at G ft.
33
Buabua,
2 ft. Gin. „
at 3 ft.
33
Koka,
5 ft.
at G ft.
33
Nokonoko,
3 ft.
at G ft.
33
/her kinds of trees, and sizes, &c.
may be added to this list
2. That the permits be issued in Ovalau by the commis-
sioner of lands. That in the provinces the permits may be
issued by the inspectors of native taxes.
3. Thiit the money be paid to the Treasurer for permits
issued in Ovalau. That in the provinces the money be paid to
the magistrate or other person appointed by Government to
receive money for licences.
239
Suggested Rules for regulating the felling of trees in Forest
Reserves, Fiji, previous to the Forest Law coming in
operation.
Remarks.
1. The different circumferences mentioned in this article are
those which the different kinds of trees attain at maturity.
A list giving girth of tree at maturity, under which girth no
tree shall be felled, dispenses with marking, and in the
absence of a skilled forester to mark the trees that are to be
felled, unskilled men can be permitted to fell without risk of
injury to forests.
2. The issuing of permits by Commissioner of Lands and
Inspectors is meant to be temporary, until a forest depart-
ment can be organized. These officers, from constantly moving
about the country, are better acquainted with the forests than
any others, and will thus be able to render efficient service in
forest matters.
3. The issuing of, and receiving payment for, permits in the
various provinces as well as in Levuka, will be of great advan-
tage to intending out-takers, thus putting them to the least
possible inconvenience.
240
Suggestions.
4. That the permits be signed by the person who issues
them, and by the person who receives the money.
5. That no permit be valid without both these signatures.
6. That neither the Receiver- General in Levuka, nor the
magistrates in the provinces issue permits ; but no permit
will be valid without the signature of one of these officers to
certify that the sum mentioned in the permit has been paid.
7. That all payments be made in advance.
8. That each permit state the time for which it is issued,
the name of the person in whose favour it is granted, kind of
trees he is permitted to cut, the number of them, where they
are growing, and the SIZE under which they MUST NOT be cut.
9. That the permit-holder may not transfer his permit to
any person without the sanction of the Government, nor cut
trees in any part of the forest, except the one mentioned in
the permit, without the authority of Government.
10. That the permit-holder be responsible for all damage
caused by fire raised either by himself or his servants, or that
may be done by any animals belonging to him.
11. That the permit-holder be responsible for all needless
destruction of young trees by his people, either in felling or
removing the timber, and for any injury done to any tree by
cutting or otherwise, either by himself or his servants.
12. That the permit-holder be responsible for trees being
felled either by himself or his servants, within 50 feet hori-
zontal measurement, of a stream, or spring, or of a fresh or
-alt- water marsh, or within 150 feet perpendicular elevation
from the top of a mountain or mountain ridge, unless such
trees have been marked for him to fell either by conservator
or his duly qualified assistants.
13. That the inspector of native taxes shall be the judge of
needless destruction, and from his decisions there be no appeal
pt to Government in the instance of the award to be paid
tor damages being thought too high by permit-holder.
241
Remarks.
4. Accounts of money received for permits at the Treasury
ought not to be mixed with accounts of revenue from other
sources, but kept a separate item of revenue of themselves.
In this way the amount of revenue and expenditure on
forests can easily be got any time.
5. To certify that the permit has been issued and money
received by the persons authorised.
G. The Receiver-General and magistrate being unacquainted
with the forests might, were they authorised to issue permits,
give liberty to fell trees in a place where, for forest purposes, it
would be most unsuitable to fell them, and thus unintentionally
cause injury that would take many years to repair.
7. To prevent difficulties in collecting the money.
8. Time allowed will vary according to number of trees to
be felled, &c, but it is necessary that it should be limited,
because, if the work were carried on in a dilatory, trifling
manner, it would not pay to look after it.
9. It is desirable that Government should know something
about persons who are holders of permits, and if the transfer
of permits were uncontrolled, it might give opportunity to
dishonest and worthless persons entering and doing damage to
forests. Besides, it would open a door for unauthorised pro-
ceedings, and tend to subvert all authority in forest affairs.
10. It is essential that the master be held responsible for
his servants, else there would be no guarantee against injury
done to reserves by the servants of permit-holders.
11. Of course large trees cannot be felled in a thick forest
without causing some damage, but permit-holders must know
that wanton destruction will not be allowed.
12. This will prevent injury until the forest law be brought
into operation. The last clause of this article can then be
applied to the authorised felling of such trees as Sagali, useful
for piles, or Doga, for firewood, &c, both of which grow in salt
marshes, and to the felling of Dakua Salu-Salu, Lewinini, &c.,
which generally grow on ridges of mountains, and yield timber
useful for special purposes. In both places the greatest care
is required that too many trees be not felled in one place ; for
this reason the marking of trees by a responsible Government
servant, previous to being felled is proposed.
13. If these matters were to be settled in a court of law,
they would be a source of continual trouble, and ultimately
the result would be, that the variable interpretations and
decisions of the magistrates would be the only recognised
Q 2019. Q
242
Suggestions.
1 4. That no tree (even of the kind named in the permit) be
felled unless there be growing within 4 yards of it, more than
three young trees of the same kind (or any other kind named
in article 1), to replace the one to be felled, and the permit-
holder shall be responsible for any tree felled in such situation.
15. That Government will not be responsible to permit-
holder, for the kind of tree being in that part of the forest
mentioned in the permit, or for the trees being of the required
size, but should it be necessary, the permit may be altered by
the Commissioners of Lands, or Inspector of Native Taxes
for any other part of the forest that may be agreed upon.
16. That the permit-holder remove from the forest all his
timber, tools, machineiy, animals, and workmen, before the
expiration of permit, after which date all timber, tools,
machinery, &c, remaining in the forest shall be taken
possession of by Government, and for which the permit-
holder shall have no claim.
17. That the holder of a permit produce or show his
permit at the request of a magistrate, tax collector, inspector,
sub-inspector, sergeant or corporal of police, or any European
constable, and any permit-holder refusing to show his permit,
may be arrested and taken before a magistrate.
18. That forests in which trees are being felled be inspected
regularly once a month, once a week, or as often as may be
required by an inspector of native taxes, or other person
appointed by Government.
19. That the result of such inspection be reported to
Government immediately after the inspection has been made.
20. That the permit-holder will, if required, point out
to the Inspector of taxes, or any other authorised officer, the
place where each tree was felled.
21. The Inspector shall verify, by measuring the stumps, or
by measuring the root end of the log (one side of which will,
if quared, lie taken for one-fourth of the circumference of
tree,) that no under-sized trees have been cut.
22. That the permit-holder use a stamp or mark, with
which he shall stamp each tree he fells, and the stump from
which each tree was cut.
23. That two permit-holders may not use stamps of the
same pattern. That it lie criminal to counterfeit any such
tamp.
24. That a register of these stamps be kept in the Com-
missioner of Lands' office, and that the stamp used by a
243
Remarks.
authority on forest preservation, a result, from experience of
the matter, most desirable to avoid.
14. To prevent trees being felled in places where there are
no young trees of approved kinds growing, to fill up the place
of those to be felled, and thus preserve the forest from being-
denuded of useful timber trees.
15. Were Government to be responsible for this it might
cause trouble, but when it is necessary, another part of forest
will be given.
16. To prevent waste of time and expense in looking after
cutting or removing of timber, it is desirable that all work be
completed within given time, but should circumstances occur
unavoidably to prevent permit-holder completing it, he may
have an extension of time granted by stating his case to
Government, in writing, before the expiration of permit.
17. This is necessary to prevent Inspectors, &c, from being
imposed upon by designing persons.
18. It is clear that frequent inspection is necessary, in order
to insure the carrying out of rules, otherwise permit-holders
would practically be allowed to do as they liked, notwith-
standing these rules.
19. That Government may have information of what is
being done in forests, and how forest laws are being carried
out.
20. To prevent Inspector's time being wasted looking for
felled trees.
21. To prevent the felling of under-sized timber.
22. This will prevent timber being stolen, and will aid in
the discovery of the party guilty of illegal felling.
23. This article requires no explanation.
24. The registration of stamps is important, as the stamp
marked on the permit might be effaced or altered, and then
could not be brought as evidence in a court of law.
244
Suggestions.
permit-holder be indicated on the back of his permit, and
the permit- holder shall not be permitted to use any other
stamp without sanction from the Commissioners of Lands.
25. That in all cases of verification the Inspector shall
verify, in the presence of the permit-holder, or anyone duly
appointed by him, failing his attendance, either himself or by
deputy, he shall have no claim against the decisions of the
Inspector.
2G. That at the expiration of a permit, the person who held
the permit shall not be exempt from responsibility as to
injuries done to the forest, by himself or his servants during
the time the permit was valid, and which were not detected
before the expiration of the permit.
27. That a copy of these regulations be given to the out-
taker of a permit ; another copy with his signature affixed to
remain in the possession of the person who issued the permit,
and which shall certify that the person taking out the permit
agrees to all the conditions under which it is granted, and
promises to observe the same faithfully.
28. That if Government deem it necessary, the out-taker of a
permit give reasonable security for his general good behaviour
and that of his servants, and for the due observance of each
article of the regulations by himself and his servants.
29. That a breach of any of these regulations, or of any
article of the forest ordinance, will cause the permit to be
cancelled, all money and security forfeited, and all timber,
animals, tools, machinery, &c, in the forest belonging to per-
mit-holder to be confiscated, and that such seizures and for-
feitures do not hinder Government from prosecuting the
offender should Government see fit.
I, A B , do hereby certify that I will duly
observe all articles in the forest ordinance, and the conditions
under which I have been granted a permit to cut trees for
months in the Government forest at
Siguature of permit holder
Signature of person who issued the permit
Dat*
John Horne,
Director of Gardens and Forests,
Mauritius.
245
Remarks.
25. It is necessary that the permit-holder be present to
give any information that may be required, and so tend to
prevent disputes as to the Inspector's decisions.
26. It would be desirable for the Inspector, accompanied by
the permit-holder, to inspect the forest at the expiration of
permit, and if the report of that inspection be satisfactory,
the permit-holder be free from all further liability.
27. This will prevent the plea of ignorance of conditions or
of forgetfulness
28. I think the necessity of security for good conduct of
permit-holder and his servants, and against all damage that
may be done will be apparent, and that no permit should be
granted without such security.
29. Punishment is not mentioned for infringements of any
of the preceding articles separately; this article includes all.
216
o> O cj ; - S3
-3 -S ^ "^ a 5d g 12
DO
s 3 5 .a . _§ * <2^|§
> s 7 c ^ ^ a — > _<u«- = 3(-
fl «j »< ,o es £ £ £ ° ^ "E pi tl " Hr S
2 -S^^^e-^Se ~ Lz -3 o ^9^3^
S S 5 P p 8 SiP .2 f fi .2 .-g S sT- s 5
p=i £ ^ ° o ,s « ° -3 -is o ? CU3 oP
Ti ^ -d o %-< o _, S3 -*- 5 ^5; 02 **
£ ■« M 3 & J I ^ 2> -°^s3 e 2
m o -45 t2 Jr ^ s ** s £ 2 ff *- ^
«
to oq .2 2 ^^ c
a s ^ ^ -= c ^
gg « r -fe ^ is i=pS 2 »
g S^^s35x
^ ET ? -2 ^ ^ -a
<D 3 r- S "
217
APPENDIX V.
Fiji Meteorological Statements.
TABLE I.
Abstract of Meteorological Observations,
Taken at Delanasau, Bay of Islands, Bua, Fiji, for the year
ending Dec. 31, 1877.
Latitude 16° 38' S. Longitude 178° 37' E.
Height above sea level, 77 feet ; distance from sea, 1 mile.
(Extracted from Fiji Times.)
Self-Registeking
Thermometers.
Rainfall
1877.
II
S "
3
d
3
g
IS
a
9
>>
gl
-3
11
O
DD
g.
>3 .
d.-s
ft
•
U
a
M
g 3 2
£ sj
p.
January
80.0
93.8
69.2
13.3
41.70
12.08
23
118
23.40
February -
81.3
93.8
72.2
12.9
13.46
2.20
15
54
17.55
March -
81.8
94.7
60.8
16.5
7.22
2.74
13
22
25.05
April •
May - -
80.5
90.8
71.2
12.0
5.65
1.11
14
33
10.49
79.7
91.5
64.0
18.3
0.83
0.63
6
4
5.78
June -
76.6
89.2
59.5
15.7
0.86
0.46
5
6
2.75
July -
74.7
87.4
59.3
15.3
5.52
3.30
9
36
1.3S
August
75.0
88.4
56.8
13.5
2.30
0.50
10
24
5.31
September -
75.0
89.8
56.3
19.5
0.41
0.37
2
3
4.45
October
78.7
95.8
60.2
20.0
1.29
1.10
4
6
6.!»3
November -
79.9
93.6
68.0
18.0
0.48
0.41
3
4
6.24
December -
84.1
97.6
70.8
18.8
0.81
0.81
2
2
9.30
Year 1877 -
78.9
97.6
56.3
16.1
80.53
12.08
106.
312
118.69
1876 -
79.3
97.0
60.0
16 3
91.36
5.73
135
383
—
1875 -
79.1
95.5
58.5
15.8
126.64
7.65
146
553
—
1874 -
79.3
94.1
61.3
15.6
103.48
4.85
165
405
—
1873 -
78.9
94.5
60.3
15.8
101.10
2.82
181
470
—
1872 -
78.9
97.5
59.3
15.7
127.03
5.05
180
502
—
1871 •
79.4
97.7
63.2
15.0
159.51
11.95
180
—
—
Seven years -
79.1
97.7
56.3
15.8
113.24
14.95
156
438*
Six years mean.
Notes on 1877. —
Extreme range of temperature in shade for the year was
41.3, or from 97.6 on 9th December to 56.3 on 14th September.
248
Highest mean temperature for any 24 hours, 88.1 on 9th
I >< cember.
Lowest mean temperature for any 24 hours, 69.2 on 9th
August.
( (reatest daily range, 30.6 on October 9th.
Least daily range, 2.4 on March 31st.
The mean temperature for December, 84.1, exceeds by 2.3
the highest monthly average yet registered at the station,
since January 1871.
The temperature in shade in December exceeded 90.0 every
day in the month except three.
The rainfall in January exceeded the total rainfall during
the remaining 11 months of the year by 2.87 inches.
In 74 hours ending 8 a.m. January 29, 27.32 inches of rain
fell causing extensive floods, but little destruction of property ;
this included 12.08 inches which fell in 24 hours on the 27th.
The only gale during the year occurred on March 31, from S.E.,
with light rain, thunder and lightening; it was not severe.
There was very little thunder or lightening during the year,
particularly during the last nine months. In April thunder
was heard on three days, once with lightening ; in May on
on two days ; then none till the 26th November and 30th
December.
N.B. — These results have been reduced from observations
taken daily throughout the year, at 8 a.m. Thermometers by
Casella. Rain gauge by Negretti and Zambra, rive inch
circular fully exposed.
Further particulars of the drought which prevailed from
August 11 to the close of the year: —
Direct
ion of wind.
Sunshine and clouds.
,
,
•
^
a
C
a
7
•=
a
3
3
o
1677.
§
£~
m
.-
i
o
— '
3 o
U.
ui
■A *-
00
o
8
& -
o
5-1
o
O
U
- .-
O
en
to
/.
K
fc
is
<
r-. ~
.a
H
a
o
S
03
Auguti
11 to SI -
21
18
2
1
9
2
8
5
•i
0.30
3
4
Sept.
30
36
1
l
■2
14
6
4
6
0.41
2
3
Oct.
81
21
6
:i
2
13
7
7
3
1
1.29
4
li
Nov.
30
21
!•
(i
IS
8
4
3
0.48
3
4
IltL
31
IS
104
13
80
It
Id
7
0.81*
1
2
148
4
1
4
68
33
25
17
3
3.35
14
19
This Include! 0.68 inches w hich fell on the 3oth.
249
Note. — January 7, 1878. — During the past week only one
shower of rain, equal to 0.10 inch fell, making a total for
the five months (nearly) 3.45 inches. Yesterday, January G,
temperature in shade rose to 98.6, the highest registered here
in seven years.
Wind in general blew pretty strong, but never increasing to
a gale nor falling to a calm, except occasionally at night or in
the early mornings.
Sun's rays in December intensely hot on some days ; on the
24th thermometer for solar radiation, by Negretti and Zambra,
with blackened bulb, and placed over short grass, registered
172.0, the extreme limits of the instrumont, and on the 2Gth,
165.7.
On December 24, the salt water in a tidal creek, 5 feet
below the surface was 97.0.; near the surface, in blackish
water, 95.0
The hygrometer gave some remarkable readings during
November and December, showing, for Fiji, extreme dryness
of the atmosphere : — On November 18, at 2.30 p.m., dry bulb
93.6, wet bulb 74.8, difference 18.8, deductions dew point 63.5,
tension of vapour -586, relative humidity 37. (Complete
saturation of the atmosphere being represented by 100.)
R. L. Holmes, Observer,
Fellow of the Meteorological Society of England.
250
<i
a
3
•[[ajjis.ttjpjo'ox
Mr"51nnnHH r, rH
X 0-1 Si iS 33 ^> •*
rlHrtrtWNH
•A'up
9U0 III UBJ }SD;B0JJ)
*i-nr. ii^-cr. c«sm
- s h « « r. n
■* r-i oi ?oj oi « osj <M
TPOiOC^^IO
•saqout
tn ijunouii) ' jbjox
© c r*~ oi -3 r- -3 -*- 33 © ec oo
51 K » « C N H
l*SrH«Hr-S
M
M
H
H
7.
O
O
•jnodBA sno.mby
jo oojoj oijscp UT!OJt
,-i Si oi 9a x oi -* 33 ia 33 © »o
^ "C -* T) r* r* -* r, i~ x 33 —
oc r- cc K i~ V — — >a » © r-
>N »1 r-l O O
« 00 1 00 Si l"
•juiOfi &HI treajl
74.0
71.3
74.1
73.0
71.8
07.4
60.1
04.9
62.9
68.1
00.9
72.4
ic Si
gjj 1 1 1 1 1
•qitia ;ajli }0 ubok
c s 2 .h « * « r. n ei "i h
00 00 ,-< <-< •?
t-r-i^.t-.r-r-.t»tS33i>.i>.*-
» io I 1 "? oo io
•qrna A^a jo treajj
81.4
B4.6
S3. 9
82.8
83.4
77.1
75.8
74.4
75.5
78.0
81.0
84.3
5311111
X X
H
M
13
H
■4
M
H
a
■A
•ssBJf) n; amtnisRu
1 1 1 1 1 52)33 | | |
«S 3CO O
I l I I I l I
•ung in miiuiuLVH
mm , .°.=;=.»'-=»
1 1 1 1 1 »>- «o eg oo i-i 05 oc
1 1 1 ! 1 1 1
u
o
o
a
o
§,§
a
•o3utu
.C[ICp Ut9 J£
o »i « 33 >o ^j :s »i C. t- -3 *
Z2 1 1 1 1 1
^•^leiiir.s - r. e--
•q^uoin
Shu up
uiuuiiujjg
00.8
73.2
71.7
72.1
70.0
65.4
02.4
62.8
05.0
60.3
08. 1
73.5
^o o © o ^
ea « ! l- ta is -ri
CC O CD CO 9 00
•q}uoui
iiuunp
lumutxujt
91.1
02.2
00.2
01. 1
91.6
S0.1
S5.8
83.0
82.9
S5.0
SO. 3
01.2
5^ c<J 1 r^ r~< 1-^ r-1
'UVdJg
rH oi ~ ~ = -s — 05 -» is oo — '
00 00 00 CO <X r-r^ 1~ l~ l~ t* X
*1 r-J WWCH
X 31 1 000)0)
2§B
i'S-fl
c la >
-'-
= t?>
a -2
■inuoin
Suunp jsoavoi
.- -* r! V oi — -J 3 i - y i - ~
i - -c ' ". . 3 y y y y y y / i -
oi 7i i"i 5i oi ii ft ii ii -Tj oi ii
«— 1 F^ ^ CC
31 1 * a 1
r. - 33 -
O.J OJ On| oj
•iljuoni
Saunp is.n|ii;jj
29.938
30.098
29.961
.'111. (121
30.096
30.174
30.100
30.121
80.209
80.198
80.138
80.058
S3 Si r~
00 3; 00
51^-1 1 C3 1
33 S> C3
«03 r? 30
'"'••'IV
T, 3 ".- '■-' T~ '~ T 3 3 ?.' 3 1'
x < / sSeoaoec 5.
t~ ^- -3 Ifl
**| |»*|
3. 3. 3. 93
Tl 01 01 01
to
iil'-ijljll
•^ -^ ~ < ~ -. -. < / ' ■-
STear is77 -
., Is70 -
* „ 1866 -
* „ 1866 -
* „ 1802 -
* .. 1861 -
Means and ex-
tremes.
jj
r3 **-• » <d
251
TABLE III.
Temperature of Air in the shade.
Five years monthly means and extremes.
Taken at Delanasau.
(From Quarterly Journal of Meteorological Society.)
Month.
Mean.
Max.
Min.
Mean
Daily
Range.
Mean
Monthly
Range.
o
o
o
o
January -
80.1
97.7
67.0
13.8
24.5
February -
80.0
94.3
68.2
13.1
22.1
March
79.8
97.5
68.5
13.8
24.2
A pril
79.5
92.4
67.5
14.3
23.3
May
79.1
96.5
60.0
16.4
28.4
June
77.9
92.0
59.3
16.9
28.8
July
77.3
91.7
61.3
17.9
28.1
August
77.4
91.0
58.5
17.3
28.5
September
78.1
92.8
61.7
15.9
26.3
October -
79.4
94.5
62.0
16.1
27.5
November
80.0
94.6
64.0
16.6
27.6
December
80.7
94.4
68.5
14.7
23.6
5 years means and 1
extremes. J
79.1
97.7
58.5
15.6
26.1
Greatest daily range, 29.5°, May 19, 1872.
Least daily range, 3.2°, April 3, 1871.
Highest mean temperature in 24 hours 80.7°, December
16, 1874.
Lowest mean temperature in 24 hours 65.9°, August 3
1873.
252
TABLE IV.
Rainfall at Qara Walu,
(Extracted from
Taviuni, South.— 1877.
Fiji Times.)
—
a
3
O
S <£
£ -
o '"
Amount that fell
in the day.
Amount that fell
in the night.
Number of days
rain fell.
Maximum in one
day.
Date.
January
27.23
12.58
14.65
24
7.73
On the 28th
February
17.93
6.82
11.11
21
3-34
„ 21st
March -
54.30
22.02
32.28
21
11.82
31st
April -
39.86
21.65
17.21
22
9.40
„ 1st
May -
5.38
0.52
4.86
11
3.15
„ 18th
June
23 . 90
10.67
13.23
18
5.18
„ 5th
July -
18.58
6.09
12.49
26
7.04
„ 10th
August ---
34.25
14.49
19.76
22
5.42
„ 5th
September
1.95
0.74
1.21
13
0.50
„ 1st
October
18.24
9.59
8.65
18
5.48
„ 28th
November
2.69
2.01
0.68
17
0.46
7 th
December
8.26
2.14
6.12
15
3.18
18th
Total -
251.57
—
—
228
11.82
—
1875 •
212.37
~
—
230
7.16
—
The above rainfall at Qara Walu, Taviuui, South, for the
year ending December 31st, 1877, was taken daily for the
previous 24 hours. 2£ miles from the sea ; height above sea
level, 5G4 feet by Royal Engineer's survey.
J. Newall.
253
TABLE V.
Statement of Wet, Showery, and Fine Days on the
Rewa River. — 1877.
(Extracted from Fjii Times.)
—
Wet.
Showery.
Fine.
January -
6
10
15
February
2
10
16
March -
8
6
17
April
3
14
13
May
4
27
June
13
9
8
July
3
8
20
August -
7
5
19
September
1
29
October -
7
4
20
November
3
27
December
3
3
25
52
77
236
1877
52
77
236
1876
64
79
223
1875
56
77
232
1874
71
83
221
1873
42
104
219
1872
65
85
216
Ed. Graham.
Wai ni Sasa, Rewa River, 25th January 1878.
254
TABLE VI.
Rainfall,
Results of Observations for five years ending 31st December
1875, at Delanasau.
i Extracted from the Quarterly Journal of the Meteorological
Society.)
Month.
Mean
Monthly Fall.
Greatest Fall
in 24 Hours.
Mean Number
of Days on
which Rain
fell.
Hours of
Rain Mean
for Four
Years only.
January
In.
25.69
In.
10.52
23
96
February
16.76
4.20
20
69
March -
25.74
14.95
22
91
April ...
11.25
4.74
18
41
May ...
5.78
2.10
11
28
June -
3.17
3.90
7
12
July -
1.64
1.53
5
8
August -
5.69
2.67
10
23
September
4.86
3.30
12
19
October -
7.16
2.80
13
30
November
7.08
5.52
11
25
December
9.33
2.90
18
40
Yrar -
124.15*
14.'J5t
170J
482§
• Mean yearly tall tor five yean.
! in :\ boon, March 19, 1871. Greatest fall in one month (March 1875)
nontfa (July i^Tu'i 0*86 inches.
: .V. . which rain Ml ; mean for live years.
Utr • Of hour's of rainfall for four years, equal to 20 days two hours.
255
TABLE VII.
Hygrometrical Results deduced from Dry and Wet
Bulb Thermometers, read daily at 1 p.m. throughout
THE YEAR 1875.
(Extracted from the Quarterly Journal of the
Meteorological Society.)
Mean Temperature of
Relative
Month.
Pressure of
Humidity
Air.
Evapora-
tion.
Dew-Point.
Vapour
(Saturation
= 100.)
o
o
o
In.
January -
86.5
79.5
75.0
.868
69
February -
85.4
78.9
74.7
.859
70
March
82.6
78.5
75.8
.891
80
April
84.9
78.1
73.7
.823
69
May
86.1
78.3
73.2
.817
65
June
84.9
76.9
71.7
.777
65
July
84.7
74.6
68.0
.685
57
August
84.7
74.4
67.7
.678
56
September
84.3
75.9
70.4
.743
63
October -
86.2
74.0
66.1
.642
51
November
87.1
76.9
70.4
.743
58
December
87.7
77.8
71.5
.772
59
Mean
85.4
77.0
71.5
.775
63
The lowest relative humidity noticed was at noon, on 26th
November 1875, namely : —
Air. Evaporation. Dew Point. Vapour Tension. Humidity.
° In.
89-2 72-0 61-2 -541 39
This occurred at a very dry period, the dry season having
been very much extended. During the three weeks previous
only 0*24 inch of rain had fallen, and strong, at times boisterous
southerly winds had prevailed almost without cessation, and
with, in general, a clear sky. This low amount of relative
humidity may be described as very exceptional in Fiji.
25G
APPENDIX VI.
List of Plants found in Fiji.
Alphabetical List of Plants (Ferns and their allies ex-
cepted), which, up to date, have been found in Fiji. The
species marked by an asterisk are endemic, or peculiar
to t Fiji islands. Those species that, at present, are re-
garded as new are indicated by sp. n. and N.S. It is
likely that several of these may be merely varieties of old
and well known species. The figures in brackets ( ) are
the numbers attached to the specimens, to identify them,
in the Royal Herbarium at Kew. Var. means variety.
The interrogation note (?) before a species signifies that
such species has, most likely, been introduced.
Abrus precatorius.
Abutilon sp. n. (378).*
Acacia sp. n.*
„ laurina.
„ Richii.*
Acalypha sp. n. (1,001).*
„ boehmerioides.
„ consimilis.*
„ denudata.*
„ anisodonta.
„ „ subsericea.
., „ subvillosa.
„ grandis.
„ insularia.
„ „ flavicans.
„ glabrescens
M „ stipularis.
„ „ villosa.
„ latifolia.*
„ repanda.*
„ var., n. (35).*
„ rivularis. '
„ Wilkesiana.
Uevifolia.*
Achyranthes aspera.
Acicalyptus (Calyptranthes)
sp. n. (251).*
„ eugenioides.*
„ myrtoides.*
„ Seemannii.*
Acronychia sp. n. (1,114).*
„ petiolaris.*
Adenosma triflora.
Adenostemma viscosum.
Afzelia bijuga.
Agalma vitiensis.*
Agation (Agatea) sp. n. (67) *
„ „ violare.*
Ageratum conyzoides.
Aglaia basiphylla,*
edulis.
multijuga.*
sp. n. (858).*
sp. n. (344).*
sp. n. (1,040).*
Aleurites triloba.
257
Alpinia sp. n. (593).*
sp. n. (879).*
sp. n.*
„ Boia.*
„ sp. n.*_
j, vitiensis.*
Alphitonia excelasa.
„ var. n. (G55).*
Alocasia indica.
Alsodeia Storckii.*
Alsomitra sp. n. (1,043.)*
(?)Alstoniasp. n. (857).*
sp. n. (861) *
sp. n.*
„ plumosa.
„ villosa.
„ vitiensis.*
Alyxia sp. n. (343).*
„ bracteoiosa.
„ „ microcarpa.
„ „ angustifolia.
„ „ parvifolia.
„ scandens.
„ stellata.
Amaranthus melancholicus.
„ „ tricolor.
„ paniculatus.
„ „ cruentus.
„ verides.
Amaroria soulameoides.
Amomum sp. n. (248).*
„ cevuga.
Amorphophallus campauula-
tus.
Anacardiura sp. n. (1,050).*
Andropogon aciculatus.
„ refractus.
Anrectochilus longiflorus.*
Arieilema vitiensis.
Aniseia multiflora.
„ uniflora.
Amplectrum ovalifolium.*
Antiaris Bennettii.
Q2019.
Antidesina sp. n. (491).*
sp. n. (692).*
„ pacifica.*
Appendicula sp., N.S.*
„ bracteosa.*
Araliaceae sp. n.*
Ardisia sp. n.*
„ capitata.*
„ grandis.*
„ Storckii.*
„ vitiensis.*
,, sp. n. (ISO),
sp. n. (429).*
„ sp. n. (039).*
„ sp. n. (883).
_ „ ^ sp. n. (946).*
Aristilochia sp. n.*
Arthropanax fruticosum.
Artocarpus incisa.
Ascarina lanceolata.
Astelia sp. n. (1,028).*
„ montana.
Astronia fraterna.
„ Picked ngi.
„ „ vitiensis*
„ confertiflora,*
„ robusta.*
„ tomentosa.*
sp. h. (616).*
sp. n. (1,038).*
„ sp. n. (1,039).*
Astronidi urn parviflorum . *
„ Storckii.*
Baccaurea Wilkesiana.*
„ Seemannii.*
„ stylaris.*
sp. n. (447).*
sp. n. (515).*
sp. n. (981.)*
Badusa corymbifera.
Bakeria vitiensis.*
Balanophora fungosa.
Barringtonia speciosa.
„ edulis.*
258
Barringtonia racemosa.
s P . n. (619) *
(?) Batatas edulis.
„ paniculata.
BaoMnia tomentosa.
Begonia sp. n. (618).*
Bidens pilosa.
Bischoffia javanica.
i .') Bixa orellana.
Blumea Milnei.*
„ virens.
Bcehmeria platyplrilla.
(virgata).
sp. n. (57).
Harveyi.
Bcerhaavia diffusa.
Brackenridgea nitida.*
sp. n. (513).*
„ sp. n. (570).*
sp.n.(897).
Bi.-ussonetia papyrifera.
Brucea quercifolia.*
Bruffuiera Rlieedi.
Buchanania ilorida.
Bulbophyllum longiflorum.
sp. n. (730).*
-alpinia Bonducella.
„ Bonduc.
Calamus s.p.
Calanthe hololeuca.*
„ ventilabrum.
gp. n. (285).*
sp. n. (876).*
phyllum inophyllum.
„ Burmanni.
„ Bpectable.
sp. i.. (43).*
( lalonyction speciosum.
„ comosperma.
< alyaccion tinctonnu.
Calycosia Hunt' ri. N.S.'
., Milnei.
„ petiolal
„ publiflora.*
Calycosia sp. n. (40).*
„ sp. n. (279).*
„ sp. n. (501).*
„ sp. n. (534).*
sp. n. (593).*
„ sp. n. (644).*
„ sp. n. (705).*
sp. n. (775).*
„ sp. n. (789).*
.. sp. n. (644).*
Canavalia obtusifolia.
„ sericea.
„ turgida.
Canaga odorata.
Canarium sp. n.*
„ vitiense.*
sp. n. (686).*
Canthiopsis odorata.*
Cantliiura sessilifolium.*
„ barbaium.
„ flavidum.*
„ odoratum.*
Canna indica. B
Capparis Richii.*
(?) Capsicum frutescens.
Carapa moluccensis.
„ obovata.
Cardamine sarmentosa.
Cardiospermum halicacabum.
„ microcarpum.
Carruthersia scandens.*
sp. n. (967).*
„ _ sp. n. (460).*
Carumbium nutans.
Casearia accuminatissima.*
„ disticha.*
„ Ricliii.*
sp. n. (149).*
„ sp. n. (365).*
„ sp. n. (454).*
„ sp. li. (456).*
„ sp. n. (640).*
(?) Cassia laevigata,
ii-lauca.
259
(?) Cassia, occidentalis.
(?) „ obtusifolia,
„ sophora.
„ sp. n, (648).*
Cassytha filiform us.
Casuarina equisetifolia.
„ nodiflora.
Caturus pelagicus.*
Celastrus Richii.*
Celtis Harperi, N.S.*
Cenchrus anomoplexis.
Centotheca lappacea.
Ceratophyllum dem ersum.
Cerbera lactaria.
Chsetacanthus repandus.
Chailletia vitiensis.*
Chenopodium ambrosioides.
Chloris punctata.
Chrysoglossum vesicatum.*
Cinnamomum pedatinervium.*
„ sp. n. (85).*
sp. n. (99).*
sp. n. (832).*
sp. n. (862.)*
sp. n. (872).*
sp. n. (974).*
(?) Citrullus vulgaris.
(?) Citrus Limonum.
(?) „ Auraiitium.
(?) „ vulgaris.
(?) „ Decumana.
Claoxylon echinosperma.*
„ fallax.*
Cleidion Vieillardi.
„ vitiensis.
Clematis Pickeringi.
Clerodendron Arthurgordoni,
N.S.*
„ inerme.
Le HunteLN.S.*
„ _ sp. n *
Cocos mucifera.
Codiceum variegatum.
var. 313.
Codioeum variegatum var.(l)
» » » («)•
„ pictum.
„ moluccanum,
„ gcnuinum.
Coix Lachryma.
Colubrina asiatica.
Colocasia antiquorum.
„ esculenta.
Commelyna pacifica.
Commersonia platyphylla.
„ echinata.
Connarus Pickeringii.*
sp. n. (1 90).*
\, sp. n.*
Coprosma persicsefolia.*
sp. n. (129) *
sp. n.*
Cordia subcordata.
„ aspera.
Cordyline Jacquini.
„ sepiaria.
„ terminalia.
Coriaria ruscifolia.
Corymbis veratrifolia.
sp. n. (436).*
Couthovia corynocarpa.*
sp. n. (924).*
Crinum asiaticum.
Crossostylis Harvey i *
Crotalaria quinquifolia.
Croton metallicus.*
„ heterotrichus.*
„ Veneauxii.
„ „ Storckii.
„ leptopus.*
„ sp. n. (673)*
Cryptocarya sp. n. (128).*
sp. n. (170).*
sp. n. (171).*
sp. n. (434).*
„ sp. n. (650).*
sp. n. (1,068).*
R 2
260
Cryptocarya, sp. n. (1,117).*
( lucurbita Pepo.
icunris melo.
(?) „ sativus.
„ acidus.
Cupania rboifolia*
leptobotrys.*
Brackenridgei.*
sp. n. (982).*
sp. n. (1,000).*
( lurcuma longa.
Cuscuaria spuria.-"
( Yatbula prostrata.
„ debilis.
Cyeas circinalis.
Cynometra grandiflora.*
„ falcata.*
sp. n. (294).*
„ sp. n. (519 V*
sp. n.*
Cyperus pinnatus.
„ strigosus.
Cypholophus macrocephalus.
„ heterophyllus.
Cyrtandra Pritcbardii.*
., coloides.*
„ ciliata.*
„ Denbami.*
„ acutangla.*
„ vitiensis.*
„ antbropophago-
uni).*
fttilnel*
,, dolicbocarpa.*
„ involucrata.*
„ Harveyi.*
„ Spowarti, N.S.*
Butfci, N.S.*
„ Cbippendalei,N.S.
Dcs-Vujuxi, N.S.
„ ( rorriei, N.S.*
„ Langtoni, N.S.*
Tempesti, N.S.*
sp. n. (430).*
Cyrtandra, sp. n. (578).*
sp. n. (G98).*
sp. n. (1,134).*
Cyi'tosperma edulis.*
Dacrydium elatum.
Dalbergia monosperma.
sp. n. (509).*
Dammara vitiensis.*
Datura stramonium.
Dicbopsis Hornei, N.S.*
„ sp. n. (1,117) *
Dendrobium biflorum.
„ catillare.*
„ moblianum.
„ crispatum.
Gordoni, N.S.*
Hornei, N.S.*
Tokai.*
sp. n. (793).*
sp. n. (1,085).*
Desmodium umbellatum.
„ polycarpum.
„ scorpiurus.
Denis uliginosa.
„ sp. n. (1,145).*
Dianella ensi folia.
„ intermedia.
Dioclea violacea.
Dicbroccpbala latifolium.
Digitaria sano-uinalis.
Dioscorea alata.
,, aculeata.
„ bulbiflora.
„ nummularia.
„ pentaphylla.
„ sativa.
Diospyros, sp. n. (195).*
sp. n. (904).*
Disemma Barclayi.*
Storckii.*
„ vitiensis.*
Dodona?a viscosa.
Dolicliolobium Knollysi, N.S.*
latifolium.*
261
Dolicholobium, longissimum.*
„ McGregori,
N.S.*
„ oblongi folium.*
„ sp. n. (518).*
„ sp. n. (647).*
sp. n. (834).*
sp. n.*
Dracontomelon sylvestre.
„ pillosum.* .
Dry mispernum Burnettianum .
„ accuminatrmi.
„ lanceolatum.*
„ montarmm.*
„ pubifloruni.*
„ subcordatum.*
Dysoxylum alliaceum.
„ bijugum.
sp. n. (131).*
„ sp. n. (141).*
sp. n. (316).*
sp. n. (375).*
sp.n.(410).*
sp. n.*
Earina, sp. n. (892).*
Ebermaiera, sp. n. (1,067).*
Eclipta prostrata.
Elatostema nemorosum.*
„ macro phy Hum.
sp. n. (69).*
sp. n. (991).*
Eleocliaris articulata.
„ variegata.
Eleusine indica.
EUeocarpus cassinoides.*
„ Grseffei.*
„ laurifolius.*
„ pyriformis.*
Milnei.*
„ Storckii.*
Eudiandra, sp. n. (199).*
En tad a scandens.
Epiplianes micradenia.*
Eranthcmum laxifiorum.*
„ insularum.*
sp. n. (61).*
sp. n. (238).*
sp. n. (263).*
sp. d. (724).*
sp. n. (725).*
Eria stenostachya.*
„ sphserocarpa.*
„ seridostachya.
„ rostrifolia.*
„ sp. (116).
Erigeron albidum.
Erythnea australis.
Erythrina ovalifolia.
„ indica.
j) ,, aiDa.
Erythrospermum, sp. n. (79).*
sp.n.(loO).*
sp.n.(7l2).*
sp.n. (1,052).*
Eugenia amicorum.
Brackenridgei.*
confertiflora.*
corynocarpa.
gracilipes.*
Grayi.*
efFusa.*
neurocalyx.*
quadrangulata.*
rariflora.
rivularis.*
rubescens.
Bichii.
mallaccensis.
sp. n. (340).*
sp. n. (383).*
sp. n. (443).*
sp. n. (689).*
sp. n. (702).*
sp. n. (774).*
sp. n. (828).*
sp. n. (843).*
sp. n. (867).
262
nia, sp. n. (873).*
sp. n. (87 h."
B p. n. (914).*
sp. n. (920).*
sp. n. (959).*
sp. n. ( 1,010).*
sp. n. (1,031).*
sp. n. (1,056.)*
sp. n. (1,100.)*
sp. n. (1,106.)*
sp. n.*
,. sp. 11.
Eulalia japonica.
Euphorbia atota.
„ cliamissonis.
„ fidjiana.*
„ pilulifera.
„ tanensis.
Eurya angustiflora.
„ vitierisis.*
Euxolus caudatus.
Evodia drupacea.
„ liortensis.
„ Roxburghiana.
„ sp. n. (146).*
sp. ii. (075).*
Evolvulus alsinoides.
Excaecaria Agallocha.
Fagraea Berteriana.
„ gracilip&s.*
„ tnannii.
Faradaya ovalifolia.*
„ vitiensis.
Ficus ;i -]" ra.
„ Barclay!*
„ Bennett ii.
( Wei, N.S
„ bambuscefolia,
Han i -\ i
Masoni, N.S.*
., Pritchardii.*
„ scabra.
Ficus Smithi, N.S.*
„ Storckii.*
„ theophrastoides.*
„ tinctoria.
„ vitiensis.*
„ obliqua.
„ sp. n. (440).*
Fimbristylis communis.
„ arvensis.
„ dichotoma.
(?) Flacourtia Ramontchi.
Flagellaria elegans.
„ indica.
Fleuiya interrupta.
Freycinetia vitiensis*
,, Pritcliardii.*
„ Storckii.*
„ Milnei.*
„ sp. n. (529).*
sp. n. (592).*
sp. n. (844).*
sp. n. (903).*
Galmia aspera.
Garcinia sessilis.
„ pseudoguttifera.*
„ vitiensis.*
„ sp. n. (185).*
„ sp. n. (450).*
sp. a (630).*
sp. n. (734).*
„ taitensis.
„ pentagonioides.
„ Arthurgordoni,
N.S*
Gardeni Hilli, N.S.*
Gorriei, N.S.*
„ Greivei, N.S.*
„ s.p. n. (15).*
„ s.p. n. (403).*
Geissosis ternata.*
„ „ var; d.*
(580)*,
263
Geitonoplesium cymosum.
„ var. angustifo-
lium.
Geniostoma rupestre.
„ microphyllum.*
Geophila reniformes.
Gironnieria celtidifolia.
Glossogyne tenuifolia.
Glycine tabacina.
Gnetum Gneinon.
(?) Gossypium peruvianum.
(?) „ barbadense.
(?) „ arboreum.
(?) „ tomentosum.
Gouania Richii.*
„ denticulata.
Graeffea calyculata.*
Grewia mallococca.
„ persicasfolia.*
„ prunifolia.*
Guettarda speciosa.
„ incouspicua,
„ vitiensis.*
Gymnema stenophyllum.*
„ subnudum.*
Gymnosporia vitiensis.
Gyrocarpus Jacquini.
Habenaria tradescantifolia.*
„ superflua.*
„ supervacanea.*
Haplopetalum Richii.*
„ Seemannii.*
s.p. n. (968).*
Hardwickia, s.p. n. (483).*
s.p. ri. (1,121).*
Hedycarya dorstenioides.*
Hedyotis crata?ogonum.
Heliconia, s.p. n.*
Hernandia peltala.
s.p. n. (517).*
_ „; s.p. n. (738)*
Heriteria littoralis.
Hibbertia, s.p. n. (651).*
Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis.
„ Storckii.*
„ diversifollius.
„ esculentus.
„ Abelmoschus.
„ tricuspis.
„ tiliaceus.
„ s.p. n. (704).*
Hiptage myrtifolia.*
„ javanica.
Honialanthus populifolius.
Homalium vitiensis.
Hoya bicarinata.
„ diptera.*
„ Barracki, N.S.*
Hydnopliytum (Myrmecodia)
imberbe.*
„ longiflorum.*
„ Wilkinsoni,
N.S.*
Wilsoni, N.S.*
Hydrocotyle asiatica.
Hypolytrutn latifoliuni.
Ilex vitiensis.*
Imperata avundinacea.
Indigofera Anil.
Inocarpus edulis.
Ipoimea pes-caprse.
„ peltata.
„ Terpethum.
„ denticulatum.
Ixora vitiensis.*
pelagica.*
maxima.*
Storckii.*
Carewi, N.S.*
Joskei N.S*
Jasminum tetraquetrum.
„ australe
„ didymum.
„ simplicifblium
sp. n. (98).*
264
minum, s.p. n. (072).*
Jatropha curcas.
Kaiivia vitiensis.
KleiDhovia hospita.
Kentia exorrhiza.*
K \ 1 1 inga monocephala.
Lablab vulgaris.
(?) Lagenaria vulgaris.
nophora Pickeringi.*
Laportea Harveyi.*
Miln.i.
., vitiensis.*
nthera vitiensis.*
Lauraceoe, s.p. n. (777).*
Leea sambucina.
Lemna minor.
„ melanorrhiza,
Lepironia mucronata.
Lerchea calycina.*
Litsea (Tetranthera) palma-
fcinervia.*
., vitiense.*
„ Seemannii.*
., Pickeringii.'*
„ s.p. n. (544) *
s.p. n. (961)).
s.p. n. (733)*
Leucas decemdentata.
Leucoskye corymbulosa
Leucsena Fosteri.
„ glauca.
Leucopogon cymbula.*
Limnophila fragrans.*
Limnan themum Kleinianum.
Lindenia vitiensis.
Li par is Iongip
„ s.p. D.*
Loranthua insularum.
„ vitiensis.*
s.p. n *
LufiBa insularum.
Lumnitzera coccinea.
Lyonsia la -vis.*
Maba foliosa.*
„ elliptica.
„ buxifolia.
„ lateriflora, N.S.*
„ s.p. n. (201).*
„ s.p. n. (473).*
„ s.p. n. (823).*
„ s.p. n. (1,050).*
„ s.p. n*
Macaranga secunda.*
Harveyana.*
macroDhylla.*
Maudsleyi, N.S.*
m e m branacea.*
Seemannii.
s.p. n. (1,044).*
s.p. n.*
Mresa Pickeringii.
„ persic?efolia.
„ nemoralis.
„ vitiensis.*
„ corylifolia*
„ var. n. (822).*
s.p. n. (GG4) *
Malaxis glandulosa.
Mallotus tiliajfolius.
s.p. n. (597).*
(?) Mamordica Charantia.
(?) Manihot palmata.
(?) „ „ Aipi.
Maoutia australis.
Mariscus flavus.
„ phleoides.
„ umbellatus.
Marlea vitiensis.
var. n. (408).*
Medinilla heterophylla*
„ rhodochlasna.*
„ amoena.
„ Waterhousei.*
„ parvifolia.*
s.]i. n. (182).*
s.p. n. (944).*
Melastoma denticulata.
265
Melastoma Nova? Holland ise.
(?) Melia elegans.
Melochia odorata.
„ vitiensis.
Melodinus scandens.
Melodorum, s.p. n. (318).*
Memecylon vitiense.*
Metrosideros polymorph a.
„ „ var. fls.
yellow (764).
„ „ var. fls. white
(933).
Micromelum minutura.
Microstylis purpurea.
„ platychila.*
(?) Mimosa pudica.
Missiessya corymbulosa.
Mollugo stricta.
Monosis insularum.
Morinda citrifolia,
„ Fosteri.
„ myrtifolia.*
Grayi*
„ mollis.
„ bucida?folia*.
„ s.p. n. (347).*
„ s.p. n. (1,128).*
(?) Morus indica.
Mucuna platyphylla.
„ gigantea
„ sp. n. (721).*
Musa sapientum.
„ cavendishii.
„ paradisiaca.
„ uranocarpus.
Mussasnda frondosa.
Myriogyne minuta.
Myristica castansefolia.*
„ grandifolia.*
sp. n. (243).*
sp. n. (966).*
Myrsine crassifolia.
„ myricsefolia.
„ Brackenridgei.*
Myrsine, sp. n. (261).*
„ sp. n. (291).*
„ sp. n. (355).*
sp. n. (455).*
Myrtacea), sp. n.
(?) sp. n. (878).*
Nauclea Fosteri.
Nephelium (Pometia) pin-
natum.
Nesopanax vitiensis.*
Nelitris vitiensis.
,, fruticosa.
1 Nicotiana Tabacum.
Nothopanax fruticosum.
„ multijugum.*
Ochrosia parviflorum.
Ocymum gratissimum.
Oldenlandia tenuifolia.
„ paniculata.
„ Burmanniana.
„ sp. m*
Olea vitiensis.*
Olyra micrantha.
Oncocarpus vitiensis.*
sp. n. (629).*
Ophiorrhiza peploides.*
„ leptantha.*
, ; laxa.
„ var.? (213).*
Oplismenus Burmanni.
„ pupurascens.
„ albo-striatus.
„ compositus.
Orchidese sp. n. (115).*
Ormocarpum sennoides.
Orthoclada sp. n. (107).*
Oxalis corniculata,
Pachyrrhizus trilobus.
Pandanus caricosus.
„ virens.
„ odoratissimus.
Joskei, N.S.*
Panicum sanguinale.
„ trigonum.
266
[cum, ambiguum.
Papaya (Carica papaya) vul-
garis
Paphia vitiensis.*
Parinarium insularum.
„ laurinum.
Parkia Pari, N.S.*
1 'a -pa lum scrobiculaf urn.
Payena Hilli, N.S.*
Pelagoclendron vitiensis.*
Pel lion ia elatostemoides.
„ „ minor.
„ filicoides.*
„ australis*
„ vitiensis.
„ sp. n. (817)*
Peperomia pallida.
sp. n. (30).*
sp. n. (370).*
„ sp. n. (052).*
Peristylis sp. n. (448).*
Phajus Bluniei.
Pharbitis insularis.
Phaseolus truxillensis.
„ mnngo.
Pliyllanthus ramiflorus.
„ „ lanceolatus.
„ ,, var. n.
(1,000).*
„ cordatus.*
„ concolor.
„ „ ellipticus.
„ „ ohonatus.
„ pacificum.*
„ vitiensis.
„ Seemannianus.*
., venulosi
„ ("flatus.
„ manono.
„ pedocarpus.
„ amentufiger.*
„ heterodoxus.*
„ rim]
Wilkesianus.*
Phyllanthus, sp. n. (120a).*
sp. n. (364).*
sp. n. (676).*
sp. n. (767.)*
sp. n. (1,120).*
sp.n. (1,125).*
(?) Physalis peruviana.
„ angulata.
Pimia rliamnoides.*
Piper methysticum.
„ latifolium.
„ Macgillivrayi.
„ insectifugum.*
„ sp. n. (48).*
„ sp. n. (839).*
„ sp. n *
Pipturus velutinus.
„ propinqua.
„ argenteus.
„ platyphyllus.*
„ _ sp. n. (72).*
Pisonia inermis.
„ umbellifera
Pittosporum Brackenridgei.*
Pickcringii.*
„ rhytidocarpum.*
„ arborescens.
„ Pacini*
„ tobiroides.*
sp. n. (667).*
sp. n. (989).*
sp. n. (1,084) *
Plantago major.
Plectranthus Forsteri.
Plectronia McGregori, N.S.*
McConnelli, N.S.*
sp. n. (261).*
sp. n. (614).*
Plerandra Grayi.*
,, Pickcringii.
Plumbago zcylanica.
Podocarpus affinis.*
„ bractcata.
„ cuprcssina.
267
Podocarpus vitiensis.*
Pogonia sp. n.*
Polyalthia vitiensis.
Polyglonum glabrum.
Pongamia glabra.
Portulacca quadrifida.
„ oleracea.
Premna taitensis.
Pritchardi pacifica.
Procris cephaiida.
Psychotria Brackenridgei.*
„ Broweri.*
„ cordata.*
„ calycosa.*
„ bullata.*
„ Fosteriana*
„ filipes*
„ gracilis.*
„ hyporgyraea*
„ macrocalyx.
„ pelagica.*
„ Pritchardii.*
„ platycocca.*
„ serpens.
„ sulphurea.*
„ Storckii.*
„ tepbrosantha.*
„ tetragona.*
„ turbinata.*
„ Pickeringii.*
sp. n. (31).*
sp. n. (33.)*
sp. n. (71).*
sp. n. (78).*
sp. n. (83).*
sp. n. (173).*
sp. n. (292).*
„ sp. n. (587a).*
sp. n. (575).*
sp. n. (586)*
„ sp. n. (691 .*.
sp. n. (708).*
sp. n. (790).*
sp. n. (831).*
Psychotria, sp. n. (849).
„ sp. n. (994a).*
sp. n. (1,042).*
„ sp. n. (1,115a).*
? Pterocarpus indicus.
Pterospermum sp. n.*
Ptychosperma filiferum.*
„ pauciflorura*
„ perbreve.*
„ Pickeringii.*
„ Seemannii.*
,j vitiensis.*
Ratonia falcata.*
„ sapindus.
„ Storckii.*
Rhamnus vitiensis.
sp. n. (1,115),*
„ _ sp. n. (1,116).*
Rhamphidia rnbicunda.
Rliaphidophra vitiensis.*
„ Storckiana.*
Rhizophora mucronata.
Rhus simarubaBfolia*
„ taitensis.
Rhynchospora aurea.
Rhyticlandra vitiensis.
Richella monosperma.
(?) Ricinus communis.
Rourea heteropliylla.*
sp. n. (349).*
sp. n. (394).*
Rubiacese sp. n. (441).*
sp. n. (571).*
sp. n. (608).*
sp. n. (986).*
m sp. d. (1,182).*
Rubus panicullatus.
„ tiliaceus.
Saccharum officinarum.
sp. n. (203).*
Saccolabium Bertholdi.*
Sagus vitiensis.
Salacia sp. n. (791).*
sp. n. (1,127).*
268
Santalum (yasi) album.
Sapindus vitiensis.
Sapota pyrulifera.*
vitiensis.*
• S P' n *
;p sp. n. (95).
5 p. n. (187).*
sp. n. (477).*
sp. n. (827).*
sp. n. (829).*
Saracanthus sp. n. (886).*
„ nagarensis.*
Saurauja rubicunda.
grandifiora.
var. n. (907).*
var. n. (984).*
sp. n. (847).*
Scheffleria vitiense.*
Schmidelia glabra.
Schizostachyum glaucifolium.
Scleria margaritifera.
,, lethosperma.
Screvola floribunda.*
„ Koenigii.
„ scricea.
Serianthes myriaelenia.
n vitiensis.*
Sida linifolia.
„ microphylla.
„ rhombifolia.
Sideroxylon sp. n. (317).
„ ' sp. n. (317a).*
„ sp . . 1,140).
sp.n.
Siegesbeckia orientalis.
Smilax trifurcata.
., (Pleiosmilax) vitiensis.*
sp. n. (634
Symthea Pacifica.*
mini oleraceum.
,, anthropophaj orum.
., repandum.
„ tetandrum.
tuberosum.
Salanum vitiensis.
Seedi, N.S.*
., sp. n. (595).*
sp. n. (678).*
„ sp. n. (679).*
sp. n. (714).*
Sophora tomentosa.
Sonchus aspera.
Spathoglottis pacifica.
Spirsenthemum Graeffei.*
„ katakata.*
„ samoense.
„ vitiense.*
Spondias dulcis.
Sponia velutina.
„ Andersonii.
Stemonurus vitiensis.
Sterculia diversifolia.*
„ vitiensis.*
sp. n. (357).*
Stillingia pacifica.
Storckiella vitiensis.*
Strongylodon glaber.
„ lucidum.
Strychnos colubrina.
Stylocoryne cofFaaoides.
„ Harveyi.*
„ sambucina.
Symplocos spicata.
., sp. n. (54).*
sp. n. (175).*
Taberncemontana i >rientalis.
„ pacifica.*
,, Thurstoni, N.S.
„ sp. n. (58)*
., Sp. II. :
Tacca pinnatifida..
„ maculata.
„ sp. n. (598).
Taenoiphyllum Seemaunii.*
Taliiiuin patens.
Teucrum inflatum.
Tephrosia piscatoria
„ purpurea.
269
Terminalia catappa.
„ litoralis.
sp. n. (420).*
sp. n. (488).*
Tenastrsemia vitiensis.*
sp. n. (930).*
Tbacombauia vitiensis.*
Thespesia populnea.
Thouarea involuta.
Thrixpermum Godeffroy-
anum.*
Timonius affinis.*
„ sapotsefolius.*
Tournefortia argentea.
Trichospermum Richii *
Trimenia weimannifolia.*
Triumfetta procumbens.
Tropidia efFusa.*
Trophis antbropophagorum.*
Tylophora Brackenridgei.*
Typba angustifolia.
Unonasp. n. (287).*
Uvaria amygdalina.*
Uraria lagopoides.
Urena lobata.
„ morifolia.
Vandellia Crustacea.
Vavrea Harveyi.*
„ vitiensis.*
Veitchia Storckii.*
„ joannis.*
subglobosa.*
Ventilago vitiensis.*
Vignea lutea.
Viscum articulatum.
sp. n. (894).*
Vitex acuminata.
,, trifolia.
„ vitiensis.*
„ sp. n*
Vitis saponaria.
„ vitiensis.
„ acuminata.
Vrydagzynea purpurea.
Waltheria americana.
Weinmannia affinis*
„ Ricbii.*
„ spiraeoides.
„ vitiensis.*
sp. n. (632).*
Wickstrsemia foetida.
Wollastonia strigulosa.
Wormia biflora.*
„ membranifolia.*
Ximenia elliptica.
Xylosma orbiculata.
sp. n. (301).*
(?) Zea mays.
Zingiber Zerumbet.
Species indetermined (1,121).*
(118).*
(395).*
(600).*
No.Nr.*
270
Systematic List of Natural Orders and genera to which
the plants found in Fiji belong, as arranged in Seemann's
Flora Vitiensis. Endemic genera are marked by an
asterisk (*) before them ; the figures after them indicate
the number of species in each genus that have been dis-
covered in Fiji, by myself and previous travellers.
Order I.
Ranunculace:
( !L matis, 1.
II.
Dilleniaceae.
W'Mrmia. 2.
Hibbertia, 1.
III.
Anonacese.
Uvaria, 1.
Polyalthia, 1.
( lananga, 1.
*Richelia, 1.
[Jnonaj 1.
Melodorurn, 1.
IV.
Cruciferae.
Cardamine, 1.
V.
Oapparideae.
( lapparis, 1.
VI.
Violarce*.
Agation (Agatea), 2.
Alsodeia, 1.
VII.
I nese.
Xylosma, 2.
-:i, 1.
Flacourtia, 1.
Erythrospermum, 4.
VIII.
Pittossporea?.
Pittosporum, 9,
IX.
Portulacea?.
Portulaca, 2.
Tali u urn, 1.
X.
Elatinea?.
Elatine, 1.
XI
Gutifferae.
Garcinia, 7.
Calophylluin, 4.
Calysaccion, 1.
XII.
Ternstmemiacere.
Terustroemia, 2.
Eurya, 2.
Saurauja, 3.
*Trimenia, 1.
XIII.
Malvaceae.
Si-la, 3. ,
Urena, 2.
Hibiscus, 8.
Thespesia, 1.
271
Gossj r pium, 4.
Abutifon, 1.
XXI.
Bruseracese.
XIV.
Canarium 3.
Sterculiacea3.
Steroulia, 3.
Heritiera, 1.
Kleinhovia, 1.
Melocliia, 2.
Waltheria, 1.
XXII.
Meliacere.
Vavsc-a, 2.
Melia, 1.
Dysoxylum, 8.
Aglaia, 6.
Carapa, 2.
Commersonia, 2.
*Pimia, 1.
Pterospermum, 1.
XXIII.
XV.
Tiliacete.
Chailletiacese.
Chailletia, 1.
Grewia, 3.
Triumfetta, 1.
*Graeffea, 1.
Trichospermum, 1.
Elseocarpus, 6.
XXIV.
Olaciriese.
Ximenia, 1.
XXV.
XVI.
Icacinese.
Malpighiacese.
Stemonurus, ].
Hiptage, 2.
xxv«.
XVII.
Humiriacepe.
Geraniacese.
*Thacombauia, 1
Oxalis, 1.
XVIII.
Rutacese.
Evodia, 5.
XXVI.
Illicinete.
Ilex, 1.
Acronychia, 2.
Micromelum, 1.
Citrus, 4.
XXVII.
Celastrincse.
Celastrus, I.
XIX.
Simarubese.
Gymnosporia, 1.
Salacia, 2.
Brucea, 1.
*Amaroria, 1.
XXVIII.
Rhamnese.
XX.
Ventilago, 1.
Ochnacese.
Brackenridgea, 4.
*Smythea, 1.
Rhamnus, 3.
272
Colubriua, 1.
Mucuna, 3.
Alphitonia, 1.
Erythrina, 2.
Gouania, 2.
Strongylodon, 2.
Phaseolus, 2.
XXIX.
Vigna, 1.
Ampelideee.
Lablab, 1.
Vitis, 3.
Pachyrrhizus, 1.
Leea, 1.
Abrus, 1.
Pterocarpus, J.
XXX.
Dalbergia, 2.
Sapindacese.
Ponrjamia, 1.
Cardiospermum, 2.
Denis, 2.
Cupania, .5.
Sophora, 1.
Ratonia, 3.
Csesalpinia, 2.
Sapindus, 1.
Cassia, 6.
Pometia (Nephilium),
Storckiella, 1.
1.
Afzelia, 1.
Dodoniea, 1.
Bauhinia, 1.
Schmidelia, 1.
Inocarpus, 1.
XXXI.
Anacardiacea?.
Rhus, 2.
Buchanania, 1.
Cynometra, 5.
Entada, 1.
Mimosa, 1.
Leuca?na, 2.
Acacia, 2.
*Oncocarpus, 2.
Spondias, 2.
Dracontomelon, 2.
Anacardium, s.p. n., ].
Serianthes, 2.
Parkia, 1.
Haidwickia, 2.
XXXII.
XXXIV.
( !onnaracese.
Chrysobalanece.
Rourea, 3.
Parinarium, 2.
Cunnarus, 3.
XXXV.
XXXIII.
Rosacea?.
Leguminosa?..
Rubus, 1.
Crotalavia, 1.
Indigofera, 1.
XXXVI.
Tephrosia, 2.
Myrtaceie.
Ormocarpum, 1.
Eugenia ( Jambosa),3G
1 le&modium, 3.
Nelitris, 2.
Uraria, 1.
Calyptranthes (Aeica-
( rlycine, 1.
Lyptus), 4.
Dtoclea, 1.
Barringtonia, 4.
Cahavalia, 3.
Metrosideros, 1.
273
XXXVII.
XLV.
Melastomacese.
Taccacere.
Memecylon, 1.
Tacca, 3.
Astronia, 8.
Astronidinm, 2.
XLVI.
Amplectrum, 1.
Cucurbitaceai.
Meclinilla, 7.
Karvivia, 1.
Melastoma, 2.
Citrullus, 1.
Mamordica, 1.
XXXVIII.
Lufa, 1.
Rhizophoracese.
Lagenaria, 1,
*Haplopetalon, 3.
Cucumus, 3.
Rhizophora, 1.
Cucurbita, 1.
Bruguiera, 1.
Alsomitra, 1.
Crossostylis, 1.
XLVII.
XXXIX.
Saxifragaceae.
Combretaceee.
Geissois, 1.
Terminalia, 4.
Weinraannia, 5.
Lumnitzera, 1.
Spirseanthemum, 4
Gyrocarpus, 1.
XLVIII.
XL.
Hederacese.
Homalinese.
Marlea, 2.
Homalium, 1,
Hydrocotyle, 1.
Nothopanax, 2.
XLI.
Aglama, 1.
Passifloraeere.
Sckefflera, 1.
Disemma, 3.
*JSTesopanax, 1.
*Bakeria, 1.
XLIa.
Plerandra, 2.
Begoniacese.
Begonia, 1.
Arthropanax, 1.
XLIX.
XLIL
CoraceEc.
Papayacese.
Rhytidandra, 1.
Papaya (Carica), 1.
L.
Loranthacea?.
XLIII.
Samydese.
Viscum, 2.
Casearia, 8.
Loranthus, 3.
XLIV.
LI.
Balanophoreaa.
Rubiaceas.
Balanophora, I .
Doiicholobium, 9.
Q2019.
S
274
Gardenia, 9.
Mussasnda, 1.
Stylocoryne, 3.
*Pelagodendron, 1.
Hedyotis, 1.
Oldenlaudia, 4.
Ophiorrhiza, 3.
Lerchea, 1.
Lindenia, 1.
Morinda, 8.
Timonius, 2.
Guettarda, 3.
Calycosia, 14-.
Ixora, 6.
Psychotria, 38.
Hydiiophytum (Myr-
mecodia), 4.
Geophila, 1.
Coprosraa, 3.
< 'anthium, 4.
Nauclea, 1.
Badusa, 1.
Plectronia, 4.
LII.
Composite.
Monosis, 1.
Ageiatum, 1.
Adenostemma, J.
Erigeron, 1.
Blumea, 2.
Ei lipta, 1.
Siegesbeckia, 1.
Wollastonia, 1.
Bideus, 1.
Lagenophora, 1.
Dichrocephala, 1.
Glossogyne, 1.
Myriogyne, 1.
Sonchus, 1.
LII.
Qoodeniacese.
Scwvola, 3.
LIV.
Ericacea?.
*Paphia, 1.
Leucopogon, 1.
LV.
Myrsinese.
Meesa, 7.
Myrsine, 7.
Ardisia, 10.
LVI.
Sapotacese.
Sapota, 3.
Sideroxylon, 4.
Payena, 1.
Dichopsis, 2.
LYII.
Ebenacea?.
Maba. 9.
Diospyros, 2.
LVIII.
Styracese.
Symplocos, 3.
LIX.
Jasmin eas.
Jasminium, 6.
Olea, 1.
LX.
Apocynese.
Melodinus, 1.
*Carruthersia, 3.
Alyxia, 4.
Cerbera, 1.
Ochrosia, 1.
Tabernaemontana, 5.
Lyonsia, 1.
Alstonia, G.
275
LXI.
Asclepiadese.
Tylophora, 1.
Gymnema, 2.
Hoya, 3.
LXII.
Loganiacea?.
Geniostonia, 2.
Fagra?a, 3.
*Couthovia, 2.
Strychnos, 1.
*Canthiopsis, 1.
LXIII.
Gentianeie.
Erythrjea, 1.
Limnanthemum, 1.
*LXIV.
Boraginese.
Cordia, 2.
Tournefortia, 1.
LXV.
Convolvulacese.
Batatas, 2.
Pharbitis, 1.
Calonyction, 2.
Ipomrea, 4.
Aniseia, 2.
Evol vulus, 1.
LXVI.
Solanacese.
Solanum, 11.
Capsicum, 1.
Physalis, 2.
Datura, 1.
Nicotiana, 1.
LXVII.
Scrophulai inese.
Limnophila, 1.
Vandellia, 1.
LXVIII.
Cyrtandrese.
Cyrtandra, 22.
LXIX.
Acanthacese.
Adenosma, 1.
Chsectacanthus, 1.
Eranthemum, 7.
Ebermaiera, 1.
LXX.
Verbenacese.
Premna, 1.
Clerodendron, 4.
Faradaya, 3.
Vitex, 4.
LXXI.
Labiatse.
Ocymum, ]„
Pleetranthus, 1.
Leucas, 1.
Teurcrium, 1.
LXXII.
Plantaginea?.
Plantago, 1.
LXXIII.
Plumbagineae.
Plumbago, 1.
LXXIV.
Nyctaginepe.
Pisonia, 2.
Boerhaavia, 2.
LXXV.
Amaiantacea?.
Amaranthus, 4.
Euxolus, 1.
Achryanthes, 1.
Cyathula, 2.
S 8
276
LXXY1.
Huginacese.
Mollugo, 1.
LXXVII.
cere.
Polygonum, 1.
LXXVIII.
Lauracese.
i Jinnamomum, 7.
Litsea (Tetranthera),
7.
iyth&j 1.
( 'ryptocaiya, 5.
Endiandra, 1.
LXXIX.
Bernandiacea&.
Hernandia, 3.
LXXX.
Myristicaceze.
Myristicaj 4.
LXXXI.
Monimiacese.
Hedycarya, 1.
LXXXIL
Thyme! ;
Wickstraemia, 1.
Diymispermum, I i .
LXXXII«.
fcolochiaceaa
Aristolochia sps. n. 1.
LXXXIII.
alacese.
Satanlum, 1.
LXXX IV.
Euphorbia
Euphorbia, ■">.
Antidesma, 3.
Phyllanthus, 21.
Baccaurea, 6.
Bischoffia, 1.
Croton, 5.
Aleurites, 1.
Claoxylon, 2.
Acalypha, 12.
Mallotus, 2.
Cle^dion, 2.
Macaranga, 8.
Ricinus, 1.
Mani hot, 1.
Jatropha, 1.
Codiasum, 4.
Carumbium, 1.
Stillingia, 1.
Excaecaria, 1.
Homalanthus, 1.
LXXXV.
Urticacese.
Sponia, 2.
Grionnieria, 1.
Fleurya, 1.
Laportea, 3.
Pellionia, 4.
Elatostemma, 4.
Proceris, 1.
Boehnieria, 3.
Cypholophus, 2.
Pipturus, 5.
Missiessya, 1.
Maoutia, ].
Morus, 1.
Broussonetia, 1.
Ficus, 1G.
Antiaris, 1.
Caturusj 1.
Artocarpus, 1.
Tropins, 1.
Leucoskyc, 1.
277
LXXXVa.
Pandanus, 4.
Celtidese.
Freycinetia, 8.
Celtis, 1.
XCIV.
LXXXVI.
Aroidese.
Ceratophyllese.
Amorphophallus, 1.
Ceratophyllum, 1.
Colocasia, 2.
Alocasia, 1.
LXXXVII.
Rhaphidophora, 2.
Chloranthacese.
Cuscuaria, 1.
Ascarina, 1.
Cyrtosperma, 1.
LXXXVIII.
xcv.
Piperaceas.
Lemnacese.
Peperomia, 4.
Lemna, 2.
Piper, 7.
XCVI.
LXXXIX.
Scitaminese.
Casuarinese.
Heliconia, 1.
Casuarina, 2.
Musa, 4.
Alpinia, 6.
XC.
Amomum, 2.
Coniferae.
Curcuma, 1.
Dammara, 1.
Zingiber, 1.
Podocarpus, 4.
Canna, 1.
Dacrydium, 1.
Gnetuni, 1.
XCVII.
Orchidea3.
XCI.
Habenaria, 3.
Cycadese.
Yrydagzynea, 1.
Cycas, 1.
Ansectochilus CAneco
chilus), 1.
XCII.
Rhamphidia, 1.
PalmacesB
Tropidia, 1.
Kentia, 1.
Corymbis, 2.
Veitchia, 3.
Epiphanes, 1.
Ptychospermum, 6.
Pogonia, 1.
Pritchardia, 1.
Tsenophyllum, 1.
Calamus, 1.
Thrixspermum, 1.
Cocos, 1.
Saccolabium, 2.
Sagus, 1.
Sarcanthus, 2.
Calanthe, 4.
XCIII.
Appendiculata, 2.
Pandanacese.
Phajus, 1,
Typha, 1.
Spathaglottis, 1.
278
Eria, 5.
Liparis, 2.
Malaxis, 1
Microstylis, 2.
Bulbophyllum, 2.
Dendrobium, 9.
Chiysoglossuni, 1.
Earina, 1.
Peristylis, 1.
XCVII.
Amaryllidese.
Crinum, I.
XCIX.
Dioscoreae.
Dioscorea, 6.
C.
Smilacese.
Sinilax, 3.
CI.
Liliaceae.
Cordyline, 3.
Geitonoplesium, 2.
Dianella, 2.
Astelia, 2.
CII.
Commelynacese.
Coramelyna, 1.
Aueilema, 1.
cm
Juncacese.
Flagellaria, 2.
CIV.
Cyperacere.
Lepironia, 1.
Scleria, 2.
Gahnia, 1.
Rhynchospora, 1.
Hypolytrum, 1.
Fimbristylis, 3.
Eleocharis, 2.
Kyllingia, 1.
Mariscus, 3.
CyperiiS; 2.
cv.
Gramineas.
Andropogon, 2.
Eulalia, 1.
Saccharum, 2.
Imperata, 1.
Eleusine, 1.
Centotheca, 1.
Schizostachyum, 1.
Thouarea, 1.
Cenchrus, 1.
Oplismenus, 4.
Panicum, 3.
Paspalum, 1.
Olyra, 1.
Coix, 1.
Zea, 1.
Chloris, 1.
Orthoclada, 1.
279
CVI.
Filices and Allied Orders.
Note. — Species marked with an asterisk (*) indicate that they
are new and endemic. Species marked (p) indicates that
they are new to Polynesia.
Gleichenia oceanica, Kuhn.
„ dichotoma, Hook.
„ flagellaris, Spreng.
Cyathea propinqua, Mett.
Alsophila lunulata, R. Br.
* „ Hornei, Baker.
„ truncata, Brack.
o Hymenophylluir javanicum, Spreng.
dilatum, Sw.
tunbridgense, Sw.
multifidum, Sw.
flabellatum, Labell.
Neesi, Hook.
* Trichomanes cultratum, Baker.
„ muscoides, Sw.
., proliferum, Blume.
„ javanicum, Blume.
„ pyxidiferum, L.
„ caudatum, Brack.
„ maximum, Blume.
„ rigidum, Sw.
„ humile, Forst.
„ saxifragoides, Presl.
„ altera an s, Carr.
„ vitiense, Baker.
„ fceniculatum, Boiy.
„ apiifolium, Presl.
Dicksonia Brackenridgei, Mett.
„ straminea, Labell.
* „ moluccana, var. inermis, Baker.
* „ incurvata, Baker.
Davallia contigua, Sw.
„ heterophylla, Sw.
„ polypodioides, Brack.
„ botrychioides, Brack.
„ pentaphylla, Blume.
2S0
Davallia fijiensis, Hook, (Endemic).
„ pinnata, Carr.
; , rhomboidea, Wall.
„ strigosa, S\v.
„ Denhamii, Hook, (Endemic).
„ solida, Sw.
„ epiphylla, Sw.
„ tenuifolia, Sw.
,, Laperousii, Hook.
„ moluccana, Blume.
,, gibberosa, Sw.
„ fa?niculacea, Hook.
„ ferulacea, Moore, (Endemic).
o „ lvymenophylloides, Baker.
„ Blumeana, Hook.
„ pulchella, Hook.
„ stolonifera, Baker.
„ „ var. acutifolia.
„ repens, Deso.
„ lobata, Poir.
,, „ „ var. Harvey i, Carr.
„ ,, „ var. Seemannii, Carr,
,, ensifola, Sw.
„ parallea, Wall.
„ alpina, Blume.
„ spelunca?, Baker.
,, tenuis, Brack, (Endemic).
Hypolepis tenuifolia, Bernh.
* Adiantum Hornei, Baker.
., lunulatum, Burm.
„ diaphanum, Blume.
„ hispid ulum, Sw.
„ fnlvum, Raoul.
o Cheilanthes farinosa, Kaulf.
„ tenuifolia, Sw.
Notholsena hirsuta, Desv.
Doodia media, R. Br.
Pillaia geraniseiblia.
Pteris quadriaurita, Retz.
„ aquilina var. esculenta, Forst.
„ patens, Hook.
„ ensiformis, Burin.
* „ vitien.sis, Baker.
„ longifolia, L.
„ incisa, Thunb.
281
Pteris comans, Forst.
„ Milnei, Baker.
„ tripartita.
Blechnum orientale, L.
Lomaria Patterson i, Spreng.
„ elongata, Blume.
„ attenuata, Wild.
„ lanceolata, Spreng.
„ procera, Spreng.
„ adnata, Blume.
,, volcanica, Blume.
„ filiform is, Cunn.
Asplenium nidus, L.
„ amboinense, Willd.
* „ „ var. Hilli.
„ multilineatum, Hook.
„ vittceforme, Carr.
„ fijiense, Brack.
„ Carrutliersii, Baker.
„ tenerum, Forst.
,, resectum, Sm.
„ falcatum, Lam.
„ caudatum, Forst.
„ cuneatum, Lam.
„ laserpitiifolium, Lam.
„ affine Sw.
. „ bipinnatum, Brack.
„ obtusifolium, Hook.
„ sylvaticum, Presl.
„ japonicum, Thunb.
„ Brackenridgei. Baker.
„ maximum, Don.
„ melanocaulon, Baker.
„ decussatum, Sw.
„ esculentum, Presl.
„ arborescens, Mett.
„ rhizophyllum, Kunze.
„ multifidum, Brack.
„ polypodioides, Blume.
„ induratum, Hook.
Allantoida Brunoniana, Wall.
Didymochloena lunulata, Desv.
Aspidium aristatum, Sw r .
o „ aculeatum, Sw.
282
Aspidium semicordatum, S\v.
Nephrodium Prenticii, Baker.
„ albopunctatum, Desv
., Brackenridgii, Baker.
., dissectum, Desv.
„ Milnei, Hook.
„ velutinum, Hook.
,, Harveyi, Presl.
„ Luzeanum, Hook.
„ decurrens, Baker.
„ pacliyphyllum, Baker.
., latifolium, Baker.
„ tripartitum, Baker.
» juglandifolium, Baker.
„ squamigera, Hook.
„ tenuifolia, Hook.
„ fijiense, Hook.
,, davallioides, Baker.
„ Preslei, Baker.
„ truncatum, Presl.
„ molle, Desv.
Nephrolepis acuta, Presl.
„ ramosa, Moore.
„ cordifolia, Presl.
„ exaltata, S\v.
Oleander mollis, Presl.
* Polypodium deparioides, Baker.
„ Gordoni, Baker.
„ punctatum, Thunb.
„ alsopliiloides, Baker.
o „ ornatum, Wall.
„ difforme, Blume.
„ rubrinervas, Baker.
o „ cucullatum, Nees.
„ blechnoides, Hook.
„ Hornei, Baker.
„ subauriculatum, Blume.
„ adnescens, S\v.
,, LrioideSj Lam.
„ triquetrum, Blume.
„ linguaeforme, Mett.
., accedens, Blume.
„ ligulatum, Baker.
„ Brownii, Wickst.
283
Polypodium alatum, Hook.
„ nigrescens, Hook.
„ Phymatodes, L.
* „ vitiense, Baker.
„ rigidulum, Sw.
„ dipteris, Blume.
„ siinplicifolmm, Hook.
„ LinnfBi, Boiy.
„ Hookeri, Brack.
„ costatum, Hook.
o Meniscium Beccarianum, Cesati.
Monogramme Juughuhunii, Hook.
Vittaria elongata, Sw.
o „ scolopendrina, Thwaites.
Antrophyum subfalcatum, Brack.
o „ reticulatum, Kaulf.
„ plantagineum, Kaulf.
„ seraicostatura, Blume.
Gymnogramme lanceolata, Hook.
„ javanica, Blume.
„ pinnata, Hook.
o „ „ var. brachysora, Baker.
o „ „ var. polypodioides, Baker,
o „ Wallichi, Hook.
* „ scolopendrioides, Baker.
o „ borneeusis, var. major.
„ decipens, Mett.
„ caudiformis, Hook.
Hemionitis lanceolata, Hook.
Acrostichum obtusifolium, Drack.
o „ conforme, Sw.
„ scandens, J. Sm.
o „ gorgoneum, Kaulf.
„ sorbifolium. L. var. subtrifoliatum, H.K.
„ „ var Seemannii, Carr.
„ fijiense, Hook.
„ spicatum, Hook.
» polyphyllum, Hook.
o „ Blumeanum, Hook.
M „ bipinnatum.
„ cultratum, Baker.
„ repandum, Blume.
„ „ var. Quoyanum, Gand.
„ rivulare, Baker.
284
Acrostichum aureurn, L.
Schizrea dichotonia, Sw.
„ digitata, Sw.
Marattia Fraxinea, S\v.
„ Douglasii ?
Lygodium reticulatum, Schk.
Ophiglossuni pendulum, L.
„ nudicaule, L.
Todea Wilkesiana, Brack.
Lycopodium cernuum, L.
„ serratum, Thunb.
„ squarrosum, Forst.
„ nummularifolium, Blume.
„ Phlegmaria, L.
„ laxum, Presl.
„ carinatum, Desv.
„ volubile, Forst.
o Selanginella latifolia, Spreng.
„ caudata, Spreng.
„ viridangula, Spreng.
„ ciliaris, Brack.
„ nabellata, Spreng.
„ „ firma.
„ Wallichii, Spreng.
,, Menziesii, Spreng.
„ atrovi rides, Spreng.
Psilotum triquetrum, S\v.
,, complanatum, Sw.
„ flaccidum, Wall.
Angiopteris evicta, Hoffm.
Equisetum debile, Roxb.
Marsilea, sps.
LIST OF PLANTS found in L T polu, while on a short visit to
the Samoan, or Navigator Islands.
Ferns.
Acrostichum h'jiense, Hook.
„ repandum, Blume.
Adiiintum lunu latum, Burm.
Afiplenium borridum, Raulf.
Antrophyum Grcvillei, Ball'.
285
Davallia, Emersoni, H.A.G.
„ heterophylla, Sw.
„ vestita, Blume.
Hymenophyllum dilatura, Sw.
Lomaria volcanica, Blume.
Nephrodium Haenkianum, Presl.
„ heptaphyllum, Baker
Nephrolepis blechnoides, J. Sm.
Polypodium cucullatum r Nees.
Pteris quadriaurita, Retz.
„ patens, Hook.
Ophiglossum reticulatum, L.
TrichomaneSj apiifolium, Presl.
Powellii.
Flowering Plants.
Alstonia, sp. n.
Barringtonia, sp. n. (314).
Calanthe, sp. n. (24).
Canarium, sp. n. (5).
Clerodendron amicorum.
Crossostylis, sp. n.
Cypholophus, sp. n. (35).
Dendrobium Gordoni, N. S.
Diospyros Samoense.
Dysoxylum sp. n., 7.
„ sp. n. 28.
Eleeocarpus Grseffi.
Leucosmia, sp. n. (33 and 49).
Lignotidre, sp. n.
Micromelum minutum.
Morinda, sp. n. (55).
Myristica hypargyrea.
„ N.S. near „ (10).
Orchid, sp. (24), indetermined.
„ sp. (24).
„ sp. (44).
Peperomia, sp. n. (25).
Premna taitense.
Psychotria insularum.
sp. n. (43).
Bhamnus, sp. n. (31).
286
Rubiacea), sp. n. (4).
Santalum, sp. n. (13).
Sideroxylon, sp. n. (2).
„ sp. n.
Solarium vitiensis.
Slylocoryne sambucina.
Vrydagzynea.
287
INDEX.
A.
Acacia richii, 208.
Acclimatisation, of animals, 140.
Agglomerate, rock, 164 ; 167.
description of, 166.
Agricultural Association of Fiji, 174.
native, 74 ; 78 ; 80.
of Government and settlers,
defective, 139.
products, 171.
Alligator pear, Avocada, fruit, 99.
Allspice, 106 ; 127.
Alstonia, the Fijian caoutchouc, 195 ;
258.
Alyxia, climber, 196.
Angona, native beverage, 107.
Angora goats, herds, 49 ; 50; 191.
Anointing, by natives, 103.
Ants, black, 67,
Apocynaceae, a natural order of plants,
195.
Apple, Malay, 96.
Aqueducts, native, 76.
Arrowroot plantations, 6 ; 104.
■ its manufacture by steam,
105.
value of its exports, 106.
Association, Fiji Agricultural, 174.
Asthma, causes of, 143.
Athletic games, 55.
Auckland, New Zealand, vessels from,
57.
distance from Fiji by steam,
186.
B.
Ba, river, 44 ; 49; 155.
Babuca, village, 45 ; 183.
Baggage, for travelling, 4 ; 193.
Baker, Mr., 59.
Bakoi, fruit, 97.
Balawa, Pandamus or screw pine, 22 ;
23; 49; 50; 97; 110.
Bamboos, 69 ; 125.
Bananas, 37; 45; 81 ; 93.
Barges, 156.
Bark-cloth-tree, Mast, 13.
Barometer, readings of, 250.
Barrier reefs, 149 ; 154.
Basalt, rock, 164; 168; 179.
columnar, 165.
Basketwork, 111.
Baths, hot, used as curatives, 164.
Bats, 192.
Bays, rivers fall into, Savu-savu, Na-
tawa, and Sandalwood, 151.
Beche de mer, 21 ; 193.
Beetles, 193
Benga, 157.
Biba, village, 34.
Bilo, village, 43.
Blacklead, 169.
Boats, native, 55 ; 114.
Boiling springs, 17 ; 163.
Bones of victims, 42.
Bose vaha Yasana, tribal council, 1 1 ;
190.
Botanic garden, visit to a, 27.
gardens, 138.
— =- situation and area requisite
for, 140.
Bottle-gourd, 97.
Breadfruit, 10 ; 17 ; 25 ; 28 ; 82.
Bread, making of native, 86.
materials made of, 88.
Breccia, rock, 164 ; 179.
description of, 166.
Bridges, native, 25.
" British subject," Kai Biretania, 35.
Bua. province, 50; 203.
— mountains, 18 ; 151.
28S
Buli, district chief, W; 11.
;. district :md village, 4 ; 162.
Burying grounds, native, 52 ; 102,
B ttterflies, 193.
c.
a, chocolate. 8; 48 ; 52; 139,
140; 182.
area suitable for growth of,
177.
Cakaudrove, province, 10; 55.
Koko of, 10 ; 54 ; 55.
Calcareous rocks, 164.
-trata decomposed, 170.
soil, 179.
Calms, 144.
Camphor, 127.
Canals, native irrigation, 15 ; 45 ; 76.
Candle nut, Laud, 63 ; 127 ; 187 ;
export, value of, 1875, 187-
5, 35 ; 4-J.
Canoe, native, 13; 25 ; 52 ; 55 ; 83
L02; 114; 118 ; 154 ; 156.
Caoutchouc (see App. I.), 139 ; 195-
202.
Capitalists, 175 ; 177.
Capital of Fiji, 17.
site of future, 29.
Capital, want of, 187.
. <i papaya, fruit, 97.
Carriers, 3; 4; 9-12; 17 ; 19.
' ava, plant, 105.
Caterpillar, destructive, 30 ; 174.
Cattle, herds, 17; 30: 45; 50 ; 51 ;
53.
ova abundant, 191.
Caverns, 160.
. 42 ; L66.
tree, Toon, 27 ; 135.
\B, 74 ; 80.
■ Is, '1' ep water, 14'.'.
plain, 41.
Chestnut, Polynesian, Ivi, 71; ~7
amen, Si.
Churches, construction of, 122.
in every village, l.
• ibi, timber tree, 64 ; 120 ; 139.
Cinchona, 46; 139; 183.
Cinchona, area suitable for growth of,
177.
Cinnamon, 60 ; 106.
Circular letter from Governor to native
chiefs, 3.
Clearing for planting sandalwood, 205.
■ for planting of cocoa-nuts,
173.
yams, 75.
Dalo, 76 ; 77.
Cliffs of limestone and of sandstone
166; 167.
Climate of Fiji, 142.
depressing in summer, 144.
healthiness of, 143 ; 186.
Climbers, 110; 195 ; 196.
Cloth, native, 109.
Clothing, of natives, 109 ; 110.
of Europeans, 144.
Clove, 106; 12 7.
Cocoa-nut plantations, 8 ; 13 ; 14 ;
15; 17; 18 ; 21 ; 22 ; 23 ; 25-28 ;
50-54; 56 ; 60; 81 ; 173.
value of exports from 1876-
1878; 171.
■ oil, value of exports, 171.
Coffee, plantations, 6 ; 9 ; 13 ; 25 ;
28 ; 30 ; 3 1 ; 34 ; 35 ; 37 ; 39 ; 45-
48 ; 50-54 ; 139 ; 140 ; 186.
area suitable for growth of,
177.
Coir fibre, 8; 172.
value of exports from 1876-
1878, 171.
Coko, ulcerous disease, 143.
Colo vi Suva, village, 31.
Colo, mountain districts, 81.
Commissioner of Lands, 52.
of the Governor, 41.
Conservancy of forests, 127; 131
189.
Constabulary, 1 1 .
Coolies, Indian, period and terms of
engagement, 185.
Copper, 169.
Copra, 8 ; 28 ; 56; 171.
value of exports from 1876
1878, 171.
Coral limestone, 167 ; 168.
reefs, 149.
289
Cotton, plantations, C; 7; 13; 28;
32; 49; 54; 170; 171 ; 181.
— — — export value from 1875—
1877; 180.
seeds, export value of, 180.
Council of tribe, Bosh vaka Yasana,
190.
Crab, land, 193.
Creepers, G2 ; 195 ; 196.
Croton-codceium shrub, 27; 102.
Crown grants, 52 ; 187.
Cultivation, native, 74-92.
, migratory, 02.
Curiosities, 142.
Curtains, native, 109.
Custard apple, fruit, 99.
Cutter, 53.
D.
Dakua, timber tree, 10 ; 20 ; 32 ; 70 ;
116; 131 ; 208.
Dakua salu salu, timber tree, 20 ; 32 ;
114; 116; 131 ; 208.
Dulo, 37 ; 40; 45; 75; 76; 141 ;
183.
Damanu, timber tree, 20 ; 32 ; 37 ;
48; 71 ; 114; 115 ; 208.
Dand's Peak (Korobato), 151.
Dawa, kind of litcbi, 95.
Deciduous trees, 64 ; 96 ; 113.
Deep water, 150.
Deforestation, causes of, 80.
effects of, 132.
Density of juice of sugar cane, 175;
176.
Devil's Dure, 55 ; 165.
Diarrhoea, causes of, 143.
Dilo, timber tree, 17-, 70; 114; 115.
oil, 114.
Disintegrated volcanic rocks, 169.
District council, functions of, 11.
Dogs, 192.
Draught oxen, 1 91.
Drauka, plant, 91.
Drayton's Peak, 151.
Drcga guruguru, caoutchouc tree, 195 ;
198.
Drekiti, river, 20; 151.
Dress, native, 109 ; 110.
Q2019.
Dress, European, 144.
Dribi, 167.
Drink, of natives, 74 ; 107.
Drought, cause of, 80; 128; 152;
159.
Drua-drua, island, 22; 152.
Drums, native, 112 ; 113.
Dry localities, 145.
dock, 17.
Ducks, 192.
Dyes, 116 ; 190.
Dysentery, cure for, 99 ; 1-13.
E.
Education, of the natives, 3.
industrial, for the natives,
141.
Elephantiasis, 143.
Engagement, of labourers, 184.
Epidemic, of measles, 31.
Estuaries, 52.
tidal, 60.
Exotic trees, 49 ; 135.
fruits, 97-101.
Exports, 171.
P.
Falls, 175.
Fans, native, 110.
Fawn harbour, 52.
Fecula, 104 ; 105.
Females, native, hospitality of, 15.
Fences, 98 ; 126.
Ferns, 9 ; 20 ; 45 ; 46 ; 48 ; 51 ; 58 ;
59; 64; 65; 119.
number of, 58.
tree, 65.
Fertility of soil, 29; 45 ; 48; 51-53 .
93; 186.
Fibres, of banana, 82.
of cocoa-nut, 172.
Fig tree, 72 ; 100.
Fighting fence, 94.
Fiji grass, 102.
Fireflies, 193.
Fires, periodical, 7 ; 16 ; 20 ; 30 ; 40 ;
42; 46; 49; 51; 132.
precautions suggested, 133.
T
290
Firewood, 121 ; 131.
Fish, 192.
Flics, 193.
Flint, 169.
Floating island, 24.
Floods, -17; 128.
Flora, 58-73.
. — of Polynesia, 58.
Flowering plants, 9 ; 20 ; 48 ; 51 ; 59 ;
102.
number of, 58.
Flying fox, 192.
Fogs, 44; 128.
Food, of natives, 74 ; 77 ; 81 ; 8G ; 87 ;
90-92; 97; 176.
preservation of, 88.
Foreign vessels, port for, 27.
Forests, 30 ; 32 ; 37 ; 40 ; 42 ; 44-48 ;
50; 51 ; 54; 62; 13.
conservancy of, 127; 131;
189.
destruction of, 38 ; 160.
ordinance, suggestions for,
&0. (Appendix III.), 213-237.
restoration of, 127.
rules suggested for regulating
falling of timber in, 238-246.
virgin, 61.
Forest creek, 54.
staff, 137.
Fori Carnarvon, 41.
Fortifications, native, 36; 98.
Fowls, domestic, 191,
Fringing reefs, 149 ; L54.
Frogs, 193.
Fruit, 93 ; 139.
exotic, 97.
favourable climate for, 99 ;
100.
Fungus, 109 ; 180.
on the skin of oatives, 3S.
Furniture, articles of, 126.
timber for, 120.
G.
Gale, 53; 145.
Gali, 54.
< rardenia, 46 ; 53.
Gardens, 89 ; 90; 104.
Botanic, 27 ; 138 ; 140.
Gasau, grass, 126.
Geese, 192.
Ginger, 107.
Gorge, 159.
Government House, 126.
Offices, 126.
Governor's residence, 140.
Gram, 140.
Grauadilla, fruit. 99.
Graphite, 169.
Grasses, 68, 102.
nourishing quality of, 191.
scarcity of, 69.
Great council, annual, 12.
Guavas, fruit, 97.
Guides, 3 ; 4.
Gum resin, Makadre, 116.
Gumu, acacia richii, 208.
H.
Hale's Peak, 151.
Halting places, of natives, 20.
Harbours, 29 ; 49.
natural, 17; 149; 161.
Harvey, Dr., 58.
Horses, rearing, 45; 50.
Hospitality of natives, 163.
of settlers, 51.
Hot baths, 164.
Hot springs, 163.'
used by natives for cooking
L64.
Houses, native, 28 ; 40; 52; 119.
construction of, 122 ; 125.
of the poor, 124..
Hurricanes, rarity of, 145.
I.
Implements of agriculture, native, 80.
[ndia-rubber, caoutchouc, 195-202.
as prepared by natives, 199.
its market value, 200 ; 202.
[nsect, destructive to cocoa-nut tree,
30; 174.
stick and leaf, 193.
Institute, Mechanics, at Levuka, 141.
291
Interpreter, 4 ; 22 ; 39 ; 208.
Iron, 169.
Islands, number of in the Fiji group.
149.
elevation of, 150.
estimated area of, 149.
situation of, 149.
physical character of, 150.
Ivi, tree, 17.
interesting, 7l.
nuts, 87 ; 88.
J.
Jack, fruit tree, 183 ; 100.
Juice of sugar cane, density of, 175,
176.
Justice, administration of, by magis-
trates, 21.
K.
plant,
Kalakakaisau, fibre-yielding
111.
Kali Kosa, village, 24.
Kaluba, village and river, 30 ; 94
166.
Kami Rusai, village, 47.
Kanacea, island, 26.
Kadavu, island, 35.
Kau Karo, cure for ringworm, 38.
Kau Kuru, timber tree, 63 ; 118.
Kawrie pine, Dahua, timber tree, 116-
Kausia, tree, 20 ; 117.
Kauta, sedge, 1 1 0.
Kau-tabua, tree, 20; 32; 117.
Kara, native beverage, 107^^
Kuvika, Malay apple, 96.
Kioa, island, 167.
Kobalau point, 53.
Koka, timber tree, 119.
Koro, island, 26 ; 105 ; 161 ; 169.
, native village or town, 11 ;
37 ; 50 ; 206.
— tidily kept, 21.
Koroba, mountain, 158 ; 208.
Pickering's Peak, 42.
Koro-i-vono, town, 9.
Koro Levu, village, 52.
Koro Loa, mountain, 32.
Koro ni Saca, town, 12.
Q 2019.
Koro Suli, village, 46 ; 156.
Koro Wai-wai, 33.
Kulava, timber tree, 121.
Kuru Kuru, river, 23.
L.
Labasine, village, 22.
Labour, distribution of, 79.
imported, 184.
native, 185.
supply of, 139.
Labourers, agricultural, their char-
acter ; habits ; terms of engage-
ment ; wages; passage; food, &c\,
184.
Lakes, not numerous, 154.
salt, 153.
Laucala, island, 26.
Land crabs, 193.
Landslips, 40 ; 128 ; 208.
Langton, Mr., 31 ; 208.
Language, diversities of, 39.
Lasalasi, village, 34.
Latitude, 247.
Lavoni valley, 4 ; 162; 169
Leaf insects, 193.
Lemon grass, 69.
— — trees, 42.
fruit, 93 ; 95.
Levelling, by natives, 77.
Levuka, present Capital of Fiji, 26 ;
143; 167.
objectionable situation of,
162.
Lewininini, timber tree, 20; 117;
208.
Liberian coffee, 8 ; 9 ; 48 ; 51-53.
Library at Levuka, 141.
Liku, native dress, 109.
Limes, 93.
Limejuice, 95.
Limestone rock, 164; 165; 177.
cliffs, 166.
disentegrating, 208.
Litchi, longan, fruit trees, 100.
Loam, 15.
Lobsters, 193.
Localities, dry and wet, 145.
Loma loma, village, 19; 27 ; 161 ; 167.
U
292
foma, island, or Vanua Balavu,
iploring islands,' 26.
\ ity of natives, 143.
Longitude, -47.
ttssier, 98.
/ , lost . fruit, 9".
i. climber, 196.
M.
106.
la, province, 19 ; 203.
Magistrates administering justice, 21.
native, 1 1 .
Mahogany tree, 27 ; 136.
Mail (steam) service, 26 ; 49 ; 57.
Maize, 49 ; 50; 54; 170; 207; 188.
Makadre, gum resin, 116.
Malachite, 169.
Mala/ni, or Malata, village, 24.
Malarial fever unknown. 142.
i/ i < , nutmeg, 106.
Mali, Maud, 22 ; 151.
Mango, fruit, 99.
island, 20 ; 28; 169.
Mnugosteen, fruit tree, 100.
Mangrove, '"■■'. tree, 7 : 17; 22; 23;
50.
Mantis, 193.
Market- for produce, 184 ; 186.
Marl, rock, 164.
Man,, 182.
Marshes, 45.
salt water. 60.
Bark-cloth tree, 13.
as used by natives, lu8.
Mataiavai, plant, 111.
Matawala, village, 43.
Matting, 110; 172 ; 193.
Mauritius lever, 33.
Measle8, epidemic of, 31.
Mechanics 1 Institute at Levuka, 141.
Mi h , native dance or play, :,:,.
Melbourne, ^t< amer from. 57.
distance from Fiji by steam.
186.
Met© 1 App. V.) 147: 247 ;
255.
• orologica] observations, (see App.
V.) 247 253
Milne, 58.
Model farm, 140.
Mokogui, island, 56.
Molasses, 174.
Midi Kami, ehaddock, 93.
Mali Kuril Kuru, lemon, 93 ; 94.
Moli iii Tahiti, orange, 94.
Monsoon, 145.
Mosquitoes, 24.
native curtains for, 109 ; 193.
Mo.->es, 61.
Moth, destructive, 3U ; 174.
Moluriki, island, 5.
Mountains, 18 ; 32 ; 35 ; 46-48 ; 50 ;
60.
their elevation, 150; 152;
153; 160; 161.
Mud flats, 50; 51.
Mulberry, fruit, 98.
MvJo-Mido, timber tree, 118.
Museum, utility of, 142.
Mystical rites, 165.
Mythological stories, of natives, 24.
N.
Na Babuca, 45, 83.
Na Behk Luke, 47 ; 156.
Na-Colo-Suva, town. •"> 1 ; 140.
Nodi, 49 ; 50; 158.
yadotja, 24 ; 193.
Nadrau, village, 43 ; 183.
Nadroga, harbour, 49.
Xaduri, village, 19.
Na Koro Vatu, village. 5 ; 6 ; 46.
Naloa, island, 151.
\amata falls, 157.
Namena, 158.
Na Moali, village, 39.
Na Moali, 183.
Na Moali, 40.
Namosi, village. 32: 94: 135; 159;
169.
Nananu, island, 49 ; 50; 158.
Na Quara-wai, 156; 157; 169.
Na Quave, village, 31.
.Xu Sali Lccu, 54.
Na ^aiicoha, 90; 208.
Nasova, Government House at, &c, 126.
Nataimba, island, 27.
2U3
Natawa bay ,10 ; 13; 55; 163.
Natives, instincts of, 74.
ingenuity of, 77; 78
80;
109.
143.
— their taste for flowers, 102.
— healthiness and longevity of,
habits of, 144; 190.
hospitality of, 1G3.
Native dance, meke, 55.
Native preachers, 4 ; 41.
Na Tuattiacoko, Fort Carnarvon, 40 ;
158 ; 208.
Na Saucvko, village, 42 ; 208.
Navaloa, 140; 6.
Navatu island, 193.
Navigable streams, 23 ; 51 ; 152.
Navigation, facilities and difficulties of,
149; 161.
Navosa, province, 40; 134; 203;
205 ; 189.
quantity of sandalwood
growing in, 211.
Navua, river, 29 ; 49; 157.
Nawanawa, fruit, 97.
Naivasakubu, town, 208.
Needle Peak, 151.
Nets for fishing, 111.
Noko noho, casuariua, timber tree, 23 ;
120.
Nukusari, village, 32.
Nursery, botanic, 139.
Nutmeg, Male, 106 ; 127.
Nuvera island, 151.
0.
Occupation of natives, 111.
Ofil, cocoa-nut, value of, 171.
Oncocarpus, tree, 38.
Ophthalmia, of natives and settlers>
143.
Orange, 93 ; 94.
Orange cowry, 193.
Orchids, 66 ; 119.
Ornamental plants, 102.
Ornaments of natives, 103.
Ovalau, island, 31.
Oualau, its central position, 161.
its scenery, 162.
Oxen, draught, 191
Oysters, 193.
P.
Palms, 61 ; 62 ; 68.
Papal ayai, foreigner, 24 ; 185.
Parrots, 64; 192.
Pasture, 45 ; 50.
destruction of, 59.
Patent, 190.
Paving stones used by natives, 166.
Peach, fruit, 1 00.
Peaks, 151.
Pearl shell, 193.
export of, 193.
Pepper, plant, 107 ; 108.
Perfumes, native, 103.
Pests, 59; 180.
Pickering's Peak, Koroba, 42 ; 158 ;
169.
Pigs, 15 ; 126.
whence imported, 191.
Pine apple, Balawa id papalagi,
foreign Pandanus, 93.
Pitcher, bamboo, 125.
Plantations, see sngar cane, &c, 171 —
183.
Planting of yams, 75.
of Dalo, 76.
according to Fijian mythol-
ogy, 97.
for climate purposes, 207.
Plants, ornamental, 1 02.
distribution of to inhabitants,
139.
Pleasure ground, L40.
Ploughing, 175.
Polity, tribal, past and present, 11.
Pomegranate, fruit, 99.
Population, diminution of, 31.
Porphyry, rock, 164.
Porpoises, 192.
Port for foreign vessels, 27.
Potatoes, 88.
Pounac, food for cattle, 172
Prawns, 193.
294
i |- an, 89.
markets, 186.
Products, agricultural, 171.
by the natives, 187.
Psidium cattleyanum, 97.
chinensis, 97.
pomiferum, ;<7.
Pulping of coffee, 177.
Q.
QeleLevu, island, 193.
Quame, island, 26.
R.
Rabi, (Bambi), island, 8 ; 26; 161;
163; 167; 169.
Rafts of bamboos, 34 ; 1 .">7.
Rainfall (sec App. V.) 44; 46 ; 51 ;
61 ; 128; 14.') ; 159 ; 1 60 ; 247-255.
A'./// Raki, 155, 157.
Rapids, 157.
Rura, or Square, village, 56.
Raspberry, fruit, 100.
Ratan, 111.
Ratoons of sugar cane, 175 ; 176.
Rats, 193.
Raurau, bay, 158.
Ravines. 44; 51 ; 63; 159 ; 208.
Rebellion, 41.
coral, 149.
Ri foresting, L27 ; 128 ; 134; 204.
tlations (suggested) for planting,
&c, of sandalwood, 209.
for felling timber in Govern-
ment foreBts, 238 : 24.',.
rious observances, 3.
/.'. >• ga, tuj in. i Lc, 105.
I.'. Berves, forests, 21 :> ;223 ; 2l'7 .
Rewa, river, 5 ; 29 ; 31 : 94 .
Re-wooding, 127; 128 ; 134: Jul.
Rhi omatism, native cure for, 1 14.
causes of, 143.
Rice, 140; 183; 186.
Ringworm, 38.
B L50.
navigable, 152
• their size and beauty, II ;
155.
Road making, native, 23.
Roadsteads, 149; 160.
Hocks, 164.
influenced by volcanic heat,
165.
Roko Titi, supreme chief of a province.
10.
Hope, 111 ; 172.
Route through Fiji, 3.
Rukuruku village, 46.
Rum, 174.
S.
Sagali, timber tree, 118.
Sago palms, 63 ; 68.
Sailors, native, 55.
Salt lake, 153 ; 169.
Sandalwood, 22 ; 42 ; 50; 63 ; 203.
season for planting, 205.
its market value, 204.
transplanting of, 209.
tabu, 209.
Sandstone, 164.
cliffs, 167.
San Francisco, mail via, 57.
Sausau, passage, 152.
Savages, imported, 184.
Sarin,, timber tree, 121.
Savu-savUfhay, 10 ; 16; 52 ; 163 ; 169.
Saw mills, 30.
Scenery, beauties of, &c., 29 ; 31 ; 34 ;
35 ; 40 ; 46; 47 ; 52; 153 ; 160;
162.
construction of, 122 ; 141.
industrial, 140.
training, at Navaloa, 140.
Scoria, 168; 169 ; 179.
Scott and Harvey's settlement, 157.
Screens, native, 109.
Sea, fruit, 97.
Sea Island cotton, 181.
Sea-shore plants, 59.
Seasons, drj and wet, hot and cool, 144.
Sedge, 69.
Seeds, i uppbj of, 139.
distributed by government,
179.
danger attending importation
of, 180.
295
Seeds, export of (cotton) 180.
Seeniann, Dr., 58.
Serua, 49; 157.
Settlers, 18; 22; 27-31 ; 49-51; 93;
97 ; 138; 143; 187.
Shaddock, tree, fruit, 35 ; 93 ; 95.
Shale, 104.
Shallow water, 1 50.
Sharks, 23 ; 47 ; 192.
Sheep, 45; 50; 56; 191.
Shells fish, 193.
Shell, 193.
Siga Toka, river, 40 ; 42.
peculiarities of its course,
158; 163.
Silk, 99.
Silkworms, 50; 98.
Sinnet, coir, 111.
'native industry for ornaments,
124; 126 ; 172.
Site of future capital of Fiji, 29.
Sites of native houses, 124.
Smith and Aitchinson's, 54.
Snakes, 192.
Soapstone, 166.
Soil, fertility of 29 ; 45 ; 48 ; 51-53 ;
93.
scantiness of, 60.
composition of, 69 ; 170 ; 179.
Soldiers, native, 41.
Somosomo, Taviuni, village, 54.
Sores, causes of, 143.
Sources of streams, 150.
Specimens of plants, 18 ; 23 ; 32 ; 36 ;
37; 45; 46; 48; 51 ; 58; 59.
difficulty of preserving, 19.
total number collected, 19.
Spice trees, 107 ; 139.
Squalls, 145.
Steamer (mail) 26 ; 49 ; 93.
Steam Navigation Co., Australasian, 57.
Peninsular and Oriental, 57.
Stick insects, 193.
Stock-raising, 31 ; 45 ; 49 ; 50 ; 54 ;
191.
Strangers' house, Bure ni sa, 12.
Strawberry, fruit, 100.
Strata, 44 ; 46 ; 170.
results of doubling up of, 1 65.
Streams, 150.
navigable, 150.
complicated sources of, 150.
-abundance of, 177.
Sugar, 186.
cane, varieties of, 174.
its adaptation to the soil, 5-9 ;
12-15 ; 20-25 ; 30-31 ; 35 ; 43 ; 47
-53 ; 54 ; 69 ; 139 ; 140 ; 170 ; 175.
disease, dangers of, 129.
' manufacture of, as used by
the natives, 174.
export value, 1876-1878;
174.
area of land suitable for
growth of, 175.
Sugar Loaf, mountain, 151.
Sugar mills, want of, &c, 5 ; 6; 18 ;
23; 31; 49; 54 ; 174; 175 ; 186.
Suggested regulations for planting san-
dalwood, 209 ;
Sulu, native cloth, 109.
Suva, chosen site of capital of Fiji, 17 ;
29; 140.
Swampdalo, 183.
Sweet potatoes, Kumarci, 84.
price of, 84.
Sydney, mail from, 57.
distance from Fiji by steam,
186.
T.
Tabernajmontana Pacifica, tree, 195.
Tabu, forbidden,' 81.
native observance of, 1 10.
Tagaloa, district, 10.
Tar Lent, district, 6.
Takia, dug out canoe, 22, 118.
Tamarind, fruit, 100.
Tamavua, river and village, 30; 31 ;
166.
Tapioca plantations, 6 ; 87.
Tarawau, fruit tree, 96
Taro, 15; 183.
Tauhuku ni vuaka, weed, 91.
Taviuni, island, 10; 26; 160.
of purely volcanic origin, 168.
Tavola, timber tree, 113.
296
. river, 4'.'.
Peak,
fax, Inspector of , native, 203; 239;
242 ; 24.". : 244 : 245.
oi natives, 182.
of natives, in kind, 187.
Tea, 16 ; 139 ; 140; 182.
area suitable for growth of,
177 : 18G.
Temperature (se< App. V .) 147:
247-255.
Temple, heathen, 15.
Terraces, native, 77.
123 : 120.
Tin rmometer, readings of, 247-2.3.5.
Thunderstorms, 22 ; 43; 144.
Timber industry, 30; 38; 42; 112;
139.
importance of growing it, 131.
kinds recommended, 135.
trees, 112-126.
Tinika, reed, 55.
throwing the, 50.
Title deeds (land), 52; 187.
Tobacco plantations, 49 ; 17<t; IS 1 ;
187 ; 188.
Tokalu, Solomon Island ringworm, 38-
Tonga, island, king of, men of, 27.
. ],ig S from, 191.
Tools, 141.
Toon, cedar tree, 27 ; 135.
Torches, travelling with, 24.
Trachyte, rock, 1G4.
Trade winds, 144.
Transplanting of sandalwood, 209.
of coffee, 179.
Travellers, advice to, 193.
Travelling difficulties of, 20, 23-25;
32 ; 33 ; 39 ; 40; 43; 46; 48 ; 51 ;
53.
I
. native, 42.
Tufa, 168 i 169 ; 17'.).
Turaga m Kin-, village chief, ll ;
12 ; 22.
Turaga u> I'm-,,, native magistrate, 11.
Turban, native, 109.
Turkeys, L92.
Turmeric, plant, 63 ; 105
Turtle, 193.
Tutu, 22 ; 152.
u.
Utlu point, 203.
Ugavule, land crab, 193.
Ulcerous disease, coho, 143.
Upheaval of coast, 154.
results of, 165.
Vagadaca, 167.
Vai vai, timber tree, 118.
Vanilla, 182.
Vanua Levu, island, 9 ; 14 ; 19 ; 55 ;
163 ; 164.
Vatu Kali, 53.
Vatu Kura, 25.
Vau, plant, 110.
Vegetable debris, 169.
Vegetables, European, 89.
Fijian, 90 ; 91.
Vegetation, 61.
I V.m ri, village and river, 48.
Vesi, timber tree, 17 ; 112.
Viene, village, 13.
I 'it nuvga, 45.
Vienunga, village, 35 ; 37.
Village, Koro, 11.
Vine, 100.
Vili Levi', inland, 5; 29; 164; 179;
189.
Voivoi, plant, 110.
Volcanic heat, its influence on rocks>
165.
Volcanoes, extinct, 154 ; 160 ; 168.
Voma, lofty mountain, 159 ; 164.
Vosi Dam, village, 40.
Vuga, timber tree, 42 ; 119; 208.
Vuga vuga, timber tree, 119.
1 'mm point, village, 26.
Vuni SWam, village, 13.
Vuni mil a, village, 22; 152.
Vutukana, fruit, 97.
Vutn, tree, 70.
297
W.
Wayodra-yodra, wild bramble, 97.
Wai Bas-aya, village, 40 ; 163.
Wai Delict, river, 7 ; 155.
Wai Diui, river, 34 ; 156 ; 179.
Wai Dradra, village, 45.
Wai Lecu, district, 151.
Wai Leva, river, 18.
Wai Manu, district, 29.
river, 48 ; 156.
Wai-ni Awa, river and village, 36.
Wai ?>i Btika, river, 47 ; 155.
Wai ni Buli, Tasman's straits, 26.
Wai ni Koro, stream, 24.
Wai ni Loa, river, 45 ; 46 ; 56 ; 165.
Wai ni Mala, river, 45 ; 156 ; 179.
Wainunu, district, 51.
Waiuai, 18.
Wa Loa, fungus, 109.
War, between natives, 42.
effects of, 83.
clubs, native, 121.
Warei, village, 51.
Wasa Kttba, village, 169.
Water melon, 97.
Watersheds, 150; 151 ; 158.
peculiarities of. 150; 151 ;
J 58.
Weeding, 187.
Weeds, 59 ; 76 ; 91.
Wesleyan Missions, 3.
training school, 6.
Wet localities, 145.
Whales, 192.
Wi, fruit tree, 96.
Wild ducks, fowl, pigs, 192.
Wild sugar-cane, 69.
Wind, direction and force of, 247-255.
Winds trade, variable, &c, 144 ; 159.
Women, native, 79.
Woods and F< rests Committee, 136.
Wreaths, native. 103.
Y.
Ya, sedge, 110.
Yabia, plant, 104.
Yaha, plant, 111.
Yams, 13 ; 34 ; 37 ; 45 ; 74 ; 75 ; 86 ;
141.
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Printers to the Queen's most Excellent Majesty.
For Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
[P 456.— 750.— 5/81.]
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