334 CLIMATE. [1840. 



pumice stone, and sandstone, are found throughout the 

 group. 



There can be no richer soil than that afforded by the de- 

 composition of these formations, especially when mingled with 

 the vegetable mould constantly accumulating in such vast 

 quantities. This is shown in the rapid and thrifty growth of 

 everything adapted to the climate. The dark green man- 

 groves that cover the marshy and alluvial flats along the 

 coasts, and at the mouths of the rivers ; the graceful palms 

 that adorn the acclivities of the hills, and the slopes and val- 

 leys ; and the tall and gloomy pines that cast their deep 

 shadows along the mountain sides — all denote the capacity 

 of the islands for the production, with ordinary culture, of an 

 almost exhaustless supply of tropical fruits and vegetables. 

 The proportion of the unproductive land to that suited for 

 tillage is very small. The general character of the soil is a 

 brownish yellow, or red loam ; in some few places a kind of 

 indurated blue clay, containing nodules of grit, is found ; and, 

 only here and there, are occasional barren patches of gravel. 



In respect to climate, too, these islands are highly favored. 

 Of warmth and moisture there is no deficiency, except that 

 on the leeward side of the islands, as is always the case in the 

 larger and mountainous groups of Polynesia, showers are 

 much less frequent, and sometimes long continued droughts 

 occur, during which the vegetation often assumes a burnt 

 appearance. Still, there is a great quantity of rain falls. 

 There is a good deal of t.mnder and lightning ; severe gales 

 and hurricanes are frequently experienced ; and earthquakes 

 are not uncommon, though the shocks are usually quite 

 slight. 



Over the verdant hills and lovely valleys of the Feejee 

 Group, there generally rests a soft am! pure atmosphere, and 

 even in the winter months, wh.-n it is the most rainy, the 

 weather is remarkably fine. A cloudless sky is soon dark- 

 ened, it is true, but when the sun shines forth again, and 

 nature glistens through her tears, everything seems brighter 

 and fairer than it is wont to do, and the laughing hours glide 



