HocKEN. — The Fiji Fire Ceremony. 671 



leaviug the oven at the point of entrance. The leader, who 

 was longest in the oven, was a second or two under half a 

 minute therein. x\lmost immediately heaps of the soft and 

 succulent leaves of the hibiscus, which had been gathered 

 for the purpose, were thrown into the oven, which was thus 

 immediately filled with clouds of hissing steam. Upon the 

 leaves and within the steam the natives, who had returned, 

 sat or stood pressing them down in preparation for cooking 

 the various viands which were to afford them a sumptuous 

 feast that evening or on the morrow. 



But for us the most interesting part of the drama was 

 over, and it only remained to review observations and draw 

 conclusions. Just before the great event of the day I gained 

 permission to examine one or two of the fire-walkers prior to 

 their descent into the oven. This was granted without the 

 least hesitation by the principal native Magistrate of the Eewa 

 district, N'Dabea by name, but generally known as Jonathan. 

 This native is of great intelligence and influence, is a member 

 of the Na Galita Clan, and has himself at various times walked 

 tiirough the fire. On this occasion he took no other part in 

 the ceremony than that of watching or superintending it. 

 The two men thus sent forward for examination disclosed no 

 peculiar feature whatever. As to dress, they were slightly 

 garlanded round the neck and the waist ; the pulse was un- 

 affected, and the skin, legs, and feet were free from any ap- 

 parent application. I assured myself of this by touch, smell, 

 and taste, not hesitating to apply my tongue as a corrobora- 

 tive. The foot-soles were /comparatively soft and flexible — by 

 no means leathery and insensible. Thus the two Suvan 

 theories were disposed of. This careful examination was 

 repeated immediately after egress from the oven, and with 

 the same result. To use the language of Scripture, "No 

 smell of fire had passed upon them." No incantations or 

 other religious ceremonial were observed. Though these 

 were formerly practised, they have gradually fallen into dis- 

 use since the introduction of Christianity. I did not succeed 

 in procuring the old incantation formula ; doubtless it was 

 similar to that of the old Eaiatean ceremony, which is given in 

 the second volume of the Polynesian Society's Journal, p. 106. 



Whilst walking through the fire Dr. Colquhoun thought 

 the countenances of the fire-walkers betrayed some anxiety. 

 I saw none of this ; nor was it apparent to me at either ex- 

 amination. The stones, which were basaltic, must have 

 been white-hot, but due to the brilliance of the day this was 

 not visible. 



Various natives, being interrogated for an explanation, re- 

 plied, with a shrug, "They can do this wonderful thing; we 

 cannot. You have seen it ; we have seen it." Whilst thus 



