MATUKU ISLAND. 295 



are numerous instead of scanty, and amongst them a beautiful 

 climbing species (Lygodium reticidatum) is abundant. I saw 

 but few Casuarinas. In the woods the trees are almost hidden 

 by a network of convolvulus. 



The most conspicuous trees, except the Screw-pines and 

 Cocoa-nut palms, at the time of our visit were those of a species 

 of Erythrina* which was in full scarlet blossom. On the 

 honey of the flowers of this tree a most beautiful Lory (Domicella 

 solitaria) was feeding, and with it some little Honey-birds 

 (My zonula jugularis). The Lory is one of the most beautiful 

 little parrots existing, showing a splendid contrast of the richest 

 colours, jet black, red, and green. It is peculiar to the Fiji 

 Islands. It flies in flocks, and hence the term " solitaria s" 

 might lead to an erroneous impression. 



A swallow (Hirundo tahitica) was flying about in considerable 

 numbers, at the summit of the peak. 



Hopping about on the mud, beneath the mangroves on the 

 shore, was the extraordinary fish, Periophthalmus, at which I 

 had often been astonished in Ceylon. This little fish skips 

 along on the surface of the water, by a series of jumps, of the 

 distance of as much as a foot, with great rapidity, and prefers 

 escaping in this way to swimming beneath the surface. I have 

 chased one in Trincomali Harbour, which skipped thus before me 

 until it reached a rock, where it sat on a ledge out of the water 

 in the sun, and waited till I came up, when it skipped along to 

 another rock. 



The fish are very nimble on land, and difficult to catch. They 

 use their very muscular pectoral fins to spring with, and when 

 resting on shore the fore part of their body is raised and sup- 

 ported on these. There seems to be no figure of this very 

 remarkable fish which shows it at all in the attitude which it 

 assumes when alive. The accompanying woodcut has been 

 drawn from a specimen kindly lent to me by Dr. Giinther, and 

 I have put the fish as nearly in the natural position which it 

 assumes when on land, as I can from memory. 



* Erythrina Indica. The " Araba " flowers in August, the time to plant 

 yams ; hence the flowering of this tree is the basis of the Fijian Calendar. 

 Seemann, " Flora Yitiensis.' ; 



