1897-98-] Corals and Coral-Islauds. 325 



climate, as far south as Auckland, is humid, modified by the 

 sea-breezes. In both cases numerous streams descend from 

 the mountain-sides, producing a profusion of undergrowth 

 only seen in moist regions. New Zealand is noted for its 

 ferns, and so is Aneityum, the magnificence and variety of 

 these being marvellous. A professional botanist who explored 

 the south end of the New Hebrides stated that he found 120 

 different kinds of ferns on Aneityum, in addition to crotons, 

 dracamas, hibiscus, and other decorative plants. A variety of 

 the far-famed Kauri pine of New Zealand grows in abundance 

 on the hillsides of Aneityum. Of quadrupeds, the only in- 

 digenous animal found in New Zealand was a small dun- 

 coloured rat: this also was the case in the New Hebrides. 

 Pigs were found on some of the islands by the early navi- 

 gators, but these are supposed to have been imported. Horses 

 and sheep have been tried, but the humid atmosphere does 

 not seem to suit these animals, for they do not thrive. Pigs, 

 goats, and cows appear to do well. The pig is held in great 

 estimation by the native population. It is used on the 

 heathen islands for the purpose of appeasing the gods and 

 the rain-makers. At all public ceremonies numbers of pigs, 

 young and old, are always in evidence. A man rises in the 

 scale of chieftainship on Malekula in proportion to the 

 number of full-sized pigs he presents at the public feasts. 

 Wives are also purchased with this animal, ten tusked pigs 

 being the price of a princess. 



The problem as to the early occupation of these islands still 

 remains unsolved. The many languages spoken by the natives 

 on the several islands, the various styles of dress, the diverse 

 shapes of weapons, and the different heathen customs, all lead 

 one to suppose that they did not all come from a common 

 centre at the same time, although it is admitted that the 

 native inhabitants are of the Negrillo type, the majority 

 having the Papuan cast of countenance. On some islands, 

 such as Futuna and Fila, there is an admixture of Malayan 

 blood from Eastern Polynesia. This can be accounted for by 

 fishing or trading parties being blown out to sea, and then 

 driven before the south-east trade-winds until they reached 

 one or other of the New Hebrides Islands. If the islands 

 have always remained as they are, then the progenitors of the 



