FIJI-NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION 93 
‘‘matha’’ (it is empty) in a low voice. The cup then went the 
round of the visitors and finally to the native men; but I under- 
stand that it is tabu to the Fijian women. This kava drinking is 
said to last practically all night sometimes, and the greatest deco- 
rum prevails. It is regarded as bad form to change the position 
of one’s feet, and as all are seated cross-legged on the ground, the 
position is no less than torture to an ordinary white man; even 
the natives, I was told, find it a severe test of endurance. For- 
tunately, the rules were relaxed in our ease and the visitors had 
chairs. 
I noticed no effect to indicate that kava is intoxicating, but was 
told that confirmed drinkers after a long bout have their legs 
affected. The taste was not particularly pleasant to the novice, 
but the effect was distinctly refreshing. Major W. A. Chapple 
says,’ ‘‘It (kava) has absolutely no effect on the brain or senses. 
In great excess it is said to weaken the legs, though it does not 
affect the mind or consciousness. The drink is not pleasant but 
it has a slightly styptie effect on the mucous membrane of the 
mouth and leaves a rather cleansing taste which all observers com- 
ment upon. Whites drink it freely without apparent effect.’’ 
Later in the evening the men sang for us, still seated eross- 
legged back of the kava bowl; they sang well, in excellent time 
and melody, the bass voices booming out with fine effect and the 
tenor being rendered in a falsetto voice. Most of the songs were 
in Fijian, but some were renditions of English songs; among the 
latter was ‘‘Tipperary’’ and others brought back from the great 
war. Like almost all native peoples the Fijians enjoy singing, but 
on this occasion there was no musical instrument. It seemed to 
me that the men showed considerable training as the parts were 
very well carried. 
After an hour or so of this, the other guests left; Mr. Welch 
and I remained, and, by request, spent some time in telling the 
men about Iowa and the wonders of the United States in general, 
such as the size of the country, its railroads, skyscrapers, the 
University, ete. The men listened in silence, most of them with 
heads bowed, very intent on hearing and understanding everything 
that was said, as Ratu Popé patiently translated our remarks. He 
was the only one at Bau, so far as we discovered, who understood 
English. The only sound from the men was a peculiar sucking 
1 Fiji, its Problems and Resources, p. 99. 
