FIJI-NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION 127 
and over which were placed eight native mats. A canopy of tapa 
cloth and a mosquito net completed the hangings. 
Since it was late and we were all tired we tried not to think too 
much of the scorpions, centipedes and fleas that might be lurking 
between the mats and so the four of us, without removing our 
clothing, lay down on this huge bed where we passed a night of 
fitful slumber. The lali was being beaten to call together the 
villagers for divine service and at eight-thirty parson Mecuisela 
departed to conduct it. A little later the notes of one of our 
familiar hymns drifted in to us from the meeting-house. The 
next morning Mr. and Mrs. Welch went on up the river while 
Mrs. Stoner and I remained behind for a day of collecting. 
The village of Viria, which is typical of many another native 
village in Fiji, comprises about sixty people who live in a mis- 
cellaneous assortment of houses and hovels arranged in the form 
of a hollow square. The greensward in the square is kept short 
by the pigs, goats, chickens and the tramping of many bare feet. 
A general store, managed by a European, supplies most of the 
simple needs of the villagers. 
Unfortunately for me, a drizzling rain had set in and it con- 
tinued with slight intermission throughout the day. However, I 
started out in search of insects and when the rainfall became un- 
usually heavy I sought shelter under the dripping trees. 
In the evening a meke, or native dance, was put on for our 
benefit in Mecuisela’s house. About eight-thirty three native girls 
with leis of flowers around their necks and wrists, took a sitting 
posture on the floor in front of us and to the accompaniment of 
a small lali beaten by a boy, and with wierd singing carried on in 
a high pitch by all, the ‘‘dancers’’ indulged in various graceful 
movements of arms and hands. Lui said that they were singing 
of recent happenings in the village. After a half-dozen songs they 
clapped their hands together sharply to indicate that they had 
finished the first number of the program. Meanwhile, the parson 
and a number of natives had entered the house; the latter stowed 
themselves in various out-of-the-way places on the floor where 
they viewed the dance and the members of our party who, I feel 
sure, were more interesting to the natives than were the dancers. 
On completion of a dance the commendation of the on-lookers was 
expressed by the words ‘‘Vinaca, vinaca,’’ which means ‘‘Good, 
good.’’ Dance followed dance until we were more than satisfied 
and to further express our satisfaction and the dancers’ as well 
