FIJI-NEW ZEALAND EXPEDITION 147 
been improved in health and vigor and this was reflected in in- 
ereased labor efficiency and happier lives. In this way as the dis- 
eases of tropics are conquered the tremendous agricultural re- 
sources of these regions may be developed. The next generation 
will have to use the great middle zone and such work as Dr. 
Lambert is doing is a necessary forerunner of the full industrial 
development of the tropics. 
The climax of our experiences was an eight day journey into the 
interior of Vitilevu island as the guest of Colonial Secretary 
Fell. His group included Captain Alan Lawrence, of Australia, 
and Dr. A. O. Thomas, Mr. Waldo Glock and myself of the lowa 
party, together with numerous Fijians and a Hindu cook. 
The first stage of this trip was down the coast by launch from 
Suva to Navua, a distance of about twenty miles. Going out at 
high tide we took the inside channel and rode for miles over most 
beautiful coral formations. The water was so shallow that in 
places the launch scraped bottom, and as the sun shone brilliantly 
we had a favorable view of these submarine growths with their 
darting fish of striking colors. There was afforded at the same 
time a general survey of the nearby shore with its low mountains 
clothed in green to their summits. 
We were entertained that evening at a formal dinner given by 
the District Commissioner at Navua, and spent the night at a 
comfortable hotel situated on the river’s bank. Early the follow- 
ing morning the party proceeded up the Navua River in fiat- 
bottomed punts which were pushed along by slender ‘‘makita’”’ 
poles in the hands of stalwart Fijians. In the lower stretches of 
the river through the delta district, travel was easy and two men 
each readily handled the boats. But by afternoon when we were 
pushing up between mountains, six and finally eight men were 
pushing mightily on each boat. No more interesting display of 
strength and skill than was shown by those splendidly muscled 
natives working happily in perfect rhythm, shoving the boats up 
over those difficult rapids. Only twice were we compelled to dis- 
embark though several times the Fijians were forced to wade and 
push the boats with their hands. 
Noon brought us to the village of Nakuavu where we were re- 
ceived with great dignity by the head men of the village who con- 
ducted us to a bower tastefully decorated with palm and other 
foliage plants erected in honor of our visit. Within this enclosure 
