144 BERTHA'S VISIT TO HER 



requiring irrigation. The fields are divided for 

 that purpose, like the rice grounds of the East, 

 into small squares which may be easily flooded, 

 and the roots are planted in rows. The root of 

 the taro when roasted resembles the yam ; but it 

 is usually pounded into a paste, and then mixed 

 with water, so as to become of the consistence 

 of porridge. 



The Sandwich Islands are nearer to you than 

 to England, and yet perhaps you do not know, 

 dear mamma, that although the bread-fruit 

 is the most important of all their vegetables, 

 they have another very useful one, called Tee 

 by the natives. The root is sweet, and produces 

 a pleasant liquor, but a little intoxicating. 

 The leaves woven together form a light cloak 

 for the inhabitants of the mountains ; some- 

 thing like those formed of the palm leaves by 

 the poorer natives of Hindostan, to shelter them 

 while at work in the open fields. Fences are 

 often formed by planting the tee roots close 

 together ; but what makes the plant particularly 

 remarkable is, that a stalk of it is with them the 

 symbol of peace, as a branch of olive is with 

 us. 



Of the bark of the paper mulberry that in- 

 genious people manufacture very nice cloth ; 

 they make beautiful mats from the leaves of 

 their palm trees ; and you know what pretty 

 cloaks and caps of feathers have been brought 



