51 



appeared, only a few trees remaining. Bua is said 

 to be one of the driest parts in Fiji, but according to the 

 observations made by Mr. Holmes at Delanasau in this 

 district, the rainfall varies from 80 to 159 inches in 

 the year, the average for the last six years being 118 

 inches. 



I remained here for a week in the hospitable home 

 of one of the settlers, during which time I made several 

 journeys to what still remained of the forests, collecting 

 about a hundred different species of flowering plants 

 and ferns which I had not met with in other parts of the 

 group. At Kadi there is a thriving coffee plantation 

 which is being gradually extended. There are about 

 15 square miles of alluvial land — river flats, and low 

 hills, which would grow sugar cane well, and still 

 leave space to increase the cocoa-nut trees nearly 

 a thonsancl-fold. The country is covered with long 

 grass and reeds and pieces of forest, especially in the 

 .ravines. Fires in this, as in so many other parts of 

 Fiji, do great injury to vegetation and to the soil. 

 One of the settlers is getting up a herd of fine cattle, 

 which will help to keep down the rank grass, and so 

 tend to prevent fires from spreading. The river here 

 is navigable for several miles inland, and the alluvial 

 flats bordering it are very extensive. I left Bua and 

 journeyed to Wai-Nunu, across the southern point of 

 the island. On the way I stopped for a night at the 

 village of Warei. The path was in some places rough 

 and wet, and in the latter part of its course it went 

 along the banks and bed of the Wai Levu to Warei. 

 In every district of Fiji there is a Wai Levu, i.e., a large 

 river or stream. In most parts of the country passed 

 through, the soil was good, and suitable for growing 

 the common coffee and that of Liberia. The m ountaiu , 



D2 



