72 



is another noble tree found in all parts of Fiji. It is 

 deciduous, and when the young* leaves unfold them- 

 selves, their peculiar reddish green colour gives a 

 pleasing variety to the landscape. Before the leaves 

 fall off they change from green to a reddish brick 

 colour. 



Several kinds of large fig trees baka (ficus) are 

 found in Fiji, notably one at Bureta in Ovalau, 

 another on the Rewa in the interior of Viti Levu, 

 and a third between the native towns of Vose Dam 

 and Wai Basaga on the Siga Toka river. The last- 

 mentioned tree serves as a sort of half-way house 

 between the two towns. Its trunk is hollow, and 

 could shelter 20 or 30 men. "Wayfarers kindle fires 

 in it to cook their food and keep themselves warm 

 during the night. These large fig trees commence 

 life as epiphytes, and ultimately strangle the tree 

 which supported them. A seed has been dropped, 

 perhaps by a bird, on a branch in the fork of the tree; 

 the position being favourable, the seed germinates, 

 and a tender radical, like a thread, grows down the 

 side of the trunk, clinging to the rough bark for sup- 

 port, till it reaches the ground. At the same time a 

 stem grows upwards from the seed. This root increases 

 yearly in size and strength, so docs the young plant, 

 which .-ciids, annually, instalments of roots to the 

 ground, in the same way as the first. The thread-like 

 mots rapidly grow thicker after they enter the ground, 

 and resemble perpendicular columns all round the 

 trunk of the tree. Another set of roots wind round 

 these, Like a many-folded net. These roots do not 

 displace one another. They unite perfectly, as by 

 affinity, \\ henever they come in contact, ever tighten- 

 ing their hold on the trunk of the tree, which, at last 



