104 



specimens of this plant were not sufficient to 

 identify it), leba (eugenia ncuroealyx), the leaves of 

 a species of litsea, the uci, &c. In a word, every- 

 thing is used that will impart a perfume to the oil, 

 but the odours of sandalwood and macou are the most 

 valued. 



In the gardens of European settlers many tropical 

 fl iwering shrubs and trees, climbers, and ornamental 

 laved plants are cultivated; by some with care, 

 taste, and skill. These plants are chiefly cletorias, 

 hibiscuses, eranthemums, russellias, ipomaaas, dra- 

 eienas, acalyphas, coleus, alternantheras, gardenias, 

 roses, &c. Every vessel from Australia, New He- 

 brides, the Solomon, or Marquesas islands, brings 

 additions to the collections of amateurs, such as rare 

 specimens of hibiscus, dracamas, crotons, palms, &c. 



The Eijians do not make use of the roto (cycas 

 circinalis) or the soga (sagus vitiensis) as sago 

 yielding plants. This is an article they seem to be 

 unacquainted with, and it has not been made in Eiji 

 from these plants by any one, Seemann excepted. Prom 

 the roots of the yabia (one or more species of tacca), 

 a fecula is made. It is like arrowroot, but darker in 

 colour, and more nutritive. It is used in the same 

 way as arrowroot. Those who have tried both prefer 

 the yabia when they can obtain it pure and clean. 

 The yabia grows abundantly in all parts of Eiji, but 

 it is more common in the interior of Vanua Levu than 

 . other locality visited. The plant is not culti- 

 vated, but grows freely among grass in almost any 

 soil. It is herbaceous, and the leaves come up annually 

 after the wot season has set in. At the beginning of 

 the cool dry season the leaves turn yellow and decay, 

 bin the -talks remain in the ground, free from the 



