Ill 



Besides for making mats, the above materials arc 

 also employed in making baskets of divers models. 

 Different designs are wrought out on the baskets, 

 by using plain or stained material. The strongest 

 baskets are made from the split stems of flagcllaria 

 indica, and the mid-ribs of cocoa-nut leaves ; a strip 

 from the outer part of these being used. A kind of 

 ratan (calamus), well adapted for basket making and 

 all kinds of wicker work, is common in the mountain 

 forests of Taviuni. As no articles made from it were 

 seen, it is not supposed to be used for basket making, 

 or in fact for any purpose. It is a strong growing 

 plant, climbing to the tops of the highest trees. Its 

 leaves, divided into leaflets like those of a palm, end 

 in a spiny tendril, and their mid-ribs and veins are 

 covered with recurved spines. The stems can be 

 divested of the leaf-sheaths, which adhere to them, 

 by steeping in water and exposure to strong sunshine. 



Hopes, &c, are made from the fibres of vau 

 (paritium sp.), JealaJcakaisau (hibiscus diversifolius), 

 sinu mataiavl (wikstrcemia indica), yaka (pachyr- 

 rhizus angulatus), cocoa-nut fibre or sinnet, &c. 

 These fibres are extracted by maceration, beating, 

 or scraping with a shell. Pishing nets are principally 

 made from the fibres of sinu mataiavl, and the yaka, 

 plaited hard like whip- cord. They are as strong 

 and lasting as those made of hemp. Plaiting sinnet 

 is a favourite occupation of the Pijians, in which 

 all can take part. 



