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CHAPTER VI. 



Timber — Native Houses — Minor Forest 

 Produce. 



The forest of Piji contain many valuable timber 

 trees, of which a few may be mentioned. 



The vest (afzelia bijuga), yields perhaps the most 

 valuable timber in Piji. It generally 'grows on 

 the shore or sandy beaches, and in rocky clefts, 

 and by the sides of streams in the interior (on the 

 north-west sides) of Viti Levn and Vanua Levu. 

 It is not a lofty growing tree, but its branches 

 are wide spreading. The length of the trunk is 

 seldom more than 20 feet, and its diameter is fre- 

 quently from 3 to 4 feet. Its wood is of a dark 

 brown colour, closely and evenly grained, heavy, and 

 hard, but easily worked ; very durable in any situation, 

 and capable of taking a fine polish. It is a most valu- 

 able timber where strength and durability are required, 

 and in no respect inferior to teak. Knotty and gnarled 

 portions of it are excellent substitutes for lignum 

 vita? in making block-sheaves. Large sound trees of 

 it are now scarce in the colony, owing to its having 

 been extensively used in the construction of large 

 canoes, for which the Pijians were famed. It is used 

 in house building as pillars to support the wall plates 

 and centre ridges; also in making agona bowls, 

 native drums, or talis, &c. The tree is common 

 on the shores of nearly all tropical countries, from 

 the oast const of Africa, through the Mascarene, 

 Indian, Malayan, and Polynesian islands to the western 



