12 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



Fiji. For nine months in the year the cool south-east trade- 

 winds make one doubt the reading of the thermometer, which 

 ranges from 55 to 95, with a pretty regular daily average of 

 75 to 80. The rainfall varies in different localities, the lee- 

 ward side of the large islands being much drier than the wind- 

 ward. It is estimated to average 100 to 110 inches per 

 annum. The average velocity of the wind at Bua in Vanua 

 Levu in 1878 was 15 to 20 miles an hour. In addition to the 

 islands named, the principal centres for white men are Taviuni, 

 Koro, Vanua Balavu (of which the capital is Loma Loma), 

 Mango, Lakemba, and Chichia. 



The population maybe set down at 118,000 natives, 2000 

 Europeans or whites, and 2000 Polynesians, coolies, etc. 



CHAPTER III. 



CORAL AND CORAL REEFS. 



THE formations of coral in the Polynesian Groups are produced 

 by the ceaseless work of the zoophytic animals called polyparia. 

 Dr. Dana describes the polyp as 'an aquatic animal of the 

 radiata type, having in general a cylindrical body, at one ex- 

 tremity of which is a mouth surrounded by one or more series 

 of arms or tentacles.' 



The water of the sea holds in solution a great quantity of cal- 

 careous or lime matter, which is absorbed for their sustenance 

 by these little tenants of the deep ; and as the coral and shells 

 remain after their occupants are dead and decomposed, the bed 

 of the ocean is constantly receiving additions from this source ; 

 shells also, and the teeth and skeletons of fishes, contribute 

 some portion to the ever-growing stock. These relics accumu- 

 late in large masses, which rise to the surface in moderate 



