160 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



Wakaya, the imported labourers have been taught to manage 

 machinery running at a rapid rate, and driven by steam-power. 



Candle-nuts grow wild over all the group. By squeezing 

 the nuts in the hand, the oil exudes, and this is equal to rape- 

 seed oil in value, ie., from 30 to 35 per ton. The great 

 difficulty has been in separating the nut from the kernel, but 

 with proper machinery this would be soon obviated; at 

 present the shells are simply crushed by the natives witl 

 stones, and the kernels shipped in bulk to England or Germany 

 These nuts possess very remarkable medicinal powers if eater 

 freely, and are not unpleasant to the taste. 



Maize is being constantly exported to Australia and New 

 Zealand, while Fiji rum is making for itself a home in the 

 latter colony. 



Cattle and horses all thrive well, and there are now 360 

 horses, 5000 cattle, and 4700 sheep in the group, besides 

 50,000 pigs ; and Fijian wool is now a regular article of export. 



In regard to Mcfie-de-mer, or 'sea-slug,' considered by the 

 Chinese such a delicacy, I have been frequently assured that 

 upon the north coast of Viti and Vanua Levu, and at some 

 places in the Windward Group, particularly Fulanga, any 

 active Fijian can in two nights catch sufficient ' fish ' to fill 

 when dried, a three-bushel bag. The value of such a bagfi 

 would be from twenty-five to forty shillings, according t 

 variety, and the perfection with which it is cured. At presen 

 this trade is almost entirely in the hands of Chinamen, whc 

 employ quite a fleet of small boats. B$cJie-de-mer, like turtles, 

 are among the Fijians 'royal fish.' They used only to be 

 caught by command of the Supreme Chief. 



More than thirty years ago 16,000 worth of beclie-de-mer 

 was taken away by one trader at the rate of 3000 worth 

 per annum, and all from the north coasts of Vanua and Viti 



