i 9 4 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



which the natives bestow a great deal of attention. This has 

 a large solid tuberous root of an oblong shape, sometimes 9 to 

 12 inches in length, and 5 or 6 in diameter. The plant 

 has no stalk ; the broad heart-shaped leaves rise from the 

 upper end of the root, and the flower is contained in a sort of 

 sheath. There are several varieties, but I do not know their 

 names. Taro is best cultivated in marshy spots. It is gene- 

 rally baked, the rind or skin being carefully scraped with a 

 knife. The roots are solid, and have the appearance of 

 mottled soap. They are farinaceous and nutritive, but I don't 

 like them ; they may, from a scientific point of view, be the 

 nearest approach to the potato, but if so, the nearest seemed 

 to me to be very far off. 



Speaking generally, there is no comparison in my opinion 

 between the fruits and vegetables of temperate latitudes and 

 those of the tropics. I confessedly prefer the potatoes, cab- 

 bages, and asparagus, the apples, pears, and strawberries of 

 England or America, to all the pine-apples, bananas, grena- 

 dillos, yams, taro, and bread-fruit of lovely Polynesia. The 

 exceptions I make are the lime and the orange. These are 

 delicious. A fresh-gathered lime squeezed into a tumbler of 

 water, with a little sugar added, makes a most refreshing 

 drink 



Use is second nature, and some of my friends were wont to 

 declare that they preferred yams and taro to the best potato. 

 I said nothing, but used to think of Reynard and the grapes. 

 Potatoes will not grow in the South Sea Islands, as far as I 

 know, and for outlying settlers to import them from Levuka, 

 Avhere they are sent from New Zealand, \ juld be expensive. 

 It should be said that the cultivation of grapes has been 

 attempted in Fiji, but with very partial success. I know that 

 a trial shipment was made, but have not heard the result. 



