154 FEJEE ISLANDS. 



by the natives. Here, also, the " Leonidas " had one of her 

 sailors killed by a chief, named Gingi, only a few weeks 

 before. The reason he assigned for the act was, that the 

 sailor had maltreated him when he was to the islands in a 

 previous voyage. We endeavored to seize the murderer, but 

 without success. 



We saw some pottery here of an excellent quality, manu- 

 factured by the native women. The clay used is of a red 

 color, and is obtained in great quantities on the shores of the 

 bay. Some of the vessels were very gracefully shaped, and 

 had tracings executed upon them by young girls with the fibres 

 of a cocoa-nut leaf. The pots are dried in the open air ; and 

 for baking them they use a common wood fire, without any 

 oven ; but the tenacity of the clay is such, that even without 

 baking the pottery is sufficiently strong. The different parts 

 are all made separately and afterwards joined ; but this is 

 done so well, that it is impossible to discover the joints, 

 especially if the vessel has been varnished.* 



About noon next day (29th), we arrived at the place of our 

 destination. 



Matawata is a large town, and situated near the beach. 

 The country around it is quite level — has but few trees on it, 

 and the soil does not appear to be fertile ; but the town is well 

 built, and has considerable trade in Biche de Mar and tor- 

 toise-shell. 



The king's name is Tui-Matawata. He is old, and suffers 

 very much from the elephantiasis — so much so, that he can 

 scarcely walk. He has several wives ; among others, one 

 called Henrietta, who is a native of Rotuma — has a fair com- 

 plexion, and is quite good-looking. Our pilot was well 



This varnish consists of the resin of a species of pine, mixed with a decoction 

 of the mangrove bark. 



