SACKED GROVES AND TREES. 87 



at her, without however wounding or killing any one. 

 Formerly these inter-tribal feuds were of much more fre- 

 quent occurrence, and often protracted over a consider- 

 able period of time ; but since firearms have become 

 accessible to all parties, the same result followed in Fiji 

 as in Europe upon the invention of gunpowder. 



Sacred groves and trees form as prominent a feature 

 in the paganism of the Fijians as they did in that of 

 the In do-Germanic nations. A fine grove still exists in 

 the Eewa district near the mission-station of Mataisuva, 

 and at a point of the coast termed Na Vadra Tolu (the 

 three screw-pines), probably from three specimens of 

 the Pandanus odoratissimus, still a common plant in 

 that locality, having stood there. Leaving the mission- 

 premises, and keeping along the sandy beach, an enor- 

 mous Yevuyevu tree (Hernandia Sonora, Linn.) presents 

 itself, forming a complete bower, which leads to a curi- 

 ous group of vegetable giants. A venerable Vutu raka- 

 raka (Barringtonia speciosa, Linn.), more than sixty feet 

 high, has thrown out several huge branches, two of 

 which form, in connection with the stem, bold arches. 

 The large aerial roots of epiphytical fig-trees are hold- 

 ing the monster in close embrace ; several kinds of ferns 

 and climbing Aroidece and wax-flowers (Hoyas) interlace 

 the struggling masses, and tend to increase the wildness 

 of this fantastic scene. The dense foliage of surround- 

 ing Vesi, Ivi, and other fine trees ensures a constant 

 gloom and sombreness to the place ; and only through 

 the bower, serving as an entrance, does the eye obtain 

 a glance at the open sea, and perchance the sight of a 

 passing canoe with its large triangular sail. It was at 



