156 A MISSION TO VITI. 



to its southern coast. The soil appeared everywhere of 

 the richest kind. We saw no plains of any size, but 

 series after series of undulating ranges of no very great 

 height, well suited for growing coffee, tea, and cotton. 

 Now and then there was a fine bird's-eye view of the 

 country, which Kuruduadua was always careful to point 

 out, evidently enjoying our expressions of delight on 

 these occasions. I saw a good many plants that inter- 

 ested me, and their collection ultimately isolated me 

 and Soromato, henceforth my shadow, from the rest of 

 the party. 



I had just been speculating on the cause of the Fi- 

 jian, in common with other insular floras, being poor 

 in gay-coloured, and rich in green, white, and yellow 

 flowers, when, lo ! a look in the valley revealed bushes 

 covered with a perfect mantle of scarlet and blue, 

 thrown up to great advantage by the bright rays of the 

 sun. I saw my travelling companions had made a halt 

 near the very spot where nature had condescended to 

 refute a deeply-rooted generalization. I clambered 

 down the hill as fast as the condition of the ground 

 would admit, and for awhile lost sight of the gay dis- 

 play by intervening objects. A few more steps and 

 I stood before a startling sight Colonel Smythe's artil- 

 lery uniform hung up to dry in the sun ! 



In detailing the violent emotions I had passed through, 

 my companions enjoyed a good laugh at my expense, 

 and invited me to cool myself by sitting down to a cup 

 of hot tea, pork, and yams, all spread out picnic fashion 

 on the grass, and in the shade of some fine cocoa-nut 

 palms. The village where I met with this mortification 



