228 A MISSION TO VITI. 



cially on the northern shores of Viti Levu and Vanua 

 Levu. In July, 1862, they figured, perhaps for the first 

 time in Europe, in the bill of fare at a grand dinner given 

 in London at Freemasons' Tavern by the Acclimatiza- 

 tion Society. A highly profitable trade in them was car- 

 ried on, principally by the Americans, until a few years 

 ago, through the political troubles caused by the inva- 

 sion of the Tonga islanders, it became impossible to 

 collect sufficient for filling a vessel fitted out on purpose. 

 As peace has now been re-established, this trade will 

 probably revive. As soon as a ship was full it sailed 

 direct to Manila, where merchants were eager to pur- 

 chase its cargo for the Chinese markets : a cargo of tea, 

 sugar, and silks, was then taken in for the homeward 

 voyage. Notwithstanding that no insurance of the ves- 

 sels engaged could be effected, on account of the bad 

 charts of Fiji, the profits realized were very great. A 

 whole cargo, which cost $1200, brought $12,000 ; and 

 another, which cost $3500, brought $27,000. As for 

 nearly ten years no sea-slugs have been collected, any 

 enterprising shipowner dispatching vessels there would 

 be able to collect a rich cargo in a very short space of 

 time. 



the United States Exploring Expedition, the following costs and returns 

 of five cargoes obtained by an American, Captain Eagleston : 



1st voyage, 617 piculs, cost $1,100, sales $ 8,021 

 2nd 700 $1,200, $17,500 



3rd 1,080 $3,396, $15,120 

 4th 840 $1,200, $12,600 



5th 1,200 $3,500, $27,000 



A further profit also arises from the investment of the proceeds in Can- 

 ton or Manila. This same trader obtained also 4488 pounds of tortoise- 

 shell at a cost of $5700, which sold in the United States for $29,050 net. 



