STAPLE FOOD. 



299 



8. Vula ni sevu = February; 



when offerings of the 

 first dug yams (ai sevu) 

 are made to the priests. 



9. Vula i Kelikeli = March; 



digging up yams and 

 storing them in sheds. 



10. Vula i gasau = April ; 



reeds (gasau) begin to 

 sprout out afresh. 



11. Vula i <io^ = May; the 



Doi (Alpliitonia zizy- 

 phoides, A. Gray), a tree 

 plentiful in Fiji, flowers. 



Vulai songa sou seselieb, 

 build yam-houses. 



9. Vulai Matua, or Endoye 

 doye ; yams ripe. (N.B. 

 Vulai Endoye doye, 

 probably is meant for 

 Vula i doi ; the Doi is a 

 tree (Alpliitonia zizy- 

 phoides, A. Gray), B. 

 Seemann.) 

 Vulai mbota mbota. 



10. 



11. Vulai kelekele, or Vulai 

 mayo mayo ; digging 

 yams. 



The yam principally cultivated is the Lioscorea alata, 

 Linn., having a square climbing stem without prickles. 

 The natives distinguish a number of varieties, all of 

 which are known by the collective name of " Uvi." 

 Some have large, some small roots, of either a white or 

 more or less purplish tinge ; and upon these differences, 

 as well as their shape and time of maturity, the distinc- 

 tions are founded.* At Navua, in Viti Levu, Chief 

 Kuruduadua showed us a lot of yams six feet long and 

 nine inches in diameter, perfectly mealy, and every part 

 good eating ; and specimens, eight feet long, and weigh- 

 ing one hundred pounds, are by no means rare in the 

 group. Skilful growers maintain that in order to pro- 



* These varieties are called Dannini, Keu, Kasokaso, or Kasoni, Voli, 

 Sedre, Lokaloka, Moala, Uvi ni Gau, Lava, Namula, Eausi, Balebale, etc. 



