326 A MISSION TO VITI. 



shell is handed to the person of highest rank in the 

 company. The Kava is taken out of the bowl by means 

 in the strainer, which is dipped into the fluid, and then 

 squeezed. Although both bowl and cup are always care- 

 fully dried and cleaned after having been used, a crust 

 invariably forms at the inside, giving them the appear- 

 ance as if they had been enamelled. This crust, after a 

 lapse of three or four months, is carefully scraped off, 

 and makes the strongest of all Yaqona. The beverage 

 has the look of coffee with plenty of milk in it, and an 

 aromatic slightly pungent taste, which, when once ac- 

 quired, must, like all acquired tastes, be perfectly irre- 

 sistible. Drunk in moderation, it has probably no bad 

 effect, and acts upon the system somewhat like betel-nut ; 

 but taken in excess, it generates all sorts of skin-diseases, 

 and weakens the eyesight. Nearly all the lower class of 

 whites in the Fiji are Kava drinkers, some regular drunk- 

 ards ; and it is generally accepted as a proof of a man 

 belonging to the more respectable portion of society if 

 he refrains from touching this filthy preparation. Most 

 of these whites prefer it prepared in true Polynesian 

 fashion ; only a few have the root rasped on a grater a 

 process said to impair the flavour considerably. Roots of 

 Yaqona are presented to visitors as tokens of goodwill, 

 and to the temples as offerings. I have also seen the 

 leaves of the plant hung up in the temples, together 

 with the little twigs of the Waltlieria Americana. As 

 we in Europe, when engaging soldiers or servants, hand 

 a small coin in proof that the bargain has been ac- 

 cepted, so the Fijians, when effecting a bargain or sale 

 give or take a small deposit, which is called the " Ya- 



