362 A MISSION TO VITI. 



Nearly every native consulted pointed out a different 

 tree as the source of that timber. Mr. Pritchard also 

 took some pains about it, as the subject was brought 

 before him in his consular capacity. A resident in 

 Ovalau had made a contract with a man for a supply of 

 Dakua salusalu. When the timber was delivered, cut 

 on Vanua Levu, it was found to be that of the common 

 Dakua (I)ammara\ quite unlike the wood going by the 

 name of Dakua salusalu in Ovalau. Payment being re- 

 fused, the Consul's interference was invoked. There 

 being no scientific work to which an appeal could be 

 made, Mr. Pritchard solved the difficulty by deciding 

 that, although the wood tendered might bear or bore 

 the name of Dakua salusalu in Vanua Levu, it was not 

 the one recognised by that name in Ovalau ; and whereas 

 the contract had been entered into in the latter island, 

 only such wood as was called " Dakua salusalu '' there 

 need be paid for. 



The Nokonoko (Casuarina equiseti folia, Forst.) pro- 

 duces a wood much used for clubs and all purposes in 

 which hardness and heaviness is an object. It is most 

 frequent in the eastern parts of the group, its preva- 

 lence indicating a poor soil. Its sombre aspect, and the 

 wailing sound caused by the playing of the breezes in 

 the branches, forcibly appeal to the poetical sentiment ; 

 hence the Nokonoko is planted in masses about tombs, 

 and a fine grove of that kind is seen at Lakeba, sur- 

 rounding the burial-place of a departed chief. The 

 young branches are drooping, imparting to the tree a 

 peculiarly graceful look, and forming a beautiful con- 

 trast to the erect and rigid growth of its congener, the 



