470 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGKAPHY AND TKAVEL 



longest slope of which is towards the north-west, with 

 peaks between 3000 and 4000 feet in height. These 

 are covered with dense forests along the watershed, 

 which intercept the south-east trade winds, and, while 

 giving rise to numerous streams, leave the greater part 

 of the island to the north and west subject to long- 

 continued drought. On the south coast, in Savu-savu Bay, 

 are the hot springs of Waikama, which have a tempera- 

 ture within a degree or two of boiling-point, and are 

 used by the natives to cook their food. Taviuni, the third 

 island in point of size, has mountains of 4000 feet, 

 whose slopes are well adapted for agriculture, and many 

 Europeans are consequently established there. Kan- 

 davu, the south-westernmost of the group, is thickly 

 populated, and long celebrated for its forests of kauri 

 pine, from which numbers of the large Fiji canoes were 

 Ijuilt. Another island of some importance is Ovalau, 

 the chief town of which — Levuka — was until recently 

 the capital of the archipelago. It is nearly circular in 

 form and about 7 miles across, and is very mountainous, 

 rising to an elevation of more than 2000 feet, and pre- 

 senting in this small area of 43 square miles all the 

 features of a great mountain system, with numerous 

 ranges and spurs, beautiful valleys, and narrow gorges. 

 Levuka consists of one long street extending along the 

 beach and occupying almost the whole of the level 

 ground. The dwelling-houses are perched on the rocky 

 mountain-side above the town, and are approached by 

 steep winding paths or steps over rocky slopes. The 

 site was incapable of extension, so that the removal of 

 the official capital to Suva, where there is ample space 

 Ibr a considerable town and suburban population, and 

 ready access to the interior of a large island, was fully 

 justified. 



