AMONG THE CANNIBAL ISLANDS. 231 



equal to that of other similar regions. In the dense tropical 

 forests, which cover large areas, tree ferns, screw pines, and a 

 multitude of other strange forms contend with one another for 

 the light of day, while affording nourishment to an immense 

 variety of epiphytic mosses, lianas, and ferns, which connect the 

 larger stems and branches with an almost impenetrable network 

 of green. 



There are few really indigenous species of animals ; rats and 

 flying foxes being the only mammals. As to the others now 

 found here, the names by which they are known point to their 

 European origin; thus we have seepi (sheep), goti (goat), collie 

 (dog), pussi (cat), etc. Even the hogs and fowls which run wild 

 in the jungles came originally from the Friendly Islands, where 

 they were introduced by the early navigators. 



Living in such a little world as this, the Fijians were of neces- 

 sity much in advance of the races inhabiting the neighboring 

 Pacific islands. The struggle for securing and holding this fair 

 domain must of itself have led to its possession by a superior 

 race. We find evidences of this superiority not only in the splen- 

 did physical development of the Fijians, but also in their rela- 

 tively advanced religious notions and in their rather elaborate 

 system of mythology. One traveler has likened this people, in 

 some respects, to the primitive Greeks. If we compare the petty 

 maritime enterprises celebrated in Fijian song and story with 

 those recorded by the early Greek poets, we may imagine the dif- 

 ference to be in some measure due to the difference in character 

 of the two archipelagoes which were their respective scenes of 

 action. Upon taking the trouble to translate certain books of 

 Homer into Fijian it was found that their recital was listened to 

 by a company of these untutored savages with the most appreci- 

 ative attention. This fact certainly speaks well for the mental 

 quality of the race. The one foul blot upon the character of the 

 Fijians was their cannibalism ; but, in view of the readiness with 

 which they have abandoned this practice, now that animal food 

 can be easily obtained, we must hold Nature responsible, not only 

 for this curse, but also for the many other barbarities attend- 

 ing it. 



The national character of Fiji finds its best expression in the 

 songs once common among the natives, but now, under Christian 

 influences, almost obsolete. These songs or mekkes, as they are 

 called, generally recount the story of some ancient hero, of some 

 military campaign or naval expedition, or perhaps of a peaceful 

 fishing excursion. They are generally sung of evenings by the 

 men only, who assemble for the purpose in one of their long, low 

 huts. Here they sit in solemn state on mats laid upon the ground, 

 the only light being that of a smoky fire in one end. According 



