VAVAU. 07 



presents when they are about to be married, and whicli 

 they keep, it is said, witliout ever nial<ing use of them ; 

 but the one I have seems to liave done good service ; it is 

 made of a hard dark wood, and covered over with a greyisli 

 paint or enameh 



The soil of Vavau is of a dull red, and of so friable a 

 nature that it crumbles in the hand like the ashes of 

 Pompeii. Lava is to be found in many places, and a white 

 stone riddled with holes, which some refer to the coral, 

 but which appears to me to be rather a species of lava, hke 

 that formerly thrown out by Vesuvius, and which is still 

 found in the Bay of Naples. This stone is very hard, 

 heavy, and susceptible of a very fine polish. The igneous 

 origin of these countries is, moreover, proved by the little 

 island of Latte, situated some miles to the west, where 

 there is now an active volcano, which I was sorry not to 

 have visited. There exist on the coast of Vavau some 

 curious caves which were visited by my fi-iend. Lieutenant 

 Meade, from whose MS. I have borrowed the following- 

 description : — • The first cave was well worth inspection ; 

 the mouth was broad enough to admit our two boats easily, 

 and there was sufficient water in neaiiy every part to float 

 a fi'igate. The stalactites and columns under the high- 

 domed roof resemble gothic arches. The bright sunlight 

 streaming through the narrow gateway of the cave, through 

 the singularly clear water, and reflected up from the 

 sparkling stones, and coral at the bottom full five fathoms 

 deep, shed a beautifid series of lights and tints, shades of 



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