VANUA.LAVA. 241 



lives in the vicinity of these hot waters, that Wall was of 

 opinion belonged to the genus Megapodius. These eggs, 

 of much greater length than width, and pretty nearly the 

 same size at either end, were of a pinkish tint ; they re- 

 minded me that when at the island of Vate, at the Christian 

 village where Mr. Morrison lived, a native offered me two 

 eggs exactly similar, which I declined from fear of breaking 

 them. I have heard that a large bird is to be found also in 

 the neighbourhood of the volcano of Tanna. 



The natives of Vanua-Lava are better featured, not so 

 ugly, so dark, nor so savage-looking, as those of some of 

 the New Hebrides. Their hair gives you tlie impression 

 of a bundle of wool on the top of their heads. They 

 were very friendly, and seemed to be living on very 

 good terms with each other ; but it is stated that a 

 good deal of fighting goes on among them, on which occa- 

 sions they still make use of their hereditary weapons, ours 

 being unknown to them. They liave neither chiefs nor 

 government of any sort, so it is said ; it is the natural chief, 

 the father of the family, who cares for and directs his house- 

 hold as seems good to him. The natives are polygamists, 

 and appear jealous of their wives ; it is positively asserted 

 they are not cannibals. 



Bishop Patteson is of opinion that the population does 

 not exceed 800 souls in this comparatively large island, 

 while in Sugar-loaf Island he supposes there are 10,000. 

 The climate of Vanua-Lava, owing doubtless to the marshes 

 which extend from the sea to the foot of the mountains, is 



B 



