322 THE GBUISE OF THE 'GUBAQOA.' 



fruit tree, banana, plantain, the chestnut of the Pacific, the 

 yam, aiTowroot, and taro in small quantities ; these three 

 last plants are, together with an edible root resembling taro, 

 only very much larger, and called Nevya, the stand-by in 

 times of scarcity and famine. Tliere are four species of 

 indigenous palms. The papau has been introduced. 



Pigs appear to have been introduced from Tanna several 

 years ago. Captain Edwards brought in horses, cattle, and 

 goats, but none are in the possession of the natives; and 

 the stock was to be removed to New Caledonia in a 

 short time. 



The natives give distinct names to sixty birds. Among 

 them arc pigeons, and several small birds, some of gay, 

 others of gorgeous plumage. There are two species of 

 snakes. There are native names for ninety-five salt-water, 

 and for sixteen fresh-water fish ; a few are edible. 



Their weapons are l)ows, aiuows, s[)ears, &c.,and recently 

 gnus and hatchets. 



Tliey make the rings of stone, ah'eady alluded to, the 

 largest of which weigh some forty pounds, and the smallest 

 two and a-half pounds. They also make out of stalactites, 

 or sometimes of clay, images of the new and full moons ; 

 they are considered sacred, used perhaps as idols, and are 

 only exhibited at feasts ; at all other times they are kept 

 hidden in the ground. Nunpuri shells, principally bought by 

 traders, and boar's tusks, are used for similar purposes 

 in barter. 



