116 FEEJEE ISLANDS AND THEIR VEGETATION. [^^^y, 



epiphytes (cKmbing plants^ gi'owing on the trees), both of Orchids 

 aud Ferns. Tree Ferns also abound, and of the trunks of these 

 the native houses are built. 



There are two native pines (a Dammara and an Araucaria) , 

 and a species of Casuarina furnishes the best club-wood. (The 

 importance of this tree in the Friendly Islands intimates that 

 the friendliness of the inhabitants is like that of the spider to 

 the flr.) 



The Yam is grown in diy ground on the hill sides ; it requires 

 a good deep soil, which must be well dug, and kept free from 

 weeds during the growth of the crop. The root, when carefully 

 cultivated, grows to eighteen inches or two feet in length, and 

 weighs ten to twenty or thii'ty pounds, or more. In shape and 

 aspect it resembles a ^langel-wurzel, but in its farinaceous pro- 

 perty and taste it is more like the Potato, though botanically it 

 is far removed from that plant. Yams are perhaps more watery 

 than the Potato ; but, if well baked, become dry, and are quite 

 as well tasted as ordinaiy Potatoes. The Feejee Yams are how- 

 ever inferior to those gro\vn in the Tonga groups, which may be 

 owing to difference of soil. 



The Sweet Potato (as the edible root of a species of Convol- 

 vulus is termed) is grown occasionally, but does not constitute a 

 staple crop. Two kinds of Arrowroot abound in the plains, and 

 their roots ai*e collected by the natives, but I did not see them 

 cultivated in gardens. 



Almost every house has its patch of Bananas, of which the 

 natives cultivate several varieties. These fruits are a very impor- 

 tant element in the food of the people, and are eaten both raw 

 and roasted, or variously dressed. The Sugar Cane is seen in a 

 few places, and might be cultivated to any extent. The Bread- 

 fruit-tree abounds, but its fruit was not in season during my 

 visit. 



The Cocoa-nut, which is generally so abundant on the shores 

 of all tropical islands of both hemispheres, does not seem to flou- 

 rish in Feejee, or at least is only abundant on some of the 

 islands. In the neighbourhood of Ban, Cocoa-nuts are so scarce 

 that they are taboo to the common people, being kept for the 

 use of the chiefs. At Lakemba they abound, and the natives 

 manufacture a considerable quantity of oil. Where the Cocoa 

 Palm grows, its nuts, used when about half ripe, furnish the 



