1875. | REY. S. J. WHITMEE ON PALOLA VIRIDIS, 501 
three months (trom October and November to July and August) in a 
single century. That such a change has not taken place I believe is | 
certain. It is now twenty-seven or twenty-eight years since the 
Palolo season was carefully observed by the missionaries then 
resident in Samoa, and their observations recorded in Europe *. 
That no change has taken place since then the dates given in this 
paper prove. 
I think it probable that there will be an extra intercalation of one 
lunation during the present year. If I am correct in my theory of 
13 lunations every third year, and that the last period of 13 luna- 
tions was 1871-1872, the present interval ought (according to the 
smaller cycle) to be one of 12 lunations. This would bring the 
time of the worm’s appearance to October 2nd of the present year 
(1874). But, as I have already stated, that date would be earlier 
in the month than any appearance of which we have certain know- 
ledge. Hence I am inclined to predict the next appearance of Palolo 
on the 31st of October (local time), after an interval of 13 lunations 
from the corresponding October season in 1873 f. 
In Dr. Seemann’s work it is said the Fijians “ expect a heavy 
shower of rain”’ after the Palolo have been cooked, ‘ to put out the 
fires of their ovens. Should there be: no rain a bad yam season is 
predicted.” The Samoans have no such superstition as that of the 
Fijians connected with the Palolo; but they have from time imme- 
morial recognized the fact that this worm makes its appearance at 
the time when a change of seasons takes place. Hence the time 
when the prevailing trade-wind changes from 8.E. to N.E. at the 
commencement of the summer, or rainy season, is called the vdi- 
palolo, which means the space or time of the Palolo. The opposite 
season, when the trade-wind changes from N.E. to S.E. at the 
commencement of the dry season, is in like manner called the vdi- 
to’elau, meaning the space or time of the change from the north 
wind. This is, in my opinion, very positively in favour of the 
absolute identity, as to the time of year, of the present with the past 
Palolo seasons for a very long period. The vdi-palolo is as much an 
integral part of the Samoan dialect as is our word spring (with 
which it corresponds) an integral part of the English language; and 
its origin is not modern. 
From the foregoing it is evident that a most remarkable com- 
pensation for the difference between lunar and solar time is made 
by some natural process in the development of this little annelid. 
I ain not at present prepared to give an opinion as to how this can 
be effected. 
N.B. Since writing the preceding, I have explained to an intel- 
ligent Samoan the occurrence of 13 lunations between the appearance 
of the Palolo every third year. After thinking a minute or two, he 
said, ‘‘ That is the reason why so many mistakes have been made by 
Samoans in predicting the moon during which the Palolo will appear. 
* Vide Ene. Brit. xi. p. 297, and P. Z. 8. March 9th, 1847. 
+ This has since proved to be correct. See P.S. of March 17th, 1875. 
