184 TEE CRUISE OF THE ' CUBAQOA: 



buted to the introduction of spirituous liquors, the use of 

 woollen clothing, and the spread of syphilitic diseases ; for 

 in many islands, where none of these exist, the inhabitants 

 are still diminishing in numbers. 



The soil is fertile and capable of producing everything that 

 requires a tropical climate, together with many of the plants 

 of the temperate zones. At present Fiji produces cotton, 

 coffee, and tobacco, of the best quality ; the nutmeg, india- 

 rubber and gutta-percha trees are found in the forests, and 

 excellent shipbuilding timber and valuable furniture woods 

 abound throughout the islands of the group. ^ 



The European population of the group may be calculated 

 at about 300. Civihsation has been but lately introduced 

 into Fiji, and it is uncertain how far it may suit the temper 

 of the natives ; as thej^ are ruder and more savage than their 

 neighbours, they less readily adopt foreign customs. The 

 class of settlers that has hitherto come to Fiji is dependent 

 on manual labour for its livelihood; but the fertihty of the 

 soil and the salubrity of the climate will no doubt continue 

 to attract others fsom the neighbouring colonies. The 

 islander, nevertheless, gains little from his contact with 

 Europeans. His hut, built of reeds, is well suited to the 

 climate, and sufficiently commodious in his eyes. When he 

 has exchanged his stone hatchet for an iron one, his club for 



* ' The rapidity of tlie vegetation as described by the Missionaries is 

 remarkable. Turnips, radish, and mustard seed show themselves 

 above ground in twenty-four hours. Melons, cucumbers, and pump- 

 kins in three days ; beans and peas in four ; radish and lettuce fit for 

 use in four weeks, marrow-fat peas in five.' — Erskine, p. 268. 



