44 A MISSION TO VITI. 
its growing in various groups of the Pacific, and Mr. 
Pritchard’s untiring efforts to preserve the peace of that 
region. Fans made of this palm are used exclusively 
by the chiefs, and forbidden to be carried by the com- 
mon people. Should Fiji ever choose a national em- 
blem, the claims of this palm to be regarded as such, 
should not be overlooked. 
Mrs. Waterhouse made me a present of an Orange 
Cowry, or Bulikula as the natives term it (Cyprea 
aurantium, Martyn), the first I had seen there. This 
shell has hitherto been found exclusively in Fiji, where 
it is confined to the islands and shores of North-west 
Viti Levu; it is worm as an ornament around the 
neck by natives of rank. Not many years ago, a couple 
of these cowries would fetch as much as £50 in Eu- 
rope, but at present a pair without the least flaw, and 
of the deepest tint the shell is known to assume, may be 
bought in London for £6. Hugh Cuming, Esq., the 
possessor of the largest conchological collection ever 
brought together, is my authority. This statement 
will doubtless be received with surprise by the Fijian 
traders, who ask a much higher price on the spot, and 
still fancy great profits might be realized, in the Euro- 
pean markets. It should however be remembered, that 
though the Orange Cowry is extremely local in its geo- 
graphical range, and will consequently always be a rare 
shell, specimens have found their way to every public 
museum and every private cabinet of importance long 
ere this, and the principal demand having thus been 
met, the price has necessarily declined. 
The road from Wairiki to Somosomo leads for seve- 
