A KITE.—THE ‘PAUL JONES.’ 45 
ral miles along a fine sandy beach, underneath a bower 
of stately trees, and then branches off inland. I passed 
magnificent groves of Tahitian chestnuts (Inocarpus 
edulis, Forst.), growing on the banks of rivulets and 
diffusing a delightful shade and coolness, whilst their 
grooved trunk and knobby root, always rising above the 
ground, are conspicuous objects. Although it was now 
the dry season, nevertheless I was completely drenched 
by several showers. Indeed there were few fine days 
during the whole time I was staying in Taviuni, and I 
may as well add that 1860 was as unusually wet in 
Fiji as that year proved in Europe and other countries. 
The land between Wairiki and Somosomo does not 
appear to be very rich, the soil being rather stony; the 
extreme luxuriance of the vegetation must therefore 
principally be ascribed to the great quantity of rain 
that falls almost throughout the year. 
One day, Messrs. Storck and Coxon made a large kite, 
to the great amusement and entertainment of the Fi- 
jians, who, chief and all, turned out to see it. They 
called it a “ manumanu” (bird), and had never beheld 
such a thing before; our Rotuma men, however, said 
they knew it, and in their island often made it of 
Ivi (Jnocarpus) leaves. Great was the joy when the 
“ nostilions” reached their destination, and, as there was 
a fine breeze, the trick was always successful. So much 
were they gratified that they came for several days in 
succession to beg that the kite might be brought out, 
till at last the toy got such a bore that the makers were 
obliged to destroy it. 
In accordance with my request, Mr. Consul Pritchard 
