NAVUA AND ITS BURES. 109 
Navua is at present a collection of about forty houses, 
and built on the left bank of the river of the same 
name, and at the foot of a hill on which there is a pri- 
vate bure ni sa of the chief, enjoying a fine view of the 
flat land around, the river winding in bold curves, 
and high mountains in the distance. Two creeks inter- 
sect the town, over which isolated trunks of trees are 
thrown, the nearest approach to bridges I have seen in 
the country. In the two squares are several venerable 
Tahitian chestnut-trees (Inocarpus edulis, Forst.) densely 
covered with parasites (Loranthus), about a dozen spe- 
cies of epiphytical ferns,—one of them not larger than 
a moss,—wax-flowers, orchids, mosses, and lichens. There 
was no heathen temple (dure kalow), but a fine one 
might be seen from the top of the hill, about a mile off. 
I noticed three dures ni sa, strangers’ houses, or sleep- 
ing bures. At least two of the latter are invariably 
found at every Fijian town or village. They may be 
compared to our clubs; and those frequented by the 
ruling chiefs do not seem visited much by the lower 
class of people. That at Bau, already mentioned, was 
the largest I saw. All along the sides are sleeping- 
places, covered with fine mats, and large enough for two 
men to sleep; and between each there is a fireplace, 
and stages to put the legs on. Overhead a good supply 
of firewood is stowed. The centre of the building is 
covered with loose grass, generally Co dina (Paspalum 
scrobiculatum, Linn.). There are no windows, only low 
doors, which may be, and are always closed towards 
evening, by means of thick mats, in order to keep 
the mosquitoes out. A large kava-bowl, and bamboo 
