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CHAPTER XVI. 
GENERAL REMARKS ON THE ASPECT, CLIMATE, SOIL, AND VEGETATION OF 
FIJI.—COLONIAL PRODUCE.—STAPLE FOOD.—EDIBLE ROOTS.—KITCHEN 
VEGETABLES.—EDIBLE FRUITS.—NATIONAL BEVERAGES.—KAVA. 
Vit, or Fiji, is an archipelago in the South Pacific 
Ocean, midway between the Tongan islands and the 
French colony of New Caledonia, having, according to 
Dr. Petermann’s recent calculations, a superficial area 
equal to that of Wales, or eight times that of the Ionian 
Islands. The exact number of islands and islets com- 
prising it is merely approximately known, only a partial 
hydrographical survey of the whole group having as yet 
been made; 230 would probably be rather below than 
above the number. Viti Levu, Kadavu, Vanua Levu, 
and Taviuni, are of primary, Rabe, Koro, Gau, and Ova- 
lau, of secondary, magnitude. Situated between lati- 
tudes 19°47’ S. and 15° 47’S., and longitudes 180° 8’ W. 
and 176° 50’ E.,, the climate is tropical, but the heat 
is moderated, in the winter season by the south-east, in 
the summer by the north-east trade-wind. 62° Fahr. is 
the lowest temperature observed in Lakeba by Mr. Wil- 
liams, in Kadavu by Mr. Royce; but, though the mean 
temperature of the whole group may be stated to be 
80° Fahr., the thermometer has been known to rise to 
