CLIMATE, SOIL, AND FLORA. 277 
summit of Buke Levu. The re-establishment of the 
woods on ground at one time under cultivation can 
scarcely be adduced as a proof that the population has 
seriously diminished, but rather that the Fijians have 
for ages followed the same system of agriculture as they 
do at present, that of constantly selecting new spots for 
their crops when the old ones, which their ignorance 
prevents them from fertilizing by the introduction of 
manure, become exhausted. The displaced vegetation 
quickly resumes its former sway, until perhaps, after the 
lapse of years, it has once more to make room for cul- 
tivated plants. 
The aspect of the weather side of the islands is essen- 
tially different from that of the lee side. The former 
teems with a dense mass of vegetation, huge trees, in- 
numerable creepers, and epiphytical plants. Hardly 
ever a break occurs in the green mantle spread over hill 
and dale, except where effected by artificial means. 
Rain and moisture are plentiful, adding ever fresh 
vigour to, and keeping up the exuberant growth of, 
trees, shrubs, and herbs. Far different is the aspect of 
the lee side. Instead of the dense jungle, interlaced 
with creepers and loaded with epiphytes, a fine grassy 
country, here and there dotted with screw-pines, pre- 
sents itself. The northern shores of Viti Levu and 
Vanua Levu bear this character in an eminent degree, and 
their very aspect is proof that rain falls in only limited 
quantity ; the high ridge of mountains, which form, as it 
were, the backbone of the two largest islands, intercept- 
ing many showers, but sending down perpetual streams to 
fertilize the low lands of the coast. The lee side would 
