318 A MISSION TO VITI. 
the two varieties grow together, like a fine Turkey car- 
pet. Ihave often seen the natives gathering handfuls 
of them to strew on their heads. In their idea, there is 
scarcely a finer tree than the Kavika; and when in their 
fairy tales the imagination runs riot, and describes all 
that is lovely and beautiful, the Kavika is rarely omitted. 
The Hawaiians, as I have stated elsewhere (‘ Narrative 
of the Voyage of H.M.S. Herald,’ vol. ii. p. 83), thought 
this tree worthy of supplying materials for their idols; 
and thus, like the Fijians, recorded their veneration for 
it. A botanist, himself more than half a tree-worship- 
per, can fully sympathize with them. The fine oblong 
leaves, their smooth shining surface, the deep purple 
or pure white flowers, and afterwards the large quince- 
shaped fruits, with their apple-like smell and deli- 
cate flavour, are well calculated to justify much of the 
praise Polynesians bestow upon the tree. The Ivi, or 
Tahitian chestnut, as it has been called by voyagers 
(Inocarpus edulis, Forst.), is one of the common trees, 
and when fully grown has a most venerable aspect. I 
still see in my mind’s eye a fine group on the banks of 
a rivulet between Wairiki and Somosomo, diffusing a 
dense shade. Sixty, often eighty feet high, the Ivi 
bears a thick crown of oblong leathery leaves, small 
white flowers emitting a delicious perfume, and kidney- 
shaped fruits, which contain a kernel resembling chest- 
nuts in taste. The kernel is either baked or boiled, and 
eaten without further preparation, or grated on the 
mushroom coral (Fungia), and made into puddings or 
bread (madrai). The stem is most singular. When young, 
it is fluted like a Grecian column; when old, it has re- 
