326 A MISSION TO VITI. 
shell—is handed to the person of highest rank in the 
company. The Kava is taken out of the bowl by means 
in the strainer, which is dipped into the fluid, and then 
squeezed. Although both bowl and cup are always care- 
fully dried and cleaned after having been used, a crust 
invariably forms at the inside, giving them the appear- 
ance as if they had been enamelled. This crust, after a 
lapse of three or four months, is carefully scraped off, 
and makes the strongest of all Yaqona. The beverage 
has the look of coffee with plenty of milk in it, and an 
aromatic slightly pungent taste, which, when once ac- 
quired, must, like all acquired tastes, be perfectly irre- 
sistible. Drunk in moderation, it has probably no bad 
effect, and acts upon the system somewhat like betel-nut ; 
but taken in excess, it generates all sorts of skin-diseases, 
and weakens the eyesight. Nearly all the lower class of 
whites in the Fiji are Kava drinkers, some regular drunk- 
ards; and it is generally accepted as a proof of a man 
belonging to the more respectable portion of society if 
he refrains from touching this filthy preparation. Most 
of these whites prefer it prepared in true Polynesian 
fashion ; only a few have the root rasped on a grater—a 
process said to impair the flavour considerably. Roots of 
Yaqona are presented to visitors as tokens of goodwill, 
and to the temples as offerings. I have also seen the 
leaves of the plant hung up in the temples, together 
with the little twigs of the Waltheria Americana. As 
we in Europe, when engaging soldiers or servants, hand 
a small coin in proof that the bargain has been ac- 
cepted, so the Fijians, when effecting a bargain or sale 
give or take a small deposit, which is called the “ Ya- 
