362 A MISSION TO VITI. 
Nearly every native consulted pointed out a different 
tree as the source of that timber. Mr. Pritchard also 
took some pains about it, as the subject was brought 
before him in his consular capacity. A resident in 
Ovalau had made a contract with a man for a supply of 
Dakua salusalu. When the timber was delivered, cut 
on Vanua Levu, it was found to be that of the common 
Dakua (Dammara), quite unlike the wood going by the 
name of Dakua salusalu in Ovalau. Payment being re- 
fused, the Consul’s interference was invoked. There 
being no scientific work to which an appeal could be 
made, Mr. Pritchard solved the difficulty by deciding 
that, although the wood tendered might bear or bore 
the name of Dakua salusalu in Vanua Levu, it was not 
the one recognised by that name in Ovalau ; and whereas 
the contract had been entered into in the latter island, 
only such wood as was called ‘“‘Dakua salusalu” there 
need be paid for. 
The Nokonoko (Casuarina equisetifolia, Forst.) pro- 
duces a wood much used for clubs and all purposes in 
which hardness and heaviness is an object. It is most 
frequent in the eastern parts of the group, its preva- 
lence indicating a poor soil. Its sombre aspect, and the 
wailing sound caused by the playing of the breezes in 
the branches, forcibly appeal to the poetical sentiment ; 
hence the Nokonoko is planted in masses about tombs, 
and a fine grove of that kind is seen at Lakeba, sur- 
rounding the burial-place of a departed chief. The 
young branches are drooping, imparting to the tree a 
peculiarly graceful look, and forming a beautiful con- 
trast to the erect and rigid growth of its congener, the 
