UPO LU— M ANONO— S A V A I I. 103 



formed in part of blocks of lava. There are also in this neighbour- 

 hood many caves in the streams of lava. The cave at Sanga is the 

 largest of these, and to describe it will convey an idea of those of 

 smaller dimensions. 



The cave at Sanga was dedicated to the god " Moso," who was 

 supposed to reside in it. The entrance was found to be closed by an 

 artificial wall built across it, about three feet thick ; it is four feet 

 high, and six feet wide. The sides, roof, and floor of this cavern are 

 comparatively smooth, and are covered with stalagmites of a light 

 yellowish colour, which are not calcareous. 



It had been reported that this cave was frequented by a peculiar 

 kind of swallow, which never ventured into the light of day. Mr. 

 Peale, who was one of the party that visited it, found swallows in 

 abundance, which made a bat-like noise, or rather one having a resem- 

 blance to the rattling of pebbles. So far, however, from their being 

 a peculiar species, as they had been represented, they were the 

 common species of the islands, and instead of shunning the light of 

 day, they were continually passing in and out of the cavern, which 

 was merely a place selected by them for breeding. On the ledges 

 of the sides and roof their nests were found composed of pieces of 

 moss glued together. The eggs were white, and of a large size in 

 proportion to the bird, and no more than one was found in each nest. 



In traversing the island of Upolu, many deep gorges were seen, in 

 which there were waterfalls. One of these cascades was measured, 

 and found to be seven hundred and fifty feet in height, so that the 

 whole of the water was dissipated in spray before it reached the 

 bottom. These glens are wild in the extreme, and beautiful, from 

 the great variety and peculiar character of the foliage with which 

 they are clothed. 



The south side of Upolu, like that of Tahiti, is much more luxu- 

 riant than the northern, which is owing to a like cause, namely, that 

 it receives more moisture from the prevailing winds. 



The wild orange grows every where in great abundance, and in 

 some places the road was literally strewed with the fruit, which here 

 equals the cultivated variety in size. 



In the different jaunts across the island, many of the "Devil's" or 

 unconverted towns were visited, where our parties were always 

 treated with great hospitality. At the town of Suisinga the chief 

 who entertained our party was a priest of the Gimblet religion. 

 This new faith has made some progress among these islands, and has 

 the following singular origin : 



