1Q4 LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 



by three north and south. The reef extends six miles from the island, 

 in an east-northeast direction ; in it there are two openings, one on 

 the southeast side, and one opposite to the town on the south or 

 southwest side. Into the latter a vessel of one or two hundred tons 

 may enter ; but after getting in, the space is very confined, and it 

 would be necessary to moor head and stern. 



This island is the principal location of the people I have hereto- 

 fore described, under the name of Levukians, as the first settlers of 

 Ambau. They live in a village which is denominated Levuka, and 

 have the character, at Lakemba, of being a wandering, faithless tribe, 

 addicted, occasionally, to piracy. This is not considered the case 

 elsewhere, for the Feejee men, in general, look upon them as a useful 

 class, and through them they carry on the trade between the dif- 

 ferent islands. It is not surprising that they should bear a bad 

 name anion"- the Tonga men, for I heard that thev were the means 

 of checking the depredations of those of that race who now hold pos- 

 session of the island of Lakemba, and exert a great influence on the 

 southeast islands of this group, which they find essential for their 

 purposes of obtaining war-canoes. 



Lakemba was found, like the rest of this group, to be of volcanic 

 formation. The soil is similar to that of Vanua, composed of a dark 

 red loam. The island, in point of fertility, will compare with any of 

 the others, and exceeds all those of the southeast in size and produc- 

 tiveness. It has rich valleys, or rather ravines, gradually rising and 

 contracting until they reach the hills. Extensive groves of cocoa- 

 nuts cover its shores and low lands, and add much to its beauty. 



The Porpoise, having taken Tubou Totai on board, proceeded to 

 the island of Naiau. This is a high island, and rises in perpendicular 

 cliffs from the sea to the height of two hundred and seventy-five feet. 

 It has only a small reef attached to it on one side, the other side being 

 free. It offers no facilities for the visit of vessels. Naiau contains 

 a population of two hundred inhabitants, who are perched upon inac- 

 cessible peaks, in order to protect themselves from depredations. 



Tabutha is thirty miles north of Lakemba. It has a remarkable 

 peak, which rises on its northwest end, and is the Cap Island of the 

 charts. A reef surrounds it, in which there are two boat-entrances 

 on the southwest and northwest sides. There are on it about ninety 

 inhabitants : it has no water except from wells. Tubou Totai 

 says that this island belongs to him, he having received it as a pre- 

 sent from the king of Lakemba. There are two small reefs, called 



