FEEJEE GROUP. 



341 



these islands is more remote than that of the other groups of Poly- 

 nesia. Volcanic conglomerate, tufa, and compact and scoriaceous 

 basalts are found, of every texture and colour, and in all states of 

 decomposition. When decomposed, they afford a rich soil, which, 

 clothed with a luxuriant foliage, covers the islands to their very tops, 

 clinging to every point where it is possible for a plant to take root. 

 This rich vegetation gives a degree of beauty to the aspect of the 

 whole group, that is scarcely surpassed in any part of the world. 



In relation to the population of these islands, it was found difficult 

 to obtain information that could be implicitly relied upon, and we had 

 reason to suspect that the white residents rather overrated the number 

 of inhabitants. There is, however, one circumstance, which renders 

 it more easy to obtain satisfactory information in relation to the 

 amount of population in this group, than in almost any of the others, 

 namely, the hostile feelings which exist between the different tribes. 

 This renders it impossible for the inhabitants of another district to 

 flock to that where ships are lying ; and there is no chance of count- 

 ing the same persons a second time, as we inferred it was probable 

 had been the case elsewhere, particularly at Tahiti. 



The number of natives at Levuka during our stay seldom varied 

 more than could be accounted for by visits from the neighbouring 

 towns. I adopted the plan of counting the inhabitants wherever I had 

 an opportunity, in order to check the estimate given me by others. 

 The following account of the numbers in the several districts, &c, I 

 believe to be as correct as it is possible to arrive at. 



The islands of Ovolau and Kantavu are the most thickly peopled. 

 The whole group contains about 130,000 inhabitants, who are divided 

 as follows : 





Ambau . 



. 



3,000 





Viwa 



.... 



1,000 





Rewa 



.... 



5,000 





Verata . 



. 



1,000 





Naitasiri 



. 



8,000 





South side, 



from Rewa to Ra 



5,000 





North shor 



e, from Verata to Navula 



12,000 





Interior . 



. 



5,000 





Mbua 



. 



6,000 





Buia 



.... 



3,000 





Nandi . 



. 



8,000 





Savu-savu 



• • • • 



5,000 





62,000 



L. III. 





86 





