354 FEEJEE GROUP. 



where it is manufactured into soap, and again sent to Polynesia to be 

 consumed. The wood of the cocoa-nut is only used for fortifying 

 their towns, and as sills for their houses. 



The ivi of the natives, (Inocarpus edulis,) otherwise called the 

 Tahiti chestnut, produces a large nut that is eaten by them, and is 

 the principal food of the mountaineers. This they store away in 

 pits, in the same manner as the bread-fruit. 



The papaw apple, (Carica papaya,) called walete, is in great 

 abundance, but is not prized by the natives. 



Shaddocks were in great abundance. Both the red and white 

 kinds are indigenous. 



The same bitter orange was found here as at the Samoan Group. 

 The natives of Feejee call it moli-tiri. The trees grow to the height 

 of forty feet. They give the name of moli ni papalangi, or the 

 white man's orange, to the lemon and sweet orange. They were 

 both introduced by Mr. Vanderford, (from Tahiti,) about the year 

 1823. 



Several new native fruits were seen. One of these, called taravou, 

 is about the size of a plum. It grows on a large tree, and has a bitter 

 and acrid taste : the natives are very fond of it. 



The indava is also much esteemed, both by the natives and whites. 

 The fruit is about the size and shape of a hen's egg, with the excep- 

 tion of being flattened at both ends : it has a glutinous, honey-like 

 taste, has a kernel, and grows on a tree about fifty feet high. 



The Malay apple, called kabita, was also found here, though it 

 does not appear to be as plentiful as at Tahiti and the Samoan 

 Group. 



They have also several other fruits, which are only used in times 

 of scarcity, and when hard pressed by famine. 



The new species of tomato, (Solanum,) of which mention has 

 already been made, may be almost classed with the fruits : it is cul- 

 tivated by the natives on account of its fruit, which is round, smooth, 

 and about the size of a large peach ; when ripe, its colour is yellow ; 

 its taste was by some thought to have a strawberry flavour. We 

 have made every endeavour to introduce the plant into the United 

 States, by sending home seeds, some few of which have fallen into good 

 hands, and been taken care of; but I regretted to find the greatest 

 part had been distributed to those who had not taken any care in its 

 cultivation. Fruit from these seeds has, however, been produced in 

 Philadelphia. The plant will, no doubt succeed in the southern 



