FEEJEE GROUP. 355 



section of the Union. It is supposed to be biennial. There were 

 also two smaller varieties of the same species, which the natives 

 eat, and which are about the size of a small egg. 



Mr. Brackenridge also found a nutmeg (Myristica) on the heights 

 of Ovolau. The fruit of this, when green, is about the size of a 

 pigeon's egg, with a round kernel and a large quantity of mace 

 around it. He describes the kernel as having a greasy taste, and 

 little of that aromatic flavour distinctive of the nutmeg known to us. 

 From a wound in the bark of the tree issued a red acrid juice. We 

 did not learn that the natives make any use of this plant. 



Pumpkins, cucumbers, Cape gooseberry, guava, pine-apples, water- 

 melons, and large red capsicums, are in abundance. 



The chief proportion, however, of the food of the natives is derived 

 from yams (Dioscorea) of which they have five or six varieties. One 

 kind is found growing wild on Ovolau. The season when they begin 

 to plant their yams is pointed out by the blossoming of the Malay 

 apple. This happens about the beginning of August. The old yam 

 is cut into triangular pieces, of which from four to six are obtained 

 from each root, according to its size. Care, however, is taken to 

 notch each root on the top, in order that no mistake may occur in 

 planting. Sometimes entire small roots are planted. One set is put 

 into each of the hills, which are three or four feet apart. The yams 

 are from six to eight months in coming to perfection, and the yam- 

 digging season is in April or May. The crop is an uncertain one, 

 and the product is from one to fifteen roots in each hill. In some 

 places the yam attains a very large size, as in Somu-somu, where I 

 saw some four or five feet in length that were very farinaceous. 

 Around all the koros or towns are houses for storing the supply of 

 yams, in which they keep them well aired and protected from the 

 wet. In all parts of the group that were not at war, we found them 

 in great plenty; indeed, they have already become an article of 

 export, for cargoes of them have been taken to Sydney with profit. 



There is another root called kawai, which resembles the Malay 

 batata. The tuber of this is oblong and of a brownish colour ; the 

 outer skin is hard, and when cooked, peels off like the bark of a 

 birch tree : it is white and farinaceous, of a sweet and agreeable taste, 

 and very prolific. The natives, in lifting the large tubers, usually 

 allow the smaller ones to remain for the succeeding crop. Our horti- 

 culturist was of opinion it would be desirable to introduce this root 

 into our country, which any vessel coming direct from the Feejees 



