FEEJEE GROUP. 359 



A species of pine, called by the natives dackui, resembling the 

 Kaurie pine of New Zealand, is found on several of the islands, 

 more particularly on Vitilevu and Kantavu. One of these was seen 

 growing near Levuka, that measured five feet in diameter. 



The yase, or sandalwood, is now almost entirely destroyed, but our 

 botanists succeeded in getting a few small specimens in the neigh- 

 bourhood of Sandalwood Bay. The natives grate it on coral, the 

 mushroom (Fungia), and use it for scenting their oil. 



The soil of the islands consists of a deep loam, of a yellowish colour, 

 with a large portion of decayed vegetable matter. Combined as this 

 is with a fine climate, and abundance of water, it is no wonder that 

 all the native plants, as well as those introduced, should grow with 

 luxuriance, and be prolific. To give a better idea of the rapidity of 

 the vegetation, Mr. Brackenridge, our horticulturist, gave me the 

 following memoranda of the garden which he planted. 



Turnips, radish, and mustard seed, after being sown twenty-four 

 hours, the cotyledon leaves were above the surface. Melons, cucum- 

 bers, and pumpkins, sprung up in three days ; beans and peas made 

 their appearance in four. In four weeks from the time of planting, 

 radishes and lettuce were fit for use, and in five weeks, marrowfat 

 peas. Several kinds of beets, carrots, leeks, three kinds of pole 

 with Windsor and long-pod beans, three sorts of peas, five varieties 

 of gourds, two of pumpkins, two of cucumbers, three varieties of 

 musk and water-melons, two kinds of turnips, parsley, cabbage, 

 cresses, several kinds of small salad, a few tomatoes, together with 

 the Peruvian cherimoyer and Tahiti orange, were vegetating toge- 

 ther, and I trust will establish themselves in these islands for the 

 benefit not only of the natives, but of our navigators who may here- 

 after visit these parts for refreshments. The garden was left under 

 the charge of David Whippy, a native of New Hampshire, of indus- 

 trious habits, who I trust will not fail to take the best means to pre- 

 serve and perpetuate what will no doubt prove a great blessing to the 

 future population of this group. 



The climate of the Feejee Islands is well adapted to all the various 

 tribes of tropical plants, and to not a few of those of the temperate 

 zone; for many of the islands are of a mountainous character, and 

 numerous localities present themselves adapted to the growth of the 

 latter. 



These islands were once covered with vegetation from the coral 

 reefs to the top of their highest peaks, but below the elevation of one 



