136 FEJEE ISLANDS. 



proportioned. The color of his skin was nearly black, and he 

 was entirely naked, except about the loins and head. The 

 latter was enveloped in rolls of very thin white tapa, which, I 

 was told, none but the chiefs were allowed to wear. He has a 

 good-natured face, and offered to procure provisions for us, or 

 do anything else in his power. He remained on board 

 upwards of an hour, and received a number of presents from 

 the officers ; among others, a whale's tooth, than which nothing 

 can be more valuable in the estimation of a Fejeean. Two 

 of these will buy a boat-load of yams and a dozen p!gs, or a 

 thousand cocoa-nuts. 



We learned from Whippy that there were altogether five 

 white men residing in Levuka Town, and that they were much 

 feared and respected by the natives, on account of their supe- 

 rior knowledge. He also mentioned their being married to 

 Fejee women, and having large families of children. 



At an early hour on the 9th, Captain Wilkes, with a num- 

 ber of the officers from this ship and the " Peacock," set out 

 on an excursion to the heights in the interior of the island. 

 On this day we also sent on shore all the scientific instruments. 

 About sunset Captain Wilkes and party returned. They 

 succeeded in reaching the summit of Andulong, the highest 

 mountain in the island, and made many interesting discoveries 

 in the botany of the country. 



The following day Mr. B. and myself visited the shore. 

 We landed on the beach abreast of the town, where we found 

 great numbers of men, women and children assembled. A 

 walk of but a few yards brought us to the Spirit-house, or 

 " Booree," which we were invited to enter by the Chief 

 Levuka, and his attendants, who were sitting in it at the same 

 time. Each town or village has one of these buildings. 

 This one stands on the top of a mount, which has been raised 



