CUSTOMS OF THE FEEJEE GROUP. 77 
death, hospitable entertainment and reception in their houses is almost 
certain, and while in them, perfect security may be relied on. The 
same native who within a few yards of his house would murder a 
coming or departing guest for sake of a knife or a hatchet, will defend 
him at the risk of his own life as soon as he has passed his threshold. 
The people of the Feejee Group, are divided into a number of tribes, 
independent and often hostile to each other. In each tribe great and 
marked distinctions of rank exist. The classes which are readily 
distinguished are as follows: 1. kings; 2. chiefs; 3. warriors; 4. land- 
holders (matanivanua); 5. slaves (kai-si). The last have nominally 
little influence ; but in this group, as in other countries, the mere force 
of numbers is sufficient to counterbalance or overcome the force of the 
prescriptive rights of the higher and less numerous classes. This has 
been the case at Ambau, where the people at no distant period rose 
against and drove out their kings. 
Among the most singular of the Feejee customs, and of whose origin 
it is difficult to form a rational opinion, is that which gives certain 
rights to a member of another tribe, who is called Vasu (nephew). To 
give an idea of the character of this right, and the manner in which it 
is exercised, I shall cite the case of Tanoa. He, although the most 
powerful chief in the group, feels compelled to comply with, and ac- 
knowledges Thokanauto (better known to foreigners as Mr. Phillips) 
as Vasu-togai of Ambau, who has in consequence the right of sending 
thither for any thing he may want, and even from Tanoa himself. 
On Tanoa’s first visit to me, among other presents, I gave him one of 
Hall’s patent rifles. This Thokanauto heard of, and determined to 
have it, and Tanoa had no other mode of preserving it than by send- 
ing it away from Ambau. When Rivaletta, Tanoa’s youngest son, 
visited me one day at the observatory, he had the rifle with him, and 
told me that his father had put it into his hands, in order that it might 
not be demanded. 
Afterwards, when Thokanauto himself paid me a visit, he had in his 
possession one of the watches that had been given to Seru, and told 
me openly that he would have the musket also. While at Levuka, he 
appropriated to himself a canoe and-its contents, leaving the owner to 
find his way back to Ambau as he could. The latter made no com- 
plaint, and seemed to consider the act as one of course. 
When the Vasu-togai or Vasu-levu of a town or district visits it, he 
is received with honours even greater than those paid to the chief who 
rules over it. All bow in obedience to his will, and he is received 
with clapping of hands and the salutation, “Osa vi naka lako mai 
G2 
