LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 197 
hand may be put into a scalding spring, and the other in water of the 
temperature of 75°. That of the spring stands at 200° to 210°. The 
waters join below, and the united streams stand at 145°, which dimi- 
nish in temperature until they enter the sea. In the lower part of the 
bed of the united stream, excavations have been made, where the 
natives bathe. The rock in the neighbourhood is compact coral and 
volcanic breccia, although it is no where to be seen exposed within a 
third of a mile of the spring. The ground about the spring is a deep 
brown and black mould, covered with coarse native grass, (a species 
of Scirpus,) which is thickly matted. There is no smell of sulphur, 
except when the head is brought as close as possible to the water; but 
it has a strong saline taste. No gas appeared to be disengaged. The 
basin is in a mixture of blue and brown clay, and little grass grows 
in it. 
These springs are used by the natives to boil their food, which is 
done by putting the taro or yams into the spring, and covering them 
up with leaves and grass. Although the water scarcely had any 
appearance of boiling before, rapid ebullition ensues. It gurgles up 
R2 
