98 UPOLU— MANONO — SAVAII. 



the temperature of which was observed to be 72°, while that of the air 

 within the cavern was 76-6°, and that of the open air was 77-4°. 

 These streams of lava are much more frequently seen on the southern 

 than on the northern side of the island ; they are also larger on the 

 former of these sides, where they were in some places four miles in 

 width. 



The path from Vivimanga to Sanga is called the Stone Road, 

 formed in part of blocks of lava. There are also in this neighbour- 

 hood many caves in the streams of lava. The cave at Sanga is the 

 largest of these, and to describe it will convey an idea of those of 

 smaller dimensions. 



The cave at Sanga was dedicated to the god " Moso," who was 

 supposed to reside in it. The entrance was found to be closed by an 

 artificial wall built across it, about three feet thick ; it is four feet 

 high, and six feet wide. The sides, roof, and floor of this cavern are 

 comparatively smooth, and are covered with stalagmites of a light 

 yellowish colour, which are not calcareous. 



It had been reported that this cave was frequented by a peculiar 

 kind of swallow, which never ventured into the light, of day. Mr. 

 Peale, who was one of the party that visited it, found swallows in 

 abundance, which made a bat-like noise, or rather one having a resem- 

 blance to the rattling of pebbles. So far, however, from their being 

 a peculiar species, as they had been represented, they were the com- 

 mon species of the islands, and instead of shunning the light of day, 

 they were continually passing in and out of the cavern, which was 

 merely a place selected by them for breeding. On the ledges of the 

 sides and roof their nests were found, composed of pieces of moss glued 

 together. The eggs were white, and of a large size in proportion to 

 the bird, and no more than one was found in each nest. 



In traversing the island of Upolu, many deep gorges were seen, in 

 which there were waterfalls. One of these cascades was measured, 

 and found to be seven hundred and fifty feet in height, so that the 

 whole of the water was dissipated in spray before it reached the 

 bottom. These glens are wild in the extreme, and beautiful, from the 

 great variety and peculiar character of the foliage with which they 

 are clothed. 



The south side of Upolu, like that of Tahiti, is much more luxuriant 

 than the northern, which is owing to a like cause, namely, that, it 

 receives more moisture from the prevailing winds. 



The wild orange grows every where in great abundance, and in 

 some places the road was literally strewed with the fruit, which here 

 equals the cultivated variety in size. 



