224 MBUA BAY AND MUTHUATA. 
FEEJEE WOMAN CARRYING WATER. 
The soil of the islands around Naloa Bay is gravelly and barren; 
it is covered with a growth of small trees and bushes, among which 
Casuarina was most abundant. The scenery was quite pretty: the 
deep green of the mangroves at the beach rising gradually into the 
_ distant peaks, with here and there some lofty blocks of basalt, joined 
with and toned down by a tropical sky, give an impression little in 
accordance with the savage habits of these horrid cannibals. Some 
of our gentlemen were struck with the number of the singing-birds, 
and the variety of their notes, some of which resembled those of the 
songsters of our own country. 
At the village of Vatea was the largest collection of canoes they 
had seen in the group, and the natives being fishermen, take particular 
pride in them. 
Here the officers saw the operation of making the pottery, which is 
described in another place. Several women were also seen preparing 
mandrai, of unripe bananas, and packing it, after stripping off the 
rind, in large unbaked earthen jars. These are afterwards buried, in 
a spot carefully marked, and secured by a large stone, to provide for 
an anticipated scarcity. 
Having finished wooding and watering, Captain Hudson prepared 
for his departure for Muthuata. The evening before he sailed, the 
chiefs and natives gathered on board the Peacock, where, after being 
remunerated for their labour, they performed several dances similar to 
