158 



PHYSICAL HISTORY OF MAN. 



they were at enmity." The Sinbad-like story of a gigantic bird, was 

 likewise referred to the Asaua islands. 



The Peacock now sailed for some hundreds of miles behind these 

 reefs, along a narrow passage close to the rocky shores of the two 

 main islands ; keeping always, in the leeward portion of the group. 

 The face of the country in this portion, is in great part bare of trees ; 

 and there is less rain than in situations exposed to the southeast 

 trades. We first coasted Viti-levu ; where the villages perched 

 everywhere on the hill-tops, plainly indicated the social condition of 

 the district. 



Our boats landed a few miles from Mba ; but the town was con- 

 cealed by mangroves; it being evidently situated at the mouth of a 

 considerable stream. We saw no natives ; but in consequence of the 

 bad character of the neighbourhood, we did not extend our walks far 

 from the beach. 



On the 1st of June, the boats landed at an islet connected with the 

 main land by a shelf of coral ; over which a party of natives were seen 

 retreating. We remained on shore for some hours, and made consi- 

 derable additions to our botanical collections. 



On the 2d, the boats landed at a detached islet, not far from the 

 town of Rake-rake. At the summit, we found remains of trenches 

 and stone-work, similar to those subsequently seen on the islet 

 near Muthuata. On descending through some open ground, we 

 found ourselves suddenly sinking in marshes ; and it appeared on 

 further examination, that the tract was artificially terraced, and had 

 been once appropriated to the culture of taro. The whole vicinity 

 had been desolated by the Mbau people. Its present inhabitants bore 

 the character of being " extremely civil." Some six or eight of them 

 visited us. 



The boats landed at another detached islet, situated near the usual 

 point of departure from Viti-levu. This islet likewise contained aban- 

 doned plantations ; showing that it had once been inhabited. 



On the 5th, the Peacock crossed over to Vanua-levu, the second 

 principal island; and anchored in Mbua or Sandalwood Bay. During 

 our stay, I visited repeatedly the two fortified villages, situated on the 

 middle stream emptying into the bay. They had strong palisades 

 and low gateways, but the ditch did not appear to be planted with 

 stakes ; as in some Feejee fortifications. 



