V I T I GROUP. 



183 



are each about a mile in circumference, and covered with foliage : which 

 gives them a pretty appearance. In the passage there are no sound- 

 ings, but under the western side of the Island of Leluvia a vessel may 

 anchor in 10 fathoms water, sandy bottom. The mark for sailing 

 through the Moturiki Passage is Rich's Peak, on Viti Levu, which 

 bring to bear due west. Before reaching Leluvia, on the south side, 

 there are some small coral patches ; it is best to avoid these by keep- 

 ing on the north side. The tides run strong through this passage ; the 

 flood flows in, and the ebb out ; the latter continues 8 or 9 hours out 

 of the 12. Anchorage 'may be had under Thangala or Moturiki, by 

 passing through the entrances in the north reef. 



VITI LEVU. 



The Island of Viti Levu is the largest of the Viti Group ; its shape 

 is somewhat of an ellipse, being 100 miles long, by 60 miles wide. 

 The general appearance of the island is broken, and of volcanic forma- 

 tion, rising in many high and needle-shaped peaks, often to the alti- 

 tude of several thousand feet. The highest range lies north-north- 

 east and south-southwest, dividing the island by passing obliquely 

 through it. This range is called the Ulunikoro Mountains. Some of 

 the measurements of its peaks gave an altitude of 5750 feet. From 

 this range there are many spurs, which set off in different directions, 

 in sharp ridges, towards detached peaks, which rise in regular cones ; 

 to these the names of some of the gentlemen comprising the corps of 

 naturalists of the Expedition were given. These, with the extent of 

 broken surface, give the impression that the greater part of the island 

 is entirely unadapted to cultivation, or even for the abode of any 

 number of inhabitants. Like all the islands of any extent situated 

 in the trade-winds, the leeward side is subject to long and exces- 

 sive drought, and has a very different appearance from that of the 

 windward part. Viti Levu on its leeward side enjoys the advan- 

 tage of several harbors, where a plentiful supply of water may be 

 had from the streams which flow from the mountains, — sufficient even 

 for irrigation in places. Its weather side is abundantly supplied with 

 streams, and the Wailevu River enters into the sea at Rewa, after a 

 winding course of some 45 miles from the mountains. Along the banks 

 of this river the most fertile portion of the island is found, and it is 



