V I T I GROUP. 



199 



towns of the same name, the natives occupying them as places of 

 safety. The land of Viti Levu is low for some distance from the 

 shore, exceedingly fertile, and well cultivated : from it the inhabitants 

 of these towns procure their subsistence. 



NAINGANI. 



The Island of Naingani is small but high, one mile in length and 

 three-fourths of a mile wide, with an irregular coast-line ; from the 

 southeast side a coral reef projects to the southeast 2 miles, at which 

 distance it comes to a well-rounded point. This coral reef skirts the 

 shore on the east side ; on it are two small islets. The north and west 

 sides are destitute of coral. The height of the island is 420 feet ; it 

 rises in two regular peaks ; is inhabited by a few natives, who are 

 subject to the king of Ambau, and frequently interrupted in their oc- 

 cupations and despoiled of all by the rapacious chiefs under his orders. 

 Naingani lies but 2 miles north of the Mana Shoals, before described ; 

 between its reef and the shoals there is a passage a mile wide, but I 

 would advise vessels to pass around to the north of Naingani, where the 

 sea is quite clear. Naingani is northwest of Ovolau 6 miles, and the 

 same distance to the east-northeast of the Island of Navumbalavu or 

 the northeastern point of Viti Levu. In leaving Ovolau by its north 

 channel, the course would be, when the Island of Naingani opens, to 

 steer for it, and after passing the Lada Reef Shoals, then to keep it 

 open on the port bow, which will lead to the Island of Vitimira, and 

 thus into the Sea of Viti. The tides flow on this course, and will 

 afford assistance or retard the progress as they may claim the atten- 

 tion of the navigator. 



WAKAIA. 



Wakaia lies to the northwest of Ambatiki 11 miles, and 10 miles 

 east of Ovolau, forming the eastern side of the Straits of Ovolau. 

 Wakaia is high and volcanic, 4 miles long, by 1* wide ; it has several 

 peaks, and precipices formed by escarpments of their sides ; its whole 

 outline is picturesque. Its north end is the widest ; tapering to a 

 point at the south ; the sea-reef on the west side becomes a shore- 

 reef the whole length of the island. 



