194 
CRUISE OF H M.S. CHALLENGER, 
spines of the shaddock-tree ; whilst the dye injected 
into the punctures is obtained chiefly from the 
candle-nut. No reason is given for the adoption of 
this custom beyond its being commanded by God. 
Neglect of this divine commandment is believed to 
be severely punished after death. 
The walk back to the shore, although another 
route was chosen, was just as rough as the one 
taken in the morning. At times we had to climb 
nearly perpendicular rocks, to creep under low 
bowers formed of reeds and brushwood, to wade 
through streams and rivulets, or tramp over 
swampy ground, the whole being very tiring. 
Clothes were torn by brambles, and hands and 
face were cut by sharp-edged leaves of shrubs and 
grasses. 
On reaching the settlement, we found that great 
preparations were in progress for giving us a grand 
Meke Meke at night in honour of our visit. After 
dinner a party was made up, and about eight o’clock 
we landed and were received by the Governor of 
Kandavu and some of his officials. There were about 
two or three hundred of the natives assembled, 
dressed out in their best finery ; their faces hideously 
painted black, their bodies bright with red and blue 
paint, and pretty well besmeared, with cocoa-nut oil. 
The greater part of the men, and women too, wore 
only the sulu, with strips of tapa , or dried banana- 
leaves, dyed in different colours, hung round their 
