INTRODUCTION. 
Virt, or Fiji, is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, midway between the Tongan 
Islands and the French Colony of New Caledonia, having, according to Dr. Petermann’s 
calculations, a superficial area equal to that of Wales, or eight times that of the Ionian 
Islands. The exact number of islands and islets comprising it is merely approximately 
known, only a partial hydrographical survey of the whole group having as yet been made ; 
230 would probably be rather below than above the number. Viti Levu, Kadavu, Vanua 
Levu, and Taviuni are of primary, Rabe, Koro, Gau, and Ovalau, of secondary magnitude. 
Situated between latitudes 19° 47’°S. and 15° 47’ S., and longitudes 180° 8’ W. and 
176° 50° E., the climate is tropical, but the heat is moderated, in the winter season by the 
south-east, and in the summer by the north-east trade-wind. 62° Fahr. is the lowest tem- 
perature observed in Lakeba by Mr. Williams, and in Kadavu by Mr. Royce ; but, though the 
mean témperature of the whole group may be stated to be 80° Fahr., the thermometer has 
been known to rise to 121° Fahr. The country is remarkably free from fever, —that curse 
of the Samoan group,—and the only disease Fijians and Europeans have reason to fear is 
dysentery, unknown, if a current belief may be relied upon, before the visits of foreigners 
and the imtroduction of foreign bananas to these shores, and hence often termed by the 
natives “the white man’s disease.” 
The time from October till April is the hottest, that extending over the other months 
the coolest, part of the year. It is during the former when the most rain falls; but the 
dry and rainy seasons do not strictly correspond with this division, nor is the difference 
between the wet and dry very marked. ‘There are occasional showers during the so-called 
dry season in all parts of the group; and in localities like the Straits of Somosomo they 
may even be termed frequent. ‘The fine weather is expected to set in about May. June, 
July, August, September, and October are generally dry, and from their low temperature, 
looked forward to by European settlers, How many inches of rain annually fall has not 
been ascertained ; nor would a gauge kept in a single locality only give a fair approximate 
result of the average amount, since the difference of the meteorological conditions existing 
