THE AUSTRALIAN NATURALIST. 69 
undertaken the passage across this part of the plateau, and one 
who has traversed it can then understand the reason. After 
reaching the western side, we descended a few thousand feet 
over the soapstone into the valley of the Sigatoka, which is the 
main river of the western portion of Viti Levu. The charac- 
teristic appearance of this country, with its level-bedded tuffs, 
would enable one, on waking in the morning, to readily see in 
what part of Viti Levu he really was. At the native town of 
Namoli specimens of fresh-water fish were obtained, the com- 
monest forms being Globius ¢rassilabris, Hleotris guentheri and 
Sicydium toeniurum. After leaving Namoli, and traversing 
about ten miles of grassy country, we reached Tawaleka, 
which is situated about two miles from Natuatuacoco, or Fort 
Carnarvon. Behind Tawaleka is a rise, on top of which occur 
fossil gastropods and foraminifera. This marks one of the 
very few fossiliferous inland areas. In making the ascent of 
this elevation one has to cut his way through a growth of reeds 
and grasses. There are few species of native reeds and 
grasses, but the species which do occur cover great areas, 
being particularly flourishing in spots which were once under 
cultivation. 
Another trip was made to Nadaravatu, in a north-westerly 
direction. Near this place is Mt. Tamanivi, or Mt. Victoria— 
a high, basaltic peak. On the top of this peak was found a 
myrtle, which is said to be the sole member of its kind now 
present in the island. In the forest in this region are abundant 
examples of the ‘“‘dakua,” or Dammara vitiensis, which in places 
reaches a height of 100 feet. The Fijians are fond of setting a 
light to the pitch of this tree, which malpractice constitutes 
one of the few causes of imprisonment. 
Among other trees is the Polynesian chestnut (Inocarpus 
edulis). This interesting tree is rather larger than an average- 
sized English elm, frequently growing to a height of 80 feet, 
and in the outline of its head and habit it is not unlike that 
tree. Its trunk is a curiosity. Itis deeply fluted, or, rather 
buttressed, all round,,and a section of it would not be unlike a 
cart wheel, minus the felloes; the buttresses, like the spokes, 
spring from a central part resembling the nave. The diameter 
between the extremities will range up to 20 feet; that of the 
central part (nave) perhaps a foot. Also occurring among 
members of the botanical kingdom are large fig trees (Ficus), 
known as baka. 
neighbourhood of Suva itself were seen specimens of the 
interesting climbing fish (Periophthalmus), 
