is traditionally reported that this canal was originally constructed for military purposes. Looking at the primitive means which these natives had for the accomplishment of such an undertaking, viz., staves to loosen the earth, their hands for shovels, and baskets in lieu of barrows and carts, this channel must be looked upon as a masterpiece of barbaric engineering and patient toil. It seems, in fact, to be a reminiscence of the civilisation of a long bygone time.

The Rewa receives the waters of the Wai Manu at Navuso, about 12 miles from its mouth, and this tributary is navigable for about 10 miles. It takes its rise in the neighbourhood of Mamosi, and flows through a thickly-populated district. Thus the inland navigation by means of these two streams is equal to about 100 miles.

Whilst I am on this subject I cannot do better than quote a description of Rewa scenery, given by Mr. Macdonald some years ago:

The scenery is very beautiful on account of the great diversity of the surface and richness of the forests. The distant mountains peeped now and again between the slopes of the hills, or when we gained an elevation, stood up boldly against the horizon. From an elevated spot the surrounding country presented the most charming aspect, enlivened by a narrow strip of the sea, with the islands of Ovalau, Wakaya, Mbatiki, Nairai, and Nyau spread upon its bosom. The forests in the district are exceedingly dense, and stored with valuable timber. The sedimentary rocks, composing the heights of Koroi, abound in foraminifera. Fossil casts of animal and vegetable structures were everywhere to be seen, so casehardened apparently by a superficial layer of oxide of iron, that their forms stand out in bold relief on the large slabs of rock. The whole district is full of interest to the geologist,

who may examine the layers of an ancient marine bed now elevated about 400 feet above the level of the sea; and abutting against mountain masses of breccia and conglomerate, consisting of fragments of close-grained primary lavas, cemented together by minute detritus of the same materials.

‘At Navuso, the junction of the Wai Manu, the banks of the Rewa exhibit a rich ferruginous sandy basis, with a fine alluvial surface 4 to 5 feet in depth. The river runs at first nearly due north from Navuso to Kasavu, a distance of about 3 miles; then winds suddenly westward, Bau lying to the northeast. The banks on the right hand then passed rather abruptly into rude hilly country. Continuing our course from Navuso, we noticed a few beautiful Niusawa trees (a species of areca) growing on the point opposite Nakandi, and every reach onwards from this exhibited more loveliness and picturesque effect. Naitasiri opened when we rounded a richlywooded point of the river, called Wai-ni-Kumi, literally 'Water of the Beard.' A superstition connected with it exists among the people, that beardless boys may expedite the growth of their beard by bathing the chin in the water dripping from the rocks. The latter were of a sedimentary formation, presenting a nearly vertical face, over which a small stream of water was rushing down. This stream might possibly then be much augmented after heavy rains; but it is the only approach to a waterfall occurring in the district. Rich foliage, embowered with creeping plants, beauteous trees, ferns, and Niu Sawa trees everywhere met the eye. All the intervening spaces, but more especially the immediate banks of the river, are covered with tall grass and humbler herbage. The river gradually narrows from Wai-ni-Kumi towards Naitasiri, but widens out again at the latter place, the left bank in particular rising to a considerable height.'

After following the course of the river for about 10 miles through the heart of the country in a N.N.W. direction, Mr. Macdonald proceeds:

'Here the vegetation was more beautiful than anything it is possible to conceive. There is a particularly remarkable species of flagilaria, with a stem of about 4 inches in circumference, scaling the tallest trees by means of its prehensile leaves. Having left this place, we proceeded up the river to Vakandua, a rather small but well-inhabited town, most beautifully situated on elevated land, and surrounded by river and forest scenery. Proceeding up the river, past the town of Nondo-Yavu-na-ta-Thaki, the scenery is most charmingly mountainous, with occasional rapids and shallows. Then Na-Seivau, famous for its hot springs, which form splendid natural baths, is reached, and the voyage is continued as far as Namosi, which lies on the right bank of the Wai Ndnia, in the luxuriant valley of Ono Buleanga, which trends nearly east and west between rugged and lofty mountains. The sublimity of this scenery cannot be faithfully described.'

All round the islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu there are rich tracts of land, waiting the advent of men who will utilise them. I annex a description of an estate on the former island, near Ba, which I wrote when in the group; I fear the concluding remarks are true to this day :

'The estate comprises about 1000 acres, of which 400 acres are rich arable soil, easily worked. The remainder is composed of fine grazing land. The plantation has a sea-frontage and a good anchorage for vessels of 50 tons, and has the additional convenience of easy land carriage, there being a decline from the most inland part of the plantation to the beach. An ever-flowing stream runs through the centre of the land, and could be applied for irrigating purposes during dry seasons

at a very small outlay. There are at present under cultivation about 100 acres, 80 acres of which are now producing sugar-cane of a very superior character, and the remainder is employed in the cultivation of tobacco, tapioca, maize, yams, and sweet potatoes. The sugar industry is at a complete standstill for want of the proper machinery.'

There is no place on earth of which it can be more truthfully said, 'If you tickle it with a hoe, it will laugh with a harvest,' than Fiji. The colony smiles most encouragingly, in spite of past neglect and the comparative poverty of its settlers. What it will do when benefited by some of the hoarded wealth of these islands, Mr. Home, of the Mauritius, has told us. That gentleman is no sanguine dreamer, and an annual export return of ten millions sterling is the only estimate we can anticipate of the Fiji of the future, when her powers of production have been fully developed.

Fiji, now that her tide has turned, has, I firmly believe, an era of unparalleled prosperity opening before her; and though I have no doubt on this subject, I have done my utmost to keep within the limits of hard facts, while with all sincerity I adapt the Glasgow motto to the colony- Let Fiji flourish.'

CHAPTER XXV.

THE SAMOAN OR NAVIGATORS' ISLANDS.

SOME 630 miles to the north-east of Levuka is the Samoan or Navigators' Group of islands, second only in importance to the Fiji Archipelago in the whole of Western Polynesia. Except by occasional war-ships, there is no steam communication between Levuka and Samoa, so one has to content one's self

After following the course of the river for about 10 miles through the heart of the country in a N.N.W. direction, Mr. Macdonald proceeds:

'Here the vegetation was more beautiful than anything it is possible to conceive. There is a There is a particularly remarkable species of flagilaria, with a stem of about 4 inches in circumference, scaling the tallest trees by means of its prehensile leaves. Having left this place, we proceeded up the river to Vakandua, a rather small but well-inhabited town, most beautifully situated on elevated land, and surrounded by river and forest scenery. Proceeding up the river, past the town of Nondo-Yavu-na-ta-Thaki, the scenery is most charmingly mountainous, with occasional rapids and shallows. Then Na-Seivau, famous for its hot springs, which form splendid natural baths, is reached, and the voyage is continued as far as Namosi, which lies on the right bank of the Wai Ndnia, in the luxuriant valley of Ono Buleanga, which trends nearly east and west between rugged and lofty mountains. The sublimity of this scenery cannot be faithfully described.'

All round the islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu there are rich tracts of land, waiting the advent of men who will utilise them. I annex a description of an estate on the former island, near Ba, which I wrote when in the group; I fear the concluding remarks are true to this day :

'The estate comprises about 1000 acres, of which 400 acres are rich arable soil, easily worked. The remainder is composed of fine grazing land. The plantation has a sea-frontage and a good anchorage for vessels of 50 tons, and has the additional convenience of easy land carriage, there being a decline. from the most inland part of the plantation to the beach. An ever-flowing stream runs through the centre of the land, and could be applied for irrigating purposes during dry seasons