As regards the general foliage, it is almost identical with that of Ceylon, though perhaps scarcely so rich. This, however, varies much on the different isles, and Ovalau is more noted for cliffs than for rich foliage. We shall see that in glory when we go to Taviuni. Here the only palm-trees are cocoa-nuts very much battered with the wind; and I miss the beautiful _kittool_ and several other palms which I loved in Ceylon. But I recognise various old friends, especially the large croton-tree, with silvery leaves and tufts of white blossom. Here it is known as the candle-nut, and reigns as monarch over an immense family of crotons of every shade of eccentricity both of form and colour. But the most gorgeous varieties are imported from isles nearer the equator. There are several splendid trees which are quite new to me, being peculiar to the South Seas. Such are the _ivi_[10] (pronounced _eevie_), or Tahitian chestnut, and the _ndelo_,[11] with large glossy leaves like the india-rubber tree. Both these are valuable as affording cool, deep shade. There is also the _vutu_,[12] with its blossoms like tufts of silk fringe; the _tavola_,[13] or native almond-tree; and the _ndawa_, whose young leaves are bright crimson, and give a gleam of colour to the general expanse of green. Then there is the _mbaka_, which grows like the sacred banyan of India, beginning its life as a humble parasite, and in old age presenting an intricate network of white stems, pillars, and roots. It bears a very small leaf. The commonest scrub-foliage is a hybiscus, with bluish-grey leaf, and pale primrose-coloured blossom, with a dark claret heart: it is a pretty flower on the tree, but dies when gathered. The inner bark yields a fibre which is greatly valued by the natives, and which they split and die yellow, red, or black, and make fringe kilts, to be worn either as sole raiment or over the _sulu_. It is also used by the fisher-folk for making their nets, especially the turtle-nets; but several other fibres are used for this purpose. On this island there really is no level ground at all; and you would marvel where the people contrive to raise their crops, for the steep hills rise from the sea-beach. But if you were to follow the course of the picturesque streamlets which find their way down dark-wooded ravines, you would find that every available corner is laid out in tiny terraced fields, or rather miniature swamps, in which are cultivated the yams, _taros_, and _kumalas_ (sweet potatoes), which are the staple of native food. In taste they somewhat resemble coarse potatoes, especially the yams, which sometimes attain a gigantic size—from one to ten feet in length—and are said sometimes to weigh 100 lb. In some districts there are two yam crops in a year.