POSITION OF THE FIJI ISLANDS -- GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE NATIVES -- THEIR PECULIAR HAIR, AND VARIOUS MODES OF DRESSING IT -- HAIR-DYES -- THE FIJIAN MIRROR -- WIG-MAKING -- THE AMBASSADOR AND HIS MESSAGE -- THE FIJIAN TURBAN -- WATER-PROOF HEADDRESSES -- DRESS OF THE FIJIANS -- THE “MASI,” AND METHOD OF WEARING IT -- EAR-ORNAMENTS -- NECKLACES AND FLOWERS -- TATTOOING AND PAINT -- PATTERNS USED FOR THE FACE -- DRESS OF THE WOMEN -- THE ROUGHNESS OF THE SKIN AND USE OF PAINT -- HAIR-DRESSING -- MAKING MASI AND MODE OF PRODUCING PATTERNS -- INGENIOUS MODE OF STENCILLING -- THE WOMAN’S APRON, OR “LIKU,” AND MODE OF WEARING IT. To describe the inhabitants of all the multitudinous islands of Polynesia would be an agreeable, but impossible task, our space confining us within limits which may not be transgressed. We will therefore pass at once to the large and important group of islands which is popularly known by the name of FIJI. This group of islands lies due north of New Zealand, and to the eastward of New Guinea, so that they are just below the Equator. The collective name of the islands has been variously given, such as Fiji, Beetee, Feegee, Fidge, Fidschi, Vihi, and Viti. Of all these names, the first and the last are correct, the northern portion of the islands being known as Fiji, and the southern as Viti. The reader must remember that these names are pronounced as if written Feegee and Veetee. The inhabitants of Fiji are a fine race of savages, tolerably well formed, and with dark, though not black skin. Like other Papuans, they are remarkable for their thick, bushy hair, which they dress in a singular variety of patterns. As the appearance and costume of savage races are the first points which strike a stranger, we will at once proceed to describe them. The most conspicuous part of a Fijian’s general appearance is his headdress, in the arrangement of which he gives the reins to his fancy, and invents the most extraordinary variations of form and color. Examples of the Fijian headdress will be seen in most of the illustrations. But as it would be tedious to describe them as they occur, I will mention a few of the most prominent varieties. The hair of the Papuan race is always stiff, wiry, and plentiful, and grows to a considerable length; so that it necessarily assumes a bushy form if suffered to grow according to its own will. The Fijian, however, thinks that nature is to be improved by art, and accordingly lavishes all the resources of a somewhat artistic character on his hair. To train the hair into any of the graceful and flowing methods which distinguish those soft-haired races would be utterly impossible for a Fijian. He goes on quite the opposite principle, and, true to real artistic feeling, tries to develop to the utmost those characteristics which rightly belong to him, instead of endeavoring to produce effects which would not be consonant with their surroundings.