In connection with roof thatching, a characteristic joke is recorded of the Mbau people. The short missile club is called _ula_, and the act of hurling it is called _ulaula_. The latter word, however, also signifies house thatching. By way of a practical joke, the people of Mbau sent to those of Tailevu, asking them to come and _ulaula_. The latter, taking the word in its ordinary sense, accepted the invitation, and came, expecting the usual scene of merriment, when to their surprise, they were saluted by a volley of _ulas_ hurled at them by their entertainers. The furniture of a Fijian house is simple. At one end is a raised dais, on which the master of the house sleeps by night and reclines by day. It is covered with mats, and over it are hung the sheets of thin masi which are used as mosquito curtains. On this dais are generally one or two pillows. These implements are not unlike those of the Kaffirs, being nothing more than cylindrical bars of wood supported on legs at either end. Some of them are from four to five feet in length. This form of pillow is used on account of the mop-like headdress of the natives, which would be pressed out of all shape were it laid on an ordinary pillow. On the hearth are several large earthenware cooking pots, oval in shape, and each set on three stones. As the quantity of food in them diminishes, they are gradually tilted, so that when they contain but very little food they lie quite on their sides. Near the hearth lies the thick concave board on which bread is kneaded, and close to the board are the smooth round stones by which the operation of kneading is conducted. The small hand nets used for fishing are kept near the fire, together with the knives and other implements used in preparing food. Several earthen water jars are always placed near the fire. They may be distinguished by their glazed surfaces, and are placed carefully on a thick bed of grass. A few bamboo vessels containing salt and fresh water, are generally placed near the larger jars. Round the foot of the wall are ranged a series of bowls and jars, which contain the arrowroot and similar articles of food. CHAPTER XCVII. FIJI--_Continued_. RELIGION AND FUNERAL RITES. THE GODS AND THEIR ABODES -- VISIT OF THE LAND CRAB -- FIJIAN PRIESTS AND THEIR INSIGNIA -- CONSULTING THE DEITY -- VARIOUS MODES OF DIVINATION -- THE DIFFICULT PASSAGE TO HEAVEN -- NATIVE TEMPLES, THEIR STRUCTURE AND USES -- FEASTS GIVEN TO THE GODS -- SACRED STONES -- MURDER OF THE AGED AND SICK -- A STRANGE MARK OF AFFECTION -- PROVIDING THE DEAD WITH ATTENDANTS -- BURIAL OF A LIVING KING -- A TERRIBLE SCENE -- VOYAGE TO THE CEMETERY, AND THE FUNERAL -- SIMILARITY BETWEEN THE CUSTOMS OF FIJI AND INDIA -- MODE OF MOURNING -- THE SUCCESSIVE RITES AFTER A FUNERAL -- THE CUSTOM OF LOLOKU -- TOMB OF A CHIEF’S WIFE.