village, where we had a splendid view. We counted fourteen
villages on the ridges in the Meroka basin and on the other side of the
river we had crossed, and as many more known as Havele. I believe it
would be much easier to get here from Eikiri than from Sogeri. The
natives of Oriramamo, the highest village, told us they went from there
to Eikiri in one day.

The people of Meroka are very mixed, some very dark, others very light.
Some of the women had quite an Eastern Polynesian look; some of the
children were well-formed, and really pretty. A few men had
light-coloured whiskers; curly heads abounded, although a number had
straight hair. They say they are not Koiari. The Koiari comprises
Munikahila, Eikiri, Sogeri, Taburi, Makapili Pakari; and Eikiri is N.W.
from Oriramamo; Mount Bellamy is W.N.W. A high round mountain, I have
named Ben Cruachan, east; Mount Nisbet, W.S.W. The high rock on the
easterly side of Mount Nisbet is just over the house where we slept, and
will be known in future as the Clachan. They say there are five kinds of
wild animals on the mountains at the back, and but for these they could
easily cross to Kupele. The Jakoni, Gomina, and Agila are very large and
fierce. The Papara and Gadana are small, but fierce. We were eating
biscuits, and they begged for a very small piece each, to keep as a charm
to help them catch pigs. Hairs from the beard are in great demand as
charms. Having seen all we wanted, and not being able to persuade the
natives to accompany us up to the mountain to see the wild animals, I
decided to return to Orofedabe; so we returned to the village, gave the
taro we bought to the people, paid our attendants and for the house where
our things were, and away we went. Our friends were glad to see us, and
rejoiced greatly when the taboo was taken off the salt, and taro was
bought. We are having rain and thunderstorms every afternoon.

27_th_.--Maka poised a stick twelve feet long on his finger; the natives
tried it and failed; again Maka did it, and all who were looking on came
to the conclusion it was very easy for him to do, as a spirit held it for
him. In each place we have been, when at prayers, all the natives are
most respectful, keeping perfect silence and bending their heads. We had
a fine tramp back to-day, and a refreshing bath in the Laroki after it.
We have paid our carriers, and they are rejoicing greatly. We were glad
to find our old friend and his wife w