the most abundant of all the trees,
and grows to a very large size; the cocoa-nut, the wild orange, and the
lime, are all to be found. Bamboos, wild sugar-cane, wild nutmeg,
besides many others, only require cultivation. Caoutchouc, gum arabic,
castor beans, ginger, orris root, and coffee, will in time be added to
these productions. Lemons and sweet oranges have already been planted,
and promise a large product.

Swine are abundant and cattle rapidly increasing. Poultry of all kinds
is very plentiful, and fish are taken in abundance.

The beneficent effects of missionary labours are very evident amongst
the Samoans; they are not now subject to wars, and for crimes they have
punishment.

Their habits are regular; they rise with the sun, and after a meal,
bathe and oil themselves, and then go to their occupations for the day;
they eat at one o'clock, and again at eight, retiring to rest about
nine. The men do all the hard work, even to cookery. The women are
held in much consideration, and are treated with great kindness and
attention. They take care of the house and children, prepare the food
for cooking, and manufacture the mats, etcetera.

Their houses are carefully constructed, generally occupying eighteen
months in building; the floor is paved with small round stones, and
divisions or separate apartments formed. In some villages, broad walks
and paths are kept in nice order. The females generally wear a kind of
robe, similar to the poncho of the South Americans; and although not
what may be termed pretty, they have some degree of bashfulness, which
renders them interesting in appearance; when young, they are but little
darker than a brunette, or South American Spaniard.

The entire population of the group is estimated at 60,000, of whom more
than one-fourth have embraced Christianity, and it is understood that
more than two-thirds of the population are favouring the progress of the
gospel. Many thousands attend the schools of the missionaries, and the
habit of reading is fast obliterating the original religion and
superstitions of the race.

Of the _Kingsmill Group_, we possess a very sad account; one named
Drummond's Island, which is of coral formation, is about thirty miles
long, and about three-quarters of a mile in width. The island is
covered with cocoa-nut and pandanus trees, but not a patch of grass was
seen. The character of these islanders is of the most savage kind;
their ferocity led to