VEGETATION IN FIJI.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1183, 27 May 1884, Page 3

VEGETATION IN FIJI.

A local correspondent of a Melbourne weekly journal, writing of the climate of the Fijis, says :—"The soil of the islands is chiefly composed of a light friable deposit, formed by the rapid decay of luxuriant tropical Tegetation during the lapse ot centuries. Every wind that blows upon these isleU comes chargsd with moisture from the ocean, which the loose earth rtadily absorbs, and under the influence of a torrid sun, again as readily exhales. This it is this singular humidity of the atmosphere and continuous process of exhalation —whieh during the hot months so closely assimilates the conditions of existence in Fiji to those of life in a vapour balb. Bui the effect on vegetation is little le»s than marvellous. The seed falls into a hot-houae bed, naturally prepared for it. The forcing process is a perpetual one. Forsst and fruit trees, soma of them, like the bread fruit, having no tap root, and all with but the slightest hold on the friable soil, shoot up with surprising rapidity, and in a few years attaiß to the proportions of maturity. Thick undergrowth springs up around in rank luxuriance. Wild vines', creepers, and parasitical plants make their way to sun 'and light, climbing and twining from branch to branch, depending in graceful festoons from the topmast boughs they have interlaced together, aud covering the whole forest with a canopy of richest verdure through which even the strong noonday sun is unable to penetrate.'