then there is the Loatau, out-rigger, dug-out canoe, capable of carrying five or six people; and, lastly, the Paopao, a small dug-out canoe for one person.

RELIGION.

The natives are all professed Christians. Christianity was first introduced into Samoa in August, 1830, by the Rev. J. Williams, who landed a number of native teachers from Tahiti. A few years afterwards (about 1835) five English missionaries, belonging to the London Missionary Society, landed on the islands, and from that time to the present several Congregational missionaries have been constantly resident on the group. In addition to these, there is a Roman Catholic Bishop resident at Apia, and a number of Catholic priests in various parts of the islands. The natives, for many years past, have annually contributed considerable sums towards the support of the mission establishments.

These islands, in their varied productiveness and their great capabilities for immense agricultural returns, if put under a proper system of cultivation, with the habits and manners of the inhabitants, are a fair type of the most of the groups of the Pacific. At the present day they are living proofs of the incalculable benefits that may arise from the gradual American protectorate, with its modern methods and appliances, spreading over these regions.

METEOROLOGICAL.

Extract from the Meteorological Register kept at the British Consulate at Apia, in the Navigator

Islands, which may be accepted as about the temperature of all of the tropical islands of the Pacific.

North of the New Hebrides we come to the Banks group, named after Sir Joseph Banks, scientist and naturalist, who accompanied Captain Cook in his voyage to the Society Islands in 1768.

"Vanua Lava, the largest of the group, is fifteen miles in length north and south, and is a remarkable looking island, with several high, rounded mountains, the highest, to the northwest, being some 2,800 feet above the sea. In the Suutamiti Mountain are several hot springs, always steaming, whilst a stream impregnated with sulphur runs down to the sea on the northwest coast, and a similar one falls into Port Patterson

on the Eastern side. There are two waterfalls on the western side-one single and the other double. The population of Vanua Lava is about 1,500; the natives were quiet and friendly."

This island, with Santa Maria, Mota, Valua, Arau and Ureparapara, with some smaller islets dotting the sea, make up the group. The inhabitants are quite friendly with strangers, although very quarrelsome among themselves. This may be attributed to their desire to trade for the curiosities (to them) in the possession of the whites. Anything, from a small piece of hoop-iron to a chopping-axe, is eagerly bartered for.

The weapons of the natives are bows and poisoned arrows, war-clubs and spears, which they handle with the greatest dexterity. The products are fruit, sugar-cane, taro, potatoes and yams.

SANTA CRUZ ISLANDS.

Still pursuing our northerly course, we arrive at Santa Cruz Islands, composed of seven larger ones, Volcano, Vuerta, Santa Cruz, Edgecombe, Ouvry and Lord Howe, with several smaller ones; Vanikoro is made interesting in a historical way, from having been the scene of the wreck of the two vessels under command of Admiral de la Perouse, the great French voyager. This occurred in 1788, and remained an uncertainty for many years, causing much uneasiness in his native land, and, in fact, all over the civilized world. In 1826 the chains, anchors, cannon and some of the heavier imperishable portions of his vessels were discovered at this island and taken to France, in memory of Perouse.

Of Santa Cruz, Captain Tilly says: "It is about