Viti : an account of a government mission to the Vitian or Fijian Islands in the years 1860-61
Description: In 1859 Seemann, a noted botanist, was commissioned to accompany an exploratory British government mission to Fiji, convened to investigate a potential cession of the islands. "His instructions as a botanist were 'to prepare a report on the native and cultivated vegetable products of the Fijian islands, and the apparent capabilities of the islands. to produce cotton, sugar, spices, indigo and other tropical plants'. In addition he was to 'make as complete a collection as possible of all the plants of the islands and all vegetable products'" (Howgego). Though the emphasis was on Fiji's plant life (published at length in his monumental Flora Vitiensis (1865-73) which is advertised for subscription at the end of the present volume), Seemann records in detail aspects of a local commerce, manufacture and culture only beginning to open up to outsiders. Howgego III S16.
Collection: DOCUMENTARY HERITAGEDescription: In 1859 Seemann, a noted botanist, was commissioned to accompany an exploratory British government mission to Fiji, convened to investigate a potential cession of the islands.…