r more feet deep, in which the taro is
planted; then the water is let in at one end, and flows out of the
other, thus keeping running water upon the bed all the time. It requires
about a year for the plant to get its growth. The natives bake the root
in their stone ovens, which are large holes in the ground. They place at
the bottom of the oven a quantity of wood and over it a heap of stones,
which are heated thoroughly by the burning wood; then the pig, chicken,
potatoes, or whatever else they wish to cook, are laid on the stones,
leaves being wrapped around them to keep them clean, a little water is
thrown on, and the whole is covered with earth. The water comes
gradually in contact with the stones, and is converted into steam,
which, with the heat of the stones, in a few hours cooks the food.

After the taro is baked, they peel it with a shell, and pound it with a
stone pestle in wooden trays, mixing with it water; then they set it
away to ferment. When ready for use, it has a sort of lavender color,
and is acid. They call it _poi_; it tastes like yeast or sour flour
paste, and is eaten with coarse salt. The natives eat with it raw fish.
This is the favorite Hawaiian dish.

"_Raw_ fish, aunty?" said Carrie.

Yes, raw fish; they say raw fish tastes much better than cooked; but I
could not believe it. Yet we eat raw oysters; perhaps that is no worse.
Taro-tops are very good greens. The natives usually sit round a large
calabash, and dip one, two, or three fingers, according to the
consistency of the _poi_; then by a peculiar movement they take it from
the calabash, and convey it to the mouth. That is their favorite mode of
eating, and they say it does not taste so well when eaten with a spoon.

Next morning, some native women called on us. There were about twenty of
them. They were cordial and kind, and their "aloha" was very hearty as
we shook hands with each. Some were fine-looking, tall and portly. A few
could talk English a little. They welcomed grandpa, making a short
speech in Hawaiian, and presented us with some fowls, onions, cabbages,
potatoes, eggs, squashes, and taro. Grandpa thanked them, and spoke of
the interest he and Christians in America had always felt in them. Mr.
Clark was interpreter, and their faces lighted up with evident joy.

The following day we called on Prince William Lunalilo, and his father
Kanaina. Prince William is one of the highest chiefs in the kingdom, the
rank here being determi