The native inhabitants are for the most part Melanesians, with dark complexions and long woolly hair. They are strong-limbed, muscular men; but are-generally reported to be averse to continued labor. At all events the planters have had to look abroad for assistance in their fields. A considerable intermixture has taken place with the Poly nesian Tonga islanders, and one of their chiefs has gained possession of the Windward islands (his residence being on Lakembor), and holds the title of viceroy of Viti. Up till 1854 cannibalism was universal in the islands; but since that date it has been suppressed, or at least banished to the most remote districts, through the efforts of the missionaries. About one third of the natives are professed Christians, and almost all have abandoned their idols. The Wesleyans, who first came in 1835, have made most converts; but the Roman Catholic priests, arriving in 1846, have also been successful. Many of the mission ary schools are taught by rfatives, the great majority of whonrean and write their own language. There are four newspapers published, one of which is a native produc. lion.
The native pop. was lately estimated at 146,000, of whom 70,000 were in Viti-levu, 33,000 in Yanua-levu, and 43,000 in the smaller islands; but a deadly epidemic of measles in 1875, introduced by a British man-of-war, reduced that number by at least one third.
The white pop. was estimated in 1876 at 1569 persons, of various nationalities, but most of them British subjects from other colonies.
The later history of Viti has been very tumultuous, and to this fact is undoubtedly owing the small extent of its commerce. In 1855, Thakaumba, chief of Bau, was made responsible for a debt due from the natives to the Americans, and this resulted in his election to the dignity of "Tui Viti," or king of Viti. In 1857, he offered to cede Viti to Great Britain, in consideration of the payment of his debt to America, stipulating only for the retention of his title and authority over the natives. This offer, however, was refused by the British government in 1862, after sending out a deputation. A "Polynesian company" was then started, which undertook to clear off the debt, in return for certain valuable privileges, but ultimately it collapsed. In 1869 the president of the United States refused the protectorate of the islands. From that date until 1873, the government sanctioned three or four unsuccessful constitutions. The cession of the islands to Britain was renewed in 1873, and accepted, and on Sept. 30, 1874, they were annexed as a crown colony. Under sir Arthur Gordon's governorship, they have made great material and political progress.