CHAPTER IV. 



RESEARCHES AT TAHITI, AND DISCOVERY OF THE ANT- 

 ARCTIC CONTINENT. 



ON the 12th of September, the expedition reached 

 the island of Tahiti. The ships were soon sur- 

 rounded with a multitude of canoes filled with all 

 the products of the island, including poultry, pigs, 

 taro, bananas, yams, cocoanuts, apples, and oranges. 

 Many women also occupied the canoes, whose ap- 

 pearance was attractive, but whose morals were loose 

 in the extreme. The presence of Christian mis- 

 sionaries at Tahiti has accomplished but little 

 toward resisting the demoralizing effect of Christian 

 commerce ; and the utmost licentiousness prevails 

 among the women of the island. Captain Wilkea 

 established an observatory at Point Venus, for the 

 purpose of making scientific observations. Pomare, 

 the sovereign of the group, visited the squadron 

 during its sojourn near his dominions. Captain 

 Wilkes held some interviews with him and the 



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