1777- THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 75 



lets that fall into it. The one at the head is so con- 

 siderable as to admit boats to go a quarter of a mile 

 up, where we found the water perfectly fresh. Its 

 banks are covered with the pooroo tree, as it is called 

 by the natives, which makes good firing, and which 

 they set no value upon ; so that wood and water are 

 to be got here with great facility. 



On the same side of the island, and about two 

 miles to the eastward, is the harbour of Parowroah, 

 much larger within than that of Taloo ; but the 

 entrance, or opening in the reef^ (for the whole 

 island is surrounded with a reef of coral rock) is con- 

 siderably narrower, and lies to leeward of the harbour. 

 These two defects are so striking, that the har- 

 bour of Taloo must always have a decided preference. 

 It is a little extraordinary, that I should have been 

 three times at Otaheite before, and have once sent a 

 boat to Eimeo, and yet not know till now that there 

 was a harbour in it ; on the contrary, I always 

 understood there was not ; whereas, there are not 

 only the two above mentioned, but one or two more 

 on the south side of the island ; but these last are 

 not so considerable as the two we have just described, 

 and of which a sketch has been made for the use of 

 those who may follow us in such a voyage. 



We had no sooner anchored than the ships were 

 crowded with the inhabitants, whom curiosity alone 

 brought on board ; for they had nothing with 

 them for the purposes of barter. But, the next 

 morning, this deficiency was supplied ; several ca- 

 noes then arriving from more distant parts, which 

 brought with them abundance of bread-fruit, cocoa- 

 nuts, and a few hogs. These they exchanged for 

 hatchets, nails, and beads, for red feathers were 

 not so much sought after here as at Otaheite. 

 The ship being a good deal pestered with rats, I 

 hauled her within thirty yards of the shore, as 

 near as the depth of water would allow, and made 

 a path for them to get to the land, by fastening haw- 



