1777. THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 135 



oned those that would naturally cover the plains, even 

 supposing that the island was not inhabited ; in the 

 same manner that the white-barked trees, found at 

 Van Diemen's Land, constitute the forests there. 

 And from this we may observe, that the inhabitant 

 of Otaheite, instead of being obliged to plant his 

 bread, will rather be under a necessity of preventing 

 its progress ; which I suppose is sometimes done, 

 to give room for trees of another sort, to afford him 

 some variety in his food. 



The chief of these are the cocoa-nut and plantain ; 

 the first of which can give no trouble, after it has 

 raised itself a foot or two above the ground ; but the 

 plantain requires a little more care. For, after it is 

 planted, it shoots up, and, in about three months, 

 begins to bear fruit ; during which time it gives 

 young shoots, which supply a succession of fruit. 

 For the old stocks are cut down, as the fruit is taken 

 off 



The products of the island, however, are not so 

 remarkable for their variety, as great abundance ; 

 and curiosities of any kind are not numerous. 

 Amongst these we may reckon a pond or lake of 

 fresh water, at the top of one of the highest moun- 

 tains, to go to and to return from which takes three 

 or four days. It is remarkable for its depth, and has 

 eels of an enormous size in it; which are sometimes 

 caught by the natives, who go upon this water in 

 little floats of two or three wild plantain-trees 

 fastened together. This is esteemed one of the great- 

 est natural curiosities of the country ; insomuch, 

 that travellers, who come from the other islands, are 

 commonly asked, amongst the first things, by their 

 friends, at their return, if they have seen it. There 

 is also a sort of water, of which there is only one 

 small pond upon the island, as far distant as the lake, 

 and to appearance very good, with a yellow sediment 

 at the bottom; but it has a bad taste, and proves 



k 4 



