360 GENERAL CHARACTER OP THE SCENERY. [1840. 



west from Molokai, and, both politically and commercially, is 

 the most important island in the group. It is forty-six miles 

 in length, and twenty-three in breadth. Like Hawaii, it 

 rises on all sides from the ocean, to an elevated plain in the 

 interior, that is dotted with numerous mountain peaks, none 

 of which, however, exceed four thousand feet in height. In- 

 deed, the general character of the surface of this island is 

 level in comparison with the other islands, and a very good 

 carriage road might be constructed from one end to the other 

 without much difficulty. 



Kauai is between seventy and eighty miles still further to 

 the north-west. It is nearly circular in shape ; its greatest 

 length being thirty-three miles, and its greatest breadth 

 twenty-eight. Its scenery resembles that of the other islands, 

 but is more delightfully varied. It is considerably broken, 

 and has mountains towering to the height of five thousand 

 feet. The climate is very fine ; agriculture is here in a most 

 flourishing state; and this, in connection with its natural 

 attractions and advantages, has rendered it a favorite place 

 of retreat during the hot summer months. — Niihau, sixteen 

 miles south-west of Kauai, is eighteen miles long, from north 

 to south, and seven miles wide. It is much lower than any 

 of the other principal islands, having no elevation above eight 

 hundred feet, but its surface is quite rocky and uneven. It 

 is celebrated chiefly for the beautiful mats manufactured by 

 its inhabitants, and is likewise said to be a fine place for 

 making salt. 



The same general features, in respect of scenery, charac- 

 terize the whole group. Coral reefs encircle the coasts, with 

 frequent openings, — and occasionally they wholly disappear. 

 In some places the shores are low, and this is most commonly 

 the case ; but in others, the ocean waves are dashed against 

 rocky piles of lava, and tall cliffs of basalt. Belts of tropical 

 vegetation, of the most exuberant growth, begirt the islands, 

 just inside the fringe of snowy breakers ; beyond these are 

 strips of fresh green verdure, — plants, and shrubs, and vines, 

 and grasses, all mingled confusedly together, — which creep 



