380 SU1L AND CLIMATE. [1840. 



their feet are garlanded the richest fruits and flowers, min- 

 gled with the greenest verdure, of a tropical clime. On 

 the hill sides the soil is very often a hard red clay, which can 

 never produce anything but grass for pasturage ; but in the 

 valleys and low grounds it consists of decomposed lava and 

 vegetation, intermixed with coral sand, and the detritus 

 washed down by the mountain torrents. This last is highly 

 productive, though, in dry weather, it is easily converted into 

 dust, and is sometimes quite annoying. 



None of the Polynesian islands can boast of a more delight- 

 ful climate. The purity, elasticity, and equability of the at- 

 mosphere, are unsurpassed. The nights, in particular, are very 

 fine. The ordinary range of the thermometer is from 65° to 

 86°. Showers are not very frequent directly along the coast, 

 but clouds are continually forming in the mountains, and are 

 driven by the winds over the delightful valleys upon which 

 they discharge their refreshing tribute. In some seasons, the 

 condensation of vapor constantly taking place in the moun- 

 tains is remarkable ; drizzling mists are ever descending in 

 the upper ravines, and in the intervals and plains beneath, 

 rain rapidly alternates with the sunshine. It might be sup- 

 posed, from this fact, that the climate must become so moist 

 as to be prejudicial to health ; but as the islands are situated 

 within the northern trades, blowing from the north-east to the 

 south-west, the fierce winds, called by the natives momukus, 

 prevent this result. On account of the prevalence of these 

 winds, it is much more pleasant on the leeward side of the 

 islands, than on the opposite side, and the vegetation has not 

 that peculiar burnt appearance often noticed to windward, 

 but looks fresher, greener, and more thrifty. Earthquakes 

 occur somewhat frequently, but the shocks are usually quite 

 slight, and it is very seldom that they produce any great 

 damage. 



Pulmonary affections, and scorbutic complaints, are quite 

 common. The principal diseases are asthma, consumption, 

 croup, influenza, catarrh, dropsy, fevers, apoplexy, diarrhea, 

 dysentery, inflammation of the viscera from over-eating and 



