PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 311 



ture of the atmosphere during our stay was 79°, 98, 

 the minimum 75°, and maximum 87°. 



The many excellent ports in Otaheite have been f| 2 g.' 

 enumerated by Captain Cook, though he only made 

 use of one, Matavai Bay, and that which was most 

 exposed ; in consequence, probably, of the facility of 

 putting to sea. Those on the north-western coast 

 are the most frequented, as some difficulty of get- 

 ting out and in attends most of the others, particu- 

 larly those in the south-western side of the island, 

 which are subject to a constant heavy swell from the 

 higher latitudes, and in the long calms that prevail 

 under the lee of the island, are apt to endanger ves- 

 sels approaching the reefs. Of the four on the 

 north-western coast, viz. Matavai, Papawa, Toanoa, 

 and Papiete, the last is the most common anchorage, 

 and were it not that it is subject to long calms and 

 very hot weather, in consequence of being more to 

 leeward than the others, it would certainly be the 

 best. Toanoa is very small, but conveniently adapted 

 to the refit of one or two ships. The best port how- 

 ever lies between this anchorage and Matavai, and is 

 called Papawa ; several ships may anchor there in per- 

 fect safety quite close to the shore, and if a wharf were 

 constructed, might land their cargoes upon it with- 

 out the assistance of boats. It may be entered either 

 from the east or west, and it has the additional ad- 

 vantage of having Matavai Bay for a stopping place, 

 should circumstances render it inconvenient to entel 

 at the moment; but this channel which commu- 

 nicates with Matavai Bay must be approached with 

 attention to two coral knolls that have escaped the 

 notice of both Cook and Bligh. I have given direc- 

 tions for avoiding them in my nautical remarks. 



