320 VOYAGE TO THE 



x p ' be more profitably employed among the islands of 

 v- ^ r "**' the Sandwich groupe than on the frozen shores of 

 1826! the north, he was left behind, under the protection 

 of Pitt, whose kindness on the occasion nothing 

 could exceed. Mr. Collie took upon himself the 

 charge of naturalist, and acquitted himself in a 

 highly creditable manner. 



On the 31st of May we took our leave of Woahoo, 

 and proceeded to Oneehow, the westernmost island 

 of the Sandwich groupe, famous for its yams, fruit, 

 and mats. This island is the property of the king, 

 and it is necessary, previous to proceeding thither, to 

 make a bargain with the authorities at Woahoo for 

 what may be required, who in that case send an 

 agent to see the agreement strictly fulfilled. On the 

 June. i s t of June we hauled into a small sandy bay on the 

 western side of the island, the same in which Van- 

 couver anchored when he was there on a visit of a 

 similar nature to our own ; and I am sorry to say 

 that like him we were disappointed in the expected 

 supplies ; not from their scarcity, but in consequence 

 of the indolence of the natives. 



Oneehow is comparatively low, and, with the ex- 

 ception of the fruit trees, which are carefully culti- 

 vated, it is destitute of wood. The soil is too dry to 

 produce taro, but on that account it is well adapted 

 to the growth of yams, &c. which are very excellent 

 and of an enormous size. There is but one place in 

 this bay where the boat of a man of war can effect a 

 landing with safety when the sea sets into the bay, 

 which is a very common occurrence ; this is on its 

 northern shore, behind a small reef of rocks that lies 

 a little way off the beach, and even here it is neces- 

 sary to guard against sunken rocks ; off the western 



