l]o A V O Y A G E T O 



"■77- Poonohoo. It runs in South, or South by Eaft, between 

 the hills, above two miles. For fecurity, and goodncfs of 

 its bottom, it is not inferior to any harbour that I have met 

 with at any of the ilbmds in this ocean ; and it has this ad- 

 vantage over mod of them, that a fhip can fail in and out, 

 with the reigning trade wind; fo that the accefs and recefs 

 are equally eafy. There are fcveral rivulets that fall into it. 

 The one, at the head, is fo confidcrable as to admit boats to 

 go a quarter of a mile up, where we found the water per- 

 fecftly frefh. Its banks are covered with the pooroo tree, as 

 it is called by the natives, which makes good firing, and 

 which they fet no value upon ; fo that wood and water arc 

 to be got here with great facility. 



On the fame fide of the ifland, and about two miles to 

 the Eaflward, is the harbour of Parowroah, much larger 

 •within than that of Taloo ; but the entrance, or opening in 

 the reef (for the whole illand is furrounded by a reef of 

 coral rock) is confiderably narrower, and lies to leeward of 

 the harbour. Thefe two defetfls are fo ftriking, that the 

 harbour of Taloo muii always have a decided preference. 

 It is a little extraordinary, that I fhould have been three 

 times at Otaheite before, and have once fent a boat to 

 Ehneo, and yet not know, till now, that there was a har- 

 bour in it. On the contrary, I always underftood, there was 

 not. Whereas, there are net only the two above mentioned, 

 but one or two more, on the South fide of the ifland. But 

 thefe lad are not fo confidcrable as the two we have juft de- 

 fcribcd, and of which a fkctch has been made for the ufe 

 of thofe who may follow us in fuch a voyage. 



We had no fooner anchored, than the fliips were crowded 

 with the inhabitants, whom curiofiry alone brought on 



board ; 



