December. 



146 AVOYAGETO 



>777- in about three months, begins to bear fruit ; durin;^ which 

 time it gives young fhoots, wliich fupply a fucceflion of 

 fruit, tor the old flocks are cut down, as the fruit is 

 taken ofF. 



The products of the ifland, however, are not fo remark- 

 able for their variety, as great abundance ; and curiofities 

 of any kind are not numerous. Amongtl thcfe we may 

 reckon a pond or lake of freili water, at the top of one of 

 the highefl: mountains, to go to, and to return from which, 

 takes three or four days. It is remarkable for its depth ; 

 and has eels of an enormous fize in it ; which are fome- 

 timcs caught by the natives, who go upon this water in little 

 floats of two or three wild plantain-trees fallcned together. 

 This is eftcemed one of the grearefl: natural curiofities of 

 the country ; infomuch, that travellers, who come from 

 ihc other iflands, arc commonly afked, amongft the iirft 

 things, by their friends, at their return, if they have feen 

 it ? There is alfo a fort of water, of which there is only one 

 fmall pond upon the ifland, as far diftant as the lake, and 

 to appearance very good, with a yellow fediraent at the 

 bottom : but it has a bad tafle, and proves fatal to thofe who 

 drink any quantity ; or makes ihem break out in blotches, 

 if they bathe in it. 



Nothing could make a ftronger impreflion, at firfl fight, 

 on our arrival here, than the remarkable contrail between 

 the robufl make and dark colour of the people of Tonga- 

 taboo, and a fort of delicacy and whitenefs, which diftin- 

 guifli the inhabitanis of Otahcite. It was even fome time 

 before that difference could preponderate in favour of the 

 Otaheiteans ; and then only, perhaps, becaufe we became 

 accuflomed to them, the marks which had recommended 

 6 the 



