98 cook's voyage to march. 



The south-west parts of Akona are in the same 

 state with the adjoining district of'Kaoo ; but farther 

 to the north, the country has been cultivated with 

 great pains, and is extremely populous. 



In this part of the island is situated Karakakooa 

 Bay, which has been already described. Along the 

 coast nothing is seen but large masses of slag, and 

 the fragments of black scorched rocks ; behind which, 

 the ground rises gradually for about two miles and a 

 half, and appears to have been formerly covered with 

 loose burnt stones. These the natives have taken the 

 pains of clearing away, frequently to the depth of 

 three feet and upward ; which labour, great as it is, 

 the fertility of the soil amply repays. Here, in a rich 

 ashy mould, they cultivate sweet potatoes, and the 

 cloth-plant. The fields are inclosed with stone- 

 fences, and are interspersed with groves of cocoa-nut 

 trees. On the rising ground beyond these, the bread- 

 fruit trees are planted, and flourish with the greatest 

 luxuriance, 



Koaara extends from the westernmost point to the 

 northern extremity of the island ; the whole coast 

 between them forming an extensive bay, called 

 Toe-yah-yah, which is bounded to the north by two 

 very conspicuous hills. Toward the bottom of this 

 bay there is foul, corally ground, extending upward 

 of a mile from the shore, without which the soundings 

 are regular, with good anchorage, in twenty fathoms. 

 The country, as far as the eye could reach, seemed 

 fruitful and well inhabited, the soil being in appear- 

 ance of the same kind with the district of Kaoo ; but 

 no fresh water is to be got here. 



I have hitherto confined myself to the coasts of 

 this island, and the adjacent country, which is all 

 that I had an opportunity of being acquainted with 

 from my own observation. The only account I can 

 give of the interior parts, is from the information I 

 obtained from a party who set out on the afternoon 



