THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 105 



fully laid out in plantations, and the neighbouring fea T 77<?- 

 abounds with a variety of moft excellent fifli, with which, 

 as well as with other provifions, we were always plenti- 

 fully fupplied. Off this part of the coafl we could find no 

 ground, at lefs than a cable's length from the fhore, with a 

 hundred and fixty fathoms of line, excepting in a fmall bight 

 to the Eaflward of the South point, where we had regular 

 foundings of fifty and fifty-eight fathoms over a bottom of fine 

 fand. Before we proceed to the weftern districts-, it may be 

 neceflary to remark, that the whole coafl fide of the ifland, 

 from the Northern to the Southern extremity, does not afford 

 the fmallefl harbour or fhelter for fliipping. 



The South Weft parts of Akona are in the fame flate with 

 the adjoining diftrict of Kaoo; but farther to the North, the 

 country has been cultivated with great pains, and is ex- 

 tremely populous. 



In this part of the ifland is fituated Karakakooa Bay, which 

 has been already defcribcd. Along the coafl nothing is fecn 

 but large mafTesof flag, and the fragments of black fcorch- 

 cd rocks ; behind which, the ground rifes gradually for 

 about two miles and a half, and appears to have been for- 

 merly covered with loofe burnt flones. Thefc 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 foil amply repays. Here, in a rich 

 afliy mould, they cultivate fwcet potatoes, and the cloth- 

 plant. The fields are inclofed with flone-fences, and are in- 

 terfperfed with groves of cocoa-nut trees. On the rifing 

 ground beyond thefe, the bread-fruit trees arc planted, and 

 flourifh with the greatefl luxuriance. 



Vol. III. P Koaara 



