CHAPTER XXII. 



TAHITI — SOCIETY ISLANDS. 



Six days after leaving Pitcairn, Tahiti,* the largest 

 and most important of the Society Islands, was 

 sighted, and at 10 o'clock in the morning we 

 dropped anchor off the town of Papeete. The 

 barrier-reef protecting the harbour is almost 

 a-wash at low water, and we had to lie outside 

 and wait for a pilot. 



From this position a splendid view of the island 

 was obtained. A series of jagged peaks extends 

 through its whole length — peaks covered from 

 base to summit with dense forest, and intersected 

 by narrow gorges filled with rushing torrents of 

 clear water. The town of Papeete is built in a 

 clearing in the forest ; between it and the 

 shore lies a stretch of grass dotted with trees, 

 many of which grow within a few feet of the sea 

 and overhang the water. The main street runs 

 parallel with the harbour, and a short distance 



* Tahiti is often referred to as Otaheite. This name, we were 

 assured by the Tahitians, is incorrect, and originated from a mistake 

 made by Captain Cook. 



Q 2 



