248 Voyage of the No vara. 



in 1857, found in the kawa-root an organic base, which he 

 termed Kawahine, and which is fully described in his inter- 

 esting Monography (p. 99). 



Owing to kawa- drinking having been prohibited in Tahiti, 

 chiefly through the influence of the missionaries, the use of 

 brandy and other spirituous liquors is beginning to exercise 

 a not less baneful influence in that island upon the physical 

 and intellectual j)owers. 



In agriculture, as in commerce, the effect of the French Pro- 

 tectorate has been visibly to slacken the rate of progress. 

 The number of ships that visit the island does not exceed 60 

 to 80 annually, representing an interchange of merchandise 

 to the value of about £64,000 per annum, of which about five- 

 eighths, or £40,000, may be estimated as the amount ex- 

 ported.* What is most surprising, is the small number of 

 whalers who visit the island for provisions and repairs. In 

 1836, the total number was fifty-two; at present not more 

 than five or six in the year enter the harbour of Papeete. In 

 the official reports this falling ofl* is ascribed to the fish having 

 forsaken these regions, while the stagnation of trade is gener- 

 ally ascribed to the reduction of the French garrison (!) in 

 Tahiti, and the rise of late years of the Sandwich Islands 

 and California. But the true cause of the decay is to be 



* These calculations are merely approximative. The Custom House at Papeete 

 has sufficient documents, but it keeps them secret, apparently for political reasons, 

 if we may credit the remark of a Tahitian. " It is not wished to let all the world 

 know that we are not in a prosperous state." 



