320 FROM CALIFORNIA TO 



rocks, wliich form the south-east part of the island, 

 and rise 529 toises above the level of the sea, take 

 away from those who approach it the belief in the 

 great fertility of the island ; but you have scarcely 

 sailed round the Yellow Diamond Hill, when you 

 are surprised by the most beautiful landscape. 

 Close to the shore you see verdant vallies adorned 

 with palm and banana-trees, under which the 

 habitations of the savages lie scattered ; behind 

 this, the land gradually rises, all the hills are 

 covered with a smiling verdure, and bear the stamp 

 of industry. You have here the southern part of 

 the island before you, which runs in a strait line 

 of twenty miles in length, from cast to west, with- 

 out any difference in the state of the country. The 

 highest mountain of Woahoo is seen towering in 

 the north-west part, the height of which, accord- 

 ing to my measurement, is 631,9, toises. We sailed 

 past the village of Wahititi, near which Vancouver 

 cast anchor in a very dangerous situation, not 

 knowing that he was in the vicinity of a most com- 

 modious harbour, and saw through our telescopes 

 the village of Hana-rura, close to which is the har- 

 bour of the same name. A canoe, with three men, 

 rowed up to us. Manuja called to the people, 

 jumped into the water, and being an expert 

 swimmer, soon reached the boat, with which he 

 went on shore to announce our arrival to the chieis, 

 and to send us a pilot, on account of the difficult 

 entrance into the harbour. We were near Hana- 



