3 2 4 THE CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC. 



Cook, is as yet uninvaded by the satellites of the modern 

 tourist of that name. 



The islands of the 'Low Archipelago,' or the Tuamotus 

 (sometimes called Paumotus, signifying a 'cloud of islands'), 

 well deserve a short account. The group, or groups, extend 

 over 16 degrees of longitude, and consist of 78 islands, all coral 

 atolls, which with the exception of three are surrounded by 

 lagoon reefs, varying in size from a few miles to over 100 

 miles in circumference. The population may be set down at 

 5000, of which perhaps only a fifth is in a state of primaeval 

 barbarism. 



In former times these people were so famous for their 

 bravery that Pomare the Great, of Tahiti (called so by reason 

 of his conquests), invariably employed them as his guards. 



All who know the Tuamotans say they feel safer in their com- 

 pany than in that of any other natives of the Pacific, and under 

 circumstances of difficulty and danger this is especially notice- 

 able. The Tuamotans are naturally independent, and they de- 

 mand of their employers good pay and good usage. They are 

 nearly all Catholics, and make very good converts ; but they 

 have a great predilection for rum, and are rather fond of an 

 occasional free fight. On the Manga Eeva Island there is a 

 Catholic bishop and a body of clergy. 



Of the 78 islands in the group 35 are known to contain 

 pearl-shell in their lagoons, and. there can be little doubt that 

 the large pearl which was purchased by the Queen for 6000 

 came from these islands. The majority of the islands are 

 incapable of any cultivation except for the growth of the cocoa- 

 nut, as they consist almost entirely of coralline sand, with very 

 little soil. Limes, however, flourish, and fig-trees attain great 

 luxuriance. A few of the islands (notably Manga Reva, a 

 basaltic island over 2000 feet high) possess fertile soil. Manga 



