TONGA ISLAND. 183 



been blowing from the southward and eastward, accompanied 

 with rain at intervals. At an early hour the squadron got 

 under-way and proceeded to sea. 



I propose before I conclude this chapter, to make a few 

 general remarks. 



Tonga Island, or Tangataboo, was discovered by the Dutch 

 about the middle of the seventeenth century, and was by 

 them named Amsterdam. It is of coral formation, and has a 

 lagoon, which extends about twelve miles into the interior. 



The climate is not considered salubrious. The temperature 

 is frequently 96° in the shade, and the transitions from heat 

 to cold are sudden. Hurricanes prevail during the months of 

 January, February and March ; they vary in duration from 

 twelve to twenty-four hours ; and after a severe one, a famine 

 generally follows, in which great numbers of the inhabitants 

 die ; they blow down trees and destroy all kinds of crops. 

 The native name for them is " Afa hagi fagii," which signifies 

 in English, the storm that throws down the trees and houses. 

 The soil is very fertile, being composed of several feet in 

 depth of vegetable mould, and is overgrown with a dense forest 

 of cocoa-nut trees. The productions are yams, taro, bread- 

 fruit, bananas, sugar-cane, shaddocks, oranges, and a species 

 of nutmeg. 



The inhabitants are probably of the same extraction as the 

 natives of the Society Islands, Marquesas Islands, and the 

 Navigator Group, since there is an evident resemblance in 

 their manners, customs and language. The women are hand- 

 some and graceful in their manners. Those who have children 

 show a remarkable tenderness for them, and pay the greatest 

 attention to their wants. 



They generally rise with the sun, and after having enjoyed 

 the cool of the evening, retire to their repose a short time 



