518 COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TEAVEL 



one place by the precipices of the S.E. coast. A railway 

 is even proposed, but is not at present likely to be con- 

 structed. Tahiti is in communication with Auckland, 

 New Zealand, by means of steamers sailing every six 

 weeks. 



The other windward islands are Maitea, an extinct 

 volcano, which forms the eastern limit of the group ; and 

 Eimeo or Moorea, also volcanic, but of larger size and 

 very fertile, and extraordinarily rugged and broken as 

 regards its surface. 



The chief leeward islands are Huahine, Eaiatea, and 

 Borabora. All are mountainous and rugged. The first- 

 named has a good harbour and a population of about 

 1300. Eaiatea and Tahaii resemble Tahiti in being twin 

 islands, but, although surrounded by the same coral reef, 

 they are not in actual contact. Eaiatea rises to a height 

 of 3385 feet, and is well watered and very fertile, pro- 

 ducing a considerable amount of cotton and copra. Its 

 population of 2300 are all Protestants ; there are good 

 schools and a native missionary college, and the island is 

 the residence of the Administrator of the Leeward group. 

 A well-preserved moral exists, built of enormous coral 

 blocks. Borabora was formerly renowned for its warriors, 

 but the natives do not now number more than 800. It 

 has a large and good harbour, and its shapely cone, 

 though only 2380 feet high, renders it a striking object 

 from the sea. 



9. The Austral Islands and Low Archipelago. 



The Tubuai or Austral group is seldom visited even 

 by the French. It consists of four chief volcanic islands, 

 surrounded by coral reefs, and situate almost on the 

 tropic. The climate is thus very healthy, but, owing to 



