THE MAEQUESA ISLANDS 523 



and the outline of their coasts. The interior is steep and 

 hilly, most of the islands being about 3000 feet in height. 

 All the coasts are free of coral reefs, with the exception 

 of a somewhat extensive chain of rocks lying at no great 

 distance from Uahuka. The islands abound in inlets, 

 often forming havens, the approach to which is, however, 

 frequently imperilled by the sudden gusts of wind from 

 the hills. 



The soil is, on the whole, less fertile than that of 

 Tahiti, and accordingly bears a less exuberant vegetation. 

 On Nukahiva and Tauata the basalt towers to considerable 

 heights, or at least crops out on the summits of the hills, 

 thus often forming abrupt and jagged walls of imposing 

 appearance. The ground is for the most part rocky, and 

 only sparingly covered with humus, though still sufficient 

 to produce a rich tropical vegetation. The climate is hot 

 on the coasts, but as we ascend to the higher grounds 

 this tropical heat gives place to a perceptible coolness, so 

 that we might almost fancy ourselves at times transplanted 

 to some upland valley of our mountain districts. In 

 other respects the climate is salubrious, giving rise to 

 little sickness either amongst the natives or strangers. 

 None of the volcanoes are active, but there are thermal 

 and mineral springs. 



The aborigines of the Marquesas are usually described 

 as the very finest of all the South Sea islanders, and are 

 said to surpass even the Tahitians in physical beauty. 

 Their complexion is of a pure healthy yellow, with a soft 

 ruddy bloom on the cheeks. According to Cook they 

 excel, perhaps, all other races in their symmetrical pro- 

 portions and the regularity of their features. Few of 

 them remain, however, to enable us to judge of their 

 characteristics. European vices and customs have done 

 their work. The population of Nukahiva was estimated 



