TONGATABTJ. ]0.5 



fatlioms, and it became oln-ioiis tliat we were but a slioi't 

 distance from a reef, from wliicli proceeded an odour 

 strongly resembling that of fish. The wind, that had been 

 always ahead since we left Norfolk Island, continued to be 

 unfiivourable, which compelled us almost the whole time to 

 keep up our steam. 



On July 17, after passing through some twent_v small 

 islands of but slight elevation, and all covered with vegeta- 

 tion, we cast anchor about one o'clock p.m. in tJie port of 

 Tongatabu, just opposite the lung's house. The most striking 

 object in this regal village is the church ; it stands about 

 GO feet above the level of tlie sea, on a small hill covered 

 with a variety of trees. The island appeared to us to lie ver_y 

 low, and, after the church and some dwellings, what most 

 attracted our attention was the sandy shore with a coral 

 reef about 150 yards distant. 



Numbers of small canoes with outriggers soon crowded 

 about the ship freighted with pigs, poultry, large branches 

 of bananas, cabbages, onions, yams, cocoa-nuts, oranges, 

 shaddocks, limes, madrepores, shells, and small white 

 cowries, which are made use of to ornament their canoes 

 and the roofs of their huts. They were soon followed by 

 two Protestant missionaries, Messrs. Whewell and Moulton, 

 who came to visit the Connnodore. 



Meanwhile I went ashore witli some of the officers, and 

 as it was ebb tide our launch could not approach the shore, 

 so we were obliged to be carried to land, wliich M'as 

 efTected bv means oi' a littcii' consistiiii;' of tM'o lon<!: bamjjoo 



