142 REPORT OF COMMISSIONER OF FISH AND FISHERIES. 



shells from water 14 fathoms deep, after an Immersion of two minutes 

 and fortj^ seconds. The yield of mother-of-pearl is large, but appar- 

 ently decreasing. Pearls are not so frequentlj^ found here as in other 

 islands of the archipelago where the shells are less abundant. 



After leaving Hikueru a stop was made at Nukatavake, as before 

 mentioned, and a landing was also made at Pinaki, where the lagoon 

 was found almost inclosed, shoal, with over 100 small islets of 

 Tridacna shells, and apparentlj^ in process of filling up. 



From Pinaki the Albatross went to the Gloucester Islands, where 

 valuable observations were made, and then via Mehetia to Tahiti. 



On November 6 the expedition again arrived at Papeete, where it 

 remained until November 15, coaling and refitting. During both 

 this and the first visit the expedition was received with much cour- 

 tesy b}'^ the people of Papeete, who, in addition to the extension of 

 hospitality, in a number of cases provided facilities and rendered 

 assistance to the members of the party in carrying on their work. In 

 addition to the shore and reef collection, several members of the 

 part}' examined most of the valleys in the vicinity of Papeete, and 

 made soundings and observations in Lake Vaihiria. The population 

 of the island is restricted to a narrow fringe around the coast, the 

 interior, with its high peaks and narrow spurs, separating equally 

 narrow valleys, being ill adapted to the temperament and necessities 

 of an ease-loving people like the Polynesians. A road, mostly in 

 good condition, encircles the island, and, with the sea, affords the sole 

 means of communication. The reef skirting Tahiti is principally of 

 the barrier type, sheltering a channel from the sea and affording a 

 smooth passage for small craft navigating the coast. In some places 

 the channel is of sufficient depth to afford passage and harbor to 

 vessels drawing 15 feet, and the steamers, which come several times 

 a year to load fruits for the Australasian colonies, are able to take 

 berths near the plantations from which they draw their supplies. 



The soil of Tahiti, as is usual in volcanic islands, is fertile and the 

 vegetation luxuriant. Cotton and sugar are produced, but appear to 

 be less important than formerly. Coffee grows almost within reach of 

 the sea. There is an increasing production of vanilla, which is said to 

 be of excellent quality, and the oranges grown on the island are unsur- 

 passed. The plantations are all on the strip of lowland along the 

 coast and in the lower and broader portions of the numerous valleys 

 which furrow the island radially from the high interior. Papeete, 

 the capital, has a trade of some importance, being the distributing 

 point for the entire French South Sea Establishments and the port of 

 transhipment of their products of copra and pearl shell. 



The beauty of the island is unsurpassed by anything seen on the 

 cruise. Its high, rugged mountains, one exceeding and several others 

 almost equaling 7,000 feet in height, the many cascades and water- 

 falls plunging over precipitous valley walls or leaping from ledge to 

 ledge on the flanks of the ridges, its dales and valleys, with rapid 



