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SAMOA: NAVIGATORS ISLANDS 



The highest peak in the islands is on Savaii, a fine specimen 

 of volcanic mountain 4,000 feet high and, in common with others 

 of the archipelago, clothed to its top with a thick growth of cocoa 

 and other palms, bread-fruit, guava, and numberless specimens 

 of tropical vegetable life. Upolu is almost entirely surrounded 

 by those singular coral growths called barrier reefs, wonderful 

 submarine walls or breakwaters built up to the level of the sea 

 and forming fine lagoons by means of which communication 

 from point to point is facilitated in all kinds of weather. The 

 distance from the reef to the shore varies from a few feet to three 

 miles. v 



The climate of the Samoan archipelago is distinctly tropical, 

 the temperature seldom rising above 100 on the Fahrenheit scale 

 or falling below 70. During a large part of the year the winds are 

 moderate and from diverse directions, so that on the elevated pla- 

 teaus near the ocean the climate is not disagreeable or unhealthy. 

 Beginning in February, however, and extending through the en- 

 tire month of March, the islands are subject to violent hurricanes 

 which often do immense damage to plantations and dwellings. 

 The historic tornado of March 15 and 16, 1889, will be'recalled 

 as an example of the cyclonic fury of the winds which visit these 

 latitudes at long and irregular intervals. Throughout the year 

 frequent thunder-showers temper the atmosphere and supply 



GERMAN PLANTATION IN SAMOA 



