310 



THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 



Photograph by L. Gauthier 



FAUTAUA FALL, MORE THAN 600 FEET HIGH, WITH "THE DIADEM*' PARTIALLY 



SHOWN IX THE BACKGROUND 



Scenes like this have given to Tahiti the title of Switzerland of the South Seas. This 

 ribbon-like cascade, indeed, has been compared to the famous Staubbach. The highest aiguille, 

 as the rocky peaks of this region are called, is 3-99° tee t above sea-level. Here the natives 

 made a last stand against the French. Here, too. the French retired when they feared an 

 invasion of the island, taking the government records and portable property to this inac- 

 sible haven. 



