22 TAHITI. 



by two foreigners to murder Mrs. Morenhout, they have endeavoured 

 to obtain the passage of a law for the expulsion of all foreigners 

 whatsoever. 



The aversion to the permanent residence of foreigners is general, 

 and although there is no law forbidding the sale of land to them, yet 

 no offers have hitherto been found sufficient to induce the chiefs to 

 dispose of any portion of their soil. They find in its possession an 

 acknowledged right to rank and respectability, and it spontaneously 

 yields them and their followers the means of subsistence. So pow- 

 erful is this repugnance to the admission of foreigners to any of the 

 privileges arising from a possession of land, that those who are 

 attempting to cultivate sugar, &c, hold their leases by so uncertain 

 a tenure as to prevent their making any permanent improvement. 



The canoes at Tahiti show an evident improvement on those of the 

 Disappointment Islanders; the bottom is constructed of one piece. 

 They use an out-rigger, and have a projection over the stern for 

 landing. The paddle is also different. 



COMMON - TAHITIA.N CANOE. 



The fertile portion of the island of Tahiti lies in the valleys, which 

 are of small extent, and in the plain which extends from the sea shore 

 to the spurs of the mountains. These produce tropical plants in 

 great abundance and luxuriance, and are probably not exceeded in 

 fertility by any portion of the earth's surface. The climate of this 

 region is warm but not enervating, and is well adapted for the 

 enjoyment of all the pleasures of life To this climate the habits 

 and pursuits of the natives are well adapted, or rather they are its 

 necessary results. Their disposition leads them to the quiet enjoy- 

 ment of the beautiful scenes around them. Their cottages are to 

 be found in retired and lovely spots, and are usually surrounded by 

 neatly fenced enclosures. In these, which are often of considerable 

 extent, are to be seen growing the bread-fruit, vi-apple, and orange, 

 and sometimes extensive groves of tall cocoa-nut trees. In one corner 

 are the patches of taro and sweet-potatoes. 



The cottages are of an oval form, usually about fifty or sixty feet 

 in length, and twenty in breadth. The walls are formed of bamboos 



