50 TAHITI AND EIMEO. 



original form of sharp edges and pointed pinnacles, it was found so 

 soft, to the depth of a foot or more, as to crumble in the hand. The 

 earth thus formed varies in colour from that of Indian red to a light 

 ochrey tint ; in consequence, many of the hills are of a red hue, and 

 one immediately behind Papieti, takes its name (red hill) from this 

 appearance. 



This decomposed earthy matter, mixed with the abundant decayed 

 vegetation of a tropical climate, forms, as may be readily imagined, a 

 soil of the greatest, fertility, adapted to every kind of cultivation. On 

 the higher grounds, the soil thus constituted has the character of a 

 clay, and is in wet weather slippery and unctuous ; in lower positions 

 it is mixed with lime derived from coral and shells, which often tends 

 to augment its fertility. 



Iron abounds throughout; on the mountains to such an extent that 

 compasses were found of little use from the local attraction by which 

 they were affected ; and on the shore, the sand was composed in part 

 of iron, which could be separated by the magnet. 



Water gushes out near the coast in copious springs, but none 

 of them were found hot, nor were any warm springs reported to 

 exist. 



Papieti, in whose harbour we were now lying, is one of the largest 

 villages on the island ; being the ordinary residence of the queen, and 

 the abode of the foreign consuls. The foreign residents are also, for 

 the most part, collected here. Among all its dwellings, the royal 

 residence, and the house of Mr. Pritchard, are the only ones which 

 possess the luxury of glazed windows. The houses of the foreigners 

 are scattered along the beach, or built immediately behind it 



The bay of Papieti is the safest, and its port affords the greatest 

 facilities for the repair and supply of vessels, of any belonging to the 

 island. For the first purpose a wharf and warehouse have been con- 

 structed, which are let to those who wish to use them. We occupied 

 them for ten days, for which we paid thirty dollars. The tender was 

 hove out at the wharf, and her equipment secured in the warehouse. 

 A limited supply of ships' stores and chandlery is kept for sale, and 

 may also be purchased from the vessels which frequent the port. 



The greater part of the commercial business of Tahiti is transacted 

 here, whither the articles for export from other parts of the island are 

 brought to be re-shipped. The number of vessels which visit this 

 port annually, is about sixty, of which the largest portion are whalers; 

 the remainder are transient merchantmen, or regular traders from 



