TAHITI AND EI MEO. 53 



evidence, to which Paofai listened in an attentive and dignified 

 manner, expressing, as occasion demanded, his assent or dissent. 

 He then pronounced the verdict of the court, by which the prisoner 

 was acquitted, but did not dismiss him without a brief and merited 

 admonition. It appeared, that although not guilty of the crime 

 alleged, he had while intoxicated addressed indecent language to his 

 accuser. 



Cultivation has undergone a great change within a few years, from 

 the introduction of the guava, which has overrun the lower plain ; 

 the pasturage has not only suffered, but to its destructive effects are 

 attributed many evils. Ten years prior to our visit, about which 

 time the guava was introduced by the missionaries, the plain, from 

 the sea to the base of the hills, was covered with verdure ; and now it 

 is overrun with an almost impenetrable thicket, before which all 

 other vegetation disappears. I am inclined to think, that although 

 this tree is now looked upon by the natives as a great curse, it will in 

 time be beneficial to them, and cause them to become industrious, 

 when they are obliged to get rid of it to make room for their sugar- 

 cane, cotton, and indigo plantations ; which products succeed re- 

 markably well, can be raised at small cost, and will before many 

 years be in great demand. 



The cocoa-nut trees were also reported to have been decreasing, 

 but our inquiries did not confirm this statement. 



The manner of ascending the trees by the natives, has been fre- 

 quently described, but can scarcely be imagined until witnessed ; the 

 feat is performed by leaping without any cessation, even in climbing 

 the highest tree ; the body of the tree being rough or composed of 

 rings, affords some hold for the thong which spans the tree between 

 the feet; at every jump, the body is thrown entirely free from the tree. 



The bread-fruit tree is also said to have decreased, and this is no 

 doubt the case ; the seeds are said to be often abortive at Tahiti, for 

 which reason the cultivation in this way has been neglected of late, 

 and the plants raised in other modes have become less productive in 

 consequence ; its timber is used for many purposes ; the fruit was 

 not in season while we were at Tahiti. 



Wild sugar-cane was found in the interior, commonly growing in 

 tufts, but so small in size that it was with difficulty recognised ; the 

 cultivated kind is derived from this, and is also of small size. 



The fruits we met with were oranges, lemons, limes, shaddocks, 

 pine-apples, papayas, bananas, figs, vi-apple, fahies, cocoa-nut, and 



VOL. 11. 14 



