62 TAHITI AND EIMEO. 



noted one through which the god Oroo is said to have thrown his 

 spear. 



While we remained at Eimeo, I visited Papoa or Cook's Harbour, 

 which lies to the east of that of Taloo. There is a marked resem- 

 blance between the two ports, except that the shores of Papoa are not 

 quite as precipitous as those of Taloo, and the entrance of the former 

 not as practicable. 



Wood and water may be had at both harbours in abundance, but 

 in other respects the island is not well adapted as a place for the 

 supply of ships. No more than a single ship would probably be able 

 to find refreshments at a time. It is, therefore, seldom visited, and its 

 surplus produce is carried to Tahiti for sale. Notwithstanding, the 

 articles of traffic are quite as dear as at Tahiti. 



The inhabitants of Eimeo reside upon the shores, and there are 

 several large villages on the southern side of the island ; among these 

 is Afareaitu, at which the Rev. Mr. Hale, whose recent arrival has 

 been spoken of, is about to take up his residence. 



It was in this island that the establishment of a factory for spinning 

 cotton, and weaving cloth and carpets, was attempted by Messrs. 

 Armitage and Blossom, who were sent out for the purpose by the 

 London Missionary Society. Its failure and cessation after a fair 

 trial have already been mentioned. 



It has been seen that the alluvial plain at the head of the harbour 

 of Taloo, is partly occupied by plantations of sugar. The cane is of 

 superior quality, and the climate well adapted to its production ; the 

 plant is indeed indigenous, and it is well known that the variety of it 

 found at Tahiti has been introduced advantageously into the West 

 Indies. At Eimeo the crop is liable to injury from the ground-rat, 

 and there are difficulties attending the management of the crop, 

 which cause the cultivators to speak despondingly. About one 

 hundred tons, however, are made annually. 



Coffee, cotton, and all other tropical plants, succeed well at Eimeo, 

 and the quantity of tapa manufactured is greater in proportion than 

 at Tahiti. 



I took the opportunity of my anchorage in the harbour of Eimeo, 

 to verify the chart made by Captain Von Schantz, of the Russian 

 ship America, and found it accurate. I have added some soundings, 

 and laid down the topography of the shores, and the outline of the 

 reefs, more minutely than he had attempted. 



