CHAPTER V. 



S A M O A N GROUP. 

 1839. 



During the time that the squadron remained in the Samoan 

 Group, all the islands of which it is made up were visited ; not only 

 were the examinations, spoken of in the two preceding chapters, 

 made, but their shores were minutely surveyed by boats ; the meteo- 

 rological instruments were duly registered ; astronomic and magnetic 

 observations made, and a full record of the tides kept. We have 

 thus obtained a large amount of information, which will be more 

 easily intelligible in a condensed form, together with a great number 

 of facts in relation to the aboriginal population, which may be made 

 more interesting when applied to give a general view of the habits, 

 character, and state of civilization among the natives, than if dispersed 

 in isolated remarks in the accounts of the separate tours in which it 

 was obtained. 



The group lies between the latitudes of 13° 30' and 14° 30' S., and 

 the longitudes of 168° and 173° W. The islands, as has been seen, 

 agree in the general character of being of volcanic structure, and 

 having coral reefs ; differing, however, in the modifications of these 

 formations, which have been from time to time described. The 

 harbours are usually situated within the reefs, but Tutuila is an 

 exception to this rule, by the possession of the deep land-locked basin 

 of Pago-pago. This is, of all the ports, the one best adapted for the 

 refitting of vessels; but Apia, in Upolu, in the latitude of 13° 48' 

 56-6" S., and longitude 171° 41' 09" W., is not so difficult of egress, 

 and in consequence of its proximity to the fertile district of Aana, the 

 most convenient for vessels seeking only a temporary anchorage and 

 refreshment. 



The approach to Pago-pago, and the other harbours of the Samoan 



