LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 179 



The natives showed themselves sharp traders. They seldom adhere 

 to the value they have set upon an article, after their first demand is 

 agreed to, but ask a more exorbitant price, and show an indisposition 

 to comply with their engagements. It was amusing to witness the 

 trade between them and the sailors. They generally took a fancy to 

 some one thing, and nothing would suit them but it. Bottles were 

 found here to be the article in most request, and a porter-bottle would 

 purchase two baskets of yams or sweet-potatoes, and be received in 

 preference to knives or cloth. 



The village is situated on the south side of the island, in a grove 

 of cocoa-nut trees, but from the clouds of musquitoes was not the 

 most inviting place. Their plantations seemed to be well taken care 

 of, and large patches of taro, yams, potatoes, some corn (maize), 

 and young plantains, were in fine condition. The soil is made up 

 of decomposed lava. Large quantities of scoriaceous matter were 

 scattered over the island, and some pumice-stone was seen floating 

 about. 



There was a small church, plastered and whitewashed, with its 

 burying-ground attached. Old Thaki here pointed out the graves 

 of two of his children, side by side. At the foot of the graves he had 

 planted a fragrant shrub, which he said he had brought from La- 

 kemba for the purpose, as the plant did not grow at Oneata. Much 

 pains had been taken with many of the graves, and a few of them 

 were neatly laid out. 



The Tahitian missionaries prepossessed all in their favour by their 

 quiet and orderly behaviour. They have many recommendations 

 from the former visiters to the island. They have been on Oneata 

 upwards of twenty years, having been placed there, as they said, by 

 Mr. Williams, who was the pioneer for so many years in the mis- 

 sionary field, in which service he lost his valuable life. 



Observatory Island was made one of the magnetic stations, and 

 Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold also obtained there a full set of 

 observations for latitude and azimuth, sights for chronometers, and a 

 round of angles on all the islands and reefs in sight. The weather 

 being unfavourable, they did not succeed in finishing the survey of 

 Oneata and its reefs until the 23d. Tiana, the pilot whom they took 

 on board at Fulanga, was here parted with. He had proved very 

 serviceable, and possessed much knowledge of this part of the group. 



Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold gave him his discharge with 



