BOWDITCH ISLAND. 35 



taatua, island of Savaii. They had constant rain and squally weather, 

 with a strong gale of wind from the northwest. 



I was somewhat in hopes that this visit would have led to a further 

 knowledge of the interior of Savaii, and of its numerous craters, 

 which would have enabled us to make a comparison with those of 

 Hawaii, for, from appearances, and so far as information could be 

 obtained, the discharges from the terminal crater of Savaii must be 

 similar with those of Mauna Loa. It will be recollected that Dr. 

 Pickering endeavoured, during our first visit to the Satnoan Group, 

 to reach what was termed the "run" or burnt district, and which 

 no doubt resembles the flows of lava that have taken place on Hawaii, 

 of which particular descriptions have been given. 



The weather was so unfavourable, that Captain Hudson deemed 

 it imprudent to make any delay in so exposed a roadstead, and they 

 accordingly left it, after ascertaining its position, and making a 

 farther survey and examination of it. 



The town of Mataatua is beautifully situated on a bay, which is 

 no more than a mere indentation of the coast. It is surrounded by 

 extensive cocoa-nut groves, behind which the houses are built, in 

 number about four hundred. The town contains about two thou- 

 sand inhabitants, most of whom are still heathens, and their conduct 

 proved it as much as their looks, for they were more rude and ill- 

 looking than any other natives observed in the group, and reminded 

 the officers of the Feejeeans. This place is the residence of Mr. 

 Pratt, a missionary, who has been established here since the visit of 

 the Porpoise. 



Captain Hudson considers the bay of Mataatua as much exposed at 

 all seasons; but between the 1st of December and the end of March, 

 when the north and northwest winds and gales prevail, it is quite 

 dangerous, and should not be visited. 



The natives of Savaii are well acquainted with Uea or Wallis 

 Island, to the westward. The west point of the bay is called Ma- 

 tauea, " face of Uea," after the name of the island in that direction. 



Some of their spears, clubs, &c, were quite different from those 

 used among the other Samoans, and were in all probability derived 

 from the above island. These facts, in connexion with the winds at 

 this season, are satisfactory evidence that there is no difficulty in the 

 natives migrating to the eastward ; indeed, if they are driven off by 

 unforeseen storms, this is the season that these accidents would be 



