192 SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



The aspect of this part of the island of Hawaii is one of 

 surpassing beauty. The country gradually declines from the 

 base of the mountain Mouna Loa, some thirty miles inland, 

 to the coast, -where it boldly and precipitately terminates. 

 The soil appears to be of the best quality, not overgrown with 

 forests and thickets, as is generally the case with those islands 

 we have heretofore visited, but extending out in a kind of 

 meadow-patches, enlivened by numerous streams, and beauti- 

 fully diversified with clusters of bread-fruit trees, so as to give 

 the whole a picturesque and at the same time an easy culti- 

 vated prospect. In entering the bay, the neatly-thatched huts 

 of the natives, situated among groups of venerable bread-fruit 

 and other trees, become more numerous, and on arriving at the 

 anchorage the scene is perfect ; for here, in addition to the 

 beauties nature has so bountifully bestowed on the surrounding 

 country, the taste and art of advancing civilization can be seen. 



The missionary families established here have built them- 

 selves houses in the European style. There are also one or 

 two stores, a neat chapel, and a mill or two for grinding cane, 

 owned by a China man. 



December 10th. This morning we sent the scientific in- 

 struments to the Observatory. This building is situated on 

 the south-eastern side of the bay ; it is thirty feet long, by 

 fifteen wide, and was, I am informed, erected expressly for 



