338 PAUMOTU GROUP. 



cliff appeared worn into caverns. We landed close in its neighbour- 

 hood, and on measuring its height, it proved to be two hundred and 

 fifty feet. The coral shelf was found to be five hundred feet in width, 

 extending on the north side of the island, and gradually diminishing in 

 width until it loses itself at the western end. This island has all the 

 features that one would naturally be led to expect from a low island 

 uplifted. The north, east, and west sides present a perpendicular cliff 

 or wall, but this character does not prevail on the south side, although 

 it has some high knolls. The north ridge is nearly level, and there is 

 a break through it (by which we ascended to its top) very much like 

 the opening of a lagoon. The north side is concave, and there is 

 found within the indentations between its two points, an extensive 

 inclined plane, composed of large masses of limestone and vegetable 

 mould, on which the village is situated, in a luxuriant grove of bread- 

 fruit, cocoa-nut, pandanus, and other trees, similar to those already 

 spoken of, as seen on the other islands. There were several copious 

 springs, but the natives informed me that there were no running streams 

 on the island. 



The natives all seemed delighted to see us, crowding around my 

 boat, and assisting to haul it up ; men, women, and children flocked 

 around us ; all the population were gathered, to the number of about three 

 hundred and fifty. We were at once invited to the chief's and native 

 missionary's house, situated in the centre of the village. The house 

 was constructed of the bread-fruit wood, for a frame, and reeds of the 

 wild sugar-cane for the uprights, with interstices for the passage of 

 the air, and lining of mats to exclude it when required. It was well 

 thatched, and the whole had a cool and comfortable appearance. 

 Cocoa-nuts were soon brought us, and all our questions were answered 

 with an alacrity and pleasure that showed their strong desire to oblige 

 and assist us. 



The natives had gathered in crowds around the door to look at us. 



