TAHITI. 21 



dispose of any portion of their soil. They find in its possession an 

 acknowledged right to rank and respectability, and it spontaneously 

 yields them and their followers the means of subsistence. So powerful 

 is this repugnance to the admission of foreigners to any of the privileges 

 arising from a possession of land, that those who are attempting to 

 cultivate sugar, &c, hold their leases by so uncertain a tenure as to 

 prevent their making any permanent improvement. 



The canoes at Tahiti show an evident improvement on those of the 

 Disappointment Islanders ; the bottom is constructed of one piece. 

 They use an out-rigger, and have a projection over the stern for land- 

 ing. The paddle is also different. 



COMMON TAHITIAN CANOE. 



The fertile portion of the island of Tahiti lies in the valleys, which 

 are of small extent, and in the plain which extends from the sea-shore 

 to the spurs of the mountains. These produce tropical plants in great 

 abundance and luxuriance, and are probably not exceeded in fertility 

 by any portion of the earth's surface. The climate of this region is 

 warm but not enervating, and is well adapted for the enjoyment of all 

 the pleasures of life. To this climate the habits and pursuits of the 

 natives are well adapted, or rather they are its necessary results. 

 Their disposition leads them to the quiet enjoyment of the beautiful 

 scenes around them. Their cottages are to be found in retired and 

 lovely spots, and are usually surrounded by neatly-fenced enclosures. 

 In these, which are often of considerable extent, are to be seen grow- 

 ing the bread-fruit, vi-apple, and orange, and sometimes extensive 

 groves of tall cocoa-nut trees. In one corner are the patches of taro 

 and sweet-potatoes. 



The cottages are of an oval form, usually about fifty or sixty feet 

 in length, and twenty in breadth. The walls are formed of bamboos 

 set in the ground, with intervals of about an inch between them, for 

 the admission of light and air. To the top of these a plate-piece of 

 the hibiscus, a light and strong wood, is lashed with sinnet. From 

 this the rafters rise on all sides, and meet in a ridge, wdiich is about 

 half the length of the building. The rafters touch each other, and are 

 covered with small mats made of the pandanus-leaf. These are closely 

 fitted together, and lapped over each other, forming an impervious and 

 durable roof. The floor is the natural earth ; there are no partitions, 



