TAHITI AND EIMEO. 45 



specimens were obtained of Helices, Patulas, Cyclostomas, Curocollas, 

 and Pupas ; after this, they continued ascending, the ridge gradually 

 becoming narrower, until they reached a spot on the ridge where there 

 was not room for one person to pass by another, and where they could 

 look down a precipice on each side to depths of two thousand feet. 



Plants that were below of small size here grew into large woody 

 shrubs ; among them a species of Epacris was found growing luxuri- 

 antly along the crest of the ridges, and magnificent arborescent ferns 

 on the mountain sides, some of them forty feet in height; another 

 species was seen whose fronds were more than twenty feet in length. 

 Their path was much impeded by the tangled ferns and wiry grass 

 (Gleichenia), which it was impossible to get through without the aid 

 of a knife or a hatchet. They had now reached four thousand five 

 hundred feet, the highest point yet attained, according to the guide, by 

 white men ; two o'clock had arrived, and as there was no place where 

 they could encamp, or any chance of reaching a point suitable for 

 passing the night in, by the advice of Vahaore they allowed him to 

 look for one. The mountain top was still estimated to be six miles 

 distant ; they had little doubt that it could be ascended by following the 

 ridge, and it was thought that they could accomplish the task if time 

 permitted. The day was fine, and they enjoyed a view of the whole 

 mountain, which appeared as if it were the centre, from which the 

 different ridges of the island radiate in ten or twelve directions towards 

 the coast, having deep and narrow valleys between them, through 

 which the mountain torrents rush ; these valleys spread out as they 

 approach the coast, and the ridges become more rounded and 

 accessible. 



After reconnoitring the ground for some time, Vahaore recollected 

 a place where they might pass the night, which he thought was not far 

 distant. He therefore immediately began to break a road, which he 

 continued for about a quarter of a mile along the ridge. He then 

 reached a place where the descent might be made, which, however, 

 to all appearances, presented as few facilities for the purpose as any 

 they had before looked at. They, however, tried it, and after a hard 

 scramble reached, about sunset, the place he sought. The descent was 

 estimated to be about two thousand feet, and was performed partly by 

 leaping from tree to tree, and partly by lowering one another by ropes 

 over precipitous ledges from ten to twelve feet in height. In the 

 words of Sacket, " No man in his senses ever went down such a place 

 before, and none but a fool would attempt to do so again." At the foot 

 of the descent lay the first valley, and they found themselves among 

 groves of the wild banana (fahies). 



