108 UPOLU — MANONO — SAVAII. 



Apolima, on the most cursory examination, is evidently the crater 

 of an extinct volcano. Perpendicular cliffs rise from the sea around 

 its whole circuit, except at a single point on its northern side. Here 

 the lip of the crater is broken down, and admits the water of the sea 

 into a small bay, which affords a safe harbour for boats. The entrance 

 to this is so narrow as to admit no more than one boat at a time, and 

 is dangerous whenever there is any surf. It may, therefore, be easily 

 defended. There is only one other point on the island where it is 

 possible to effect a landing, namely, at a small height to the westward 

 of the bay, and here it can only be done when the water is perfectly 

 smooth. But an enemy landing here would have made no progress, 

 for before the interior can be reached from this point, the steep and 

 precipitous rocks remain to be climbed. 



The highest point of Apolima is on its south side, where it is four 

 hundred and seventy-two feet above the sea. The perpendicular 

 cliffs which face the sea are of course bare of vegetation ; but with 

 this exception the whole surface is covered with cocoa, bread-fruit, 

 and other trees, or with plantations of taro, yams, &c. 



In the centre of the island is a village of about twenty houses, and 

 the permanent population consists of no more than about seventy-five 

 persons. The people are evidently jealous of the maiden reputation of 

 their natural fortress, and showed much concern when we visited it, 

 which the women even manifested by shedding tears. 



It can be readily understood from this description of Apolima, that 

 whatever party held it would be able to maintain possession of it 

 against great odds, and thence to take advantage of any weakness or 

 want of watchfulness on the part of their enemies. 



While we were engaged at Tutuila and Upolu, the survey of the 

 island of Savaii was performed by Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, 

 in the Porpoise. It has already been mentioned that this vessel had 

 been detached for that purpose, and that Dr. Pickering, from the 

 Vincennes, had gone in her. The brig first touched at Sapapale, the 

 residence of the Rev. Mr. Hardie, who gave them a cordial welcome, 

 although much surprised at so unusual an arrival. 



Many of the natives collected to view the white men, of whom so 

 many had never been seen together on the island. In their remarks, 

 they, among other things, praised our people for their beauty. 



Dr. Pickering and Lieutenant Maury were landed here, to remain 

 upon the island while the brig was employed in surveying it; the 

 former to examine its productions, the latter to observe the tides. 

 Mr. Hardie kindly afforded them accommodations in a new house he 

 had just been erecting. 



