BOWDITCH ISLAND. 33 



to this party, as well as those to Lieutenant Emmons, will be found in 

 Appendix II. 



Neither of these parties succeeded in their attempts. The reports 

 of the officers are also included in Appendix II. 



On the evening of the 5th, they anchored in the roadstead of Ma- 

 taatu, island of Savaii. They had constant rain and squally weather, 

 with a strong gale of wind from the northwest. 



I was somewhat in hopes that this visit would have led to a further 

 knowledge of the interior of Savaii, and of its numerous craters, which 

 would have enabled us to make a comparison with those of Hawaii, 

 for, from appearances, and so far as information could be obtained, the 

 discharges from the terminal crater of Savaii must be similar with 

 those of Mauna Loa. It will be recollected that Dr. Pickering endea- 

 voured, during our first visit to the Samoan Group, to reach what was 

 termed the " run" or burnt district, and which no doubt resembles the 

 flows of lava that have taken place on Hawaii, of which particular 

 descriptions have been given. 



The weather was so unfavourable, that Captain Hudson deemed it 

 imprudent to make any delay in so exposed a roadstead, and they ac- 

 cordingly left it, after ascertaining its position, and making a farther 

 survey and examination of it. 



The town of Mataatu is beautifully situated on a bay, which is 

 no more than a mere indentation of the coast. It is surrounded by 

 extensive cocoa-nut groves, behind which the houses are built, in 

 number about four hundred. The town contains about two thou- 

 sand inhabitants, most of whom are still heathens, and their conduct 

 proved it as much as their looks, for they were more rude and ill- 

 looking than any other natives observed in the group, and reminded 

 the officers of the Feejeeans. This place is the residence of Mr. Pratt, 

 a missionary, who has been established here since the visit of the Por- 

 poise. 



Captain Hudson considers the bay of Mataatu as much exposed at 

 all seasons; but between the 1st of December and the end of March, 

 when the north and northwest winds and gales prevail, it is quite dan- 

 gerous, and should not be visited. 



The natives of Savaii are well acquainted with Uea or Wallis Island, 

 to the westward. The west point of the bay is called Matauea, " face 

 of Uea," after the name of the island in that direction. 



Some of their spears, clubs, &c, were quite different from those 

 used among the other Samoans, and were in all probability derived 

 from the above island. These facts, in connexion with the winds at 

 this season, are satisfactory evidence that there is no difficulty in the 



vol. v. 5 



