AFRO-INDIAN REGIONS. 



275 



c. Other Islands of the Taheitian Group. 



Early in the morning of the 27th, the Vincennes sailed from 

 Airneo; continuing her course Westward. A little before sunset, 

 'Hand" was announced from the mast-head, and was soon ascertained 

 to be the Island of Waheini : undulating, and apparently of moderate 

 elevation ; but we saw it only in the distance, and were unable to 

 distinguish any resemblance to a woman in outline, as might be in- 

 ferred from the native name. 



On the morning of the 2Sth, two high rocky islands were in sight: 

 the nearest and largest being Tahaa. Farther on, we passed the 

 much loftier Borabora ; a single mountain, rising very steeply out of 

 the sea to the clouds, in which its summit was concealed. 



A little to the Westward of Borabora, Motu-iti made its appear- 

 ance ; a low coral-island altogether similar to those already visited. 

 Whether containing a lagoon, we could not ascertain, although we 

 passed near enough to distinguish some very tall cocoa-imlms. 



In the absence of direct evidence it may be inferred, that the vege- 

 table growth continues unchanged throughout the widely-scattered 

 islands of the Society or Taheitian Group; and that these contain 

 very few species of plants that do not grow on Taheiti; this being the 

 main island. 



2. The Taheitian Mountain-region. 



The central mountain of Taheiti, above the limit of six thousand 

 feet, must present a distinct botanical region ; but its productions 

 remain for the most part unknown. - 



After the departure of the Vincennes, Mr. Dana, following a 

 different ridge, succeeded in reaching a more elevated spot than any 

 visited by myself; and found growing there, a remarkable plant be- 

 longing to the Gompositmr The specimen, being retained in the Pea- 

 cock, did not come under my observation. 



I have already mentioned : that the presence within the tropics of 

 extra-tropical tribes of plants, seems sometimes due to the presence 

 of mountains ; although the species in question may not grow on 

 mountain-summits. The mountainous character of Taheiti may there- 



