CHAPTER VIII. 



SAMOAN GROUP. 



The Samoan Group was believed to be a discovery of Roggewein, 

 in 1590, who named them the Bauman Isles ; but as the whole group 

 did not agree in size, shape, or form, with his description, it has been 

 discarded, and they have become known, since they were seen by 

 Bougainville, as the Navigators' Group. The first intercourse with 

 these islands, and particularly that of La Perouse, produced the im- 

 pression that these islanders were warlike savages : their bad name 

 caused them to be seldom visited, and little has been known about 

 them until within a few years back, since which they have assumed 

 their native name, and their characters are better understood. 



This fine group consists of eight islands, viz., Savaii, Upolu, 

 Tutuila, Manua, Oloosinga, Ofoo, Manono, Apolima, and Rose Island. 

 They are all volcanic, except the last, which is a small coral island, 

 with a lagoon. Savaii is the most western and largest, and Rose 

 Island the most eastern and smallest. They are embraced within 

 the longitude of 168° and 173° west, and between the latitude of 

 13° 30' and 14° 30' south. 



All are inhabited except Rose Island. The two most important 

 are Upolu and Tutuila, both as regards their productions, as well as 

 the number of fine harbors they offer for vessels ; for these they are, 

 with but one exception, indebted to the coral reefs : this exception is 

 that of Pago-pago, in the Island of Tutuila, which is completely land- 

 locked, and will be described in its proper place. 



These islands afford all kinds of refreshments in abundance, parti- 

 cularly those that are the productions of Polynesia, and since the 

 establishment of the missionaries, the attempt to introduce neat cattle 

 has been so successful, that they will be shortly able to supply beef at 

 a reasonable price. 



The weather from April to December is generally fine, but from 



