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HYDROGRAPHY. 



December till the end of March, long and heavy rains prevail, and 

 the gales are frequent from the northwest and west, with much bad 

 weather. The climate may be termed variable ; the mean temperature 

 is between 75° and 82°, and the mean height of the barometer 30128 

 inches. Destructive hurricanes are at times experienced on these 

 islands, as well as in the neighborhood of the group. 



SAVAII. 



Savaii is the largest island of the group, was known by the first dis- 

 coverers under the name of Pola, and since then it has been called 

 Chatham Island, Shaore, and Otuwhy. Its length lies east and west 

 40 miles, and its width north and south 20 miles. The surface of 

 the island is much broken by numerous cone craters, which appear 

 on all sides. The land gradually rises towards the centre, until it 

 reaches an elevation of not less than 4000 feet, apparently terminated 

 by a large crater. The natives describe it as a mass of stone ; and, if 

 we may judge from appearances, it is mostly covered with volcanic 

 eruptions proceeding from a terminal crater. 



Savaii is devoid of harbors ; the whole southern and western 

 portion being an iron-bound shore, alternating with small sandy 

 beaches, on which the sea breaks with much violence. 



The eastern end, though having extensive outlying reefs, has no 

 opening, except for boats, and the area within is filled up by exten- 

 sive coral patches. 



Near the southeast end there is a large bay, called Paluale ; the 

 reef, however, extends across it and closes it from the sea : the shore 

 can only be approached through the narrow boat-openings which lie 

 on its western side. The village at this place is prettily situated, and 

 is the residence of a missionary. Here a vessel may lie off and on till 

 a boat can be sent in for supplies. Formerly, those who attempted to 

 land for supplies found it necessary to take every precaution to pre- 

 vent being cut off, by a noted chief, called Opotuno ; the officers and 

 crews were oftentimes maltreated, and even murdered. The change 

 that has been wrought among this people by the missionaries is so 

 great, that there is little or no danger at the present time. 



From this bay the coast trends west 14 miles, then northwest 6 

 miles, until the deep bight, forming the Bay of Salealoua, is reached. 

 The village of Salealoua is situated at the head of the bay, on a con- 



