SAMOAN GROUP. 



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siderable plain, surrounded by groves of cocoanut and bread-fruit 

 trees ; there is, however, no shelter in it for vessels. The shore is 

 skirted with coral, except near the west side, where boats may land 

 on a sandy beach. Native missionaries are located here, and the 

 inhabitants are friendly and desirous of trading. 



Near the western point of the island is a small cove for boats to 

 land, and in it the site of the large and beautiful village of Felialupo. 

 Here also supplies may be had in abundance : the natives are friendly, 

 and willing to exchange their poultry and fruit for cloth, tools, and 

 other articles. A native missionary resides here. 



Turning the western point, Asau is the next town on the north 

 side : it is situated in a deep bay, which has the appearance of being 

 a good harbor, but is closed up by a coral reef, and has only a small 

 and shallow boat-entrance on the western side. The town is very 

 populous, and the natives readily visit, in their canoes, vessels that 

 are lying off and on, with articles for trade. 



One of the natives committed a theft here, from the Porpoise, but 

 on its being represented to the chief, the articles were promptly 

 restored. The Bay of Asau contains the only coral that is to be met 

 with on this side of the island. 



The next harbor, or rather roadstead, is Mataatu : it is situated at 

 the extreme north point of the island ; but one mile in length and a 

 little over half a mile deep : it is exposed to the sea from the north 

 to the west. The eastern point projects but a short distance beyond 

 the reef. The shore is skirted by a fringe of coral, 1000 yards wide, 

 on which the sea breaks at all times, and frequently very heavily. 

 There are two boat-openings through it to the shore, which are at 

 times difficult to pass into when there is much surf, as the sea when 

 retreating leaves them nearly dry, particularly at low water ; making 

 it impossible to get off either wood or water, except between half tide 

 and high water. The soundings in the roadstead are very regular, 

 varying from 8 to 10 fathoms, which depth is carried to near the 

 shore reef : the bottom is hard black sand. 



The best landing is near the northeast point of the bay, in a bight 

 formed by the reef, where a small vessel might find protection and 

 anchorage. This is convenient in the fine season, but during 

 that portion of the year (from December to March) when the north 

 and northwest winds blow, becomes extremely dangerous, as the sea 



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