SAMOAN GROUP. 



127 



UPOLTT. 



TJpolu is without doubt the finest island of this group. It occupies 

 almost a central position, is much diversified by hills and valleys, 

 and has many streams that irrigate and render fertile a luxuriant 

 soil, composed of volcanic and decayed vegetable matter. It has safe 

 and commodious harbors, though of no great size, formed by its sur- 

 rounding reef, which seems by nature to have been intended to facili- 

 tate commerce as well as the safety of the ships that are destined at 

 no great period of time to frequent its ports, and carry away to dis- 

 tant countries its valuable products. Upolu lies nearly east-by-south 

 and west- by-north. It is 40 miles long. Its greatest breadth is 10 

 miles, which is about one-third from its western end. At both ends 

 there are several islands, Manono and Cockscomb on the west, Fanua- 

 tapu, Namua, Nuutele, and Nuulua on the east ; these, except the 

 last two, are enclosed within its reef. 



There are two harbors on the south side, Falealili and Sanaapu ; 

 while on the north side there are six, viz., Apia, Saluafata, Falifa, 

 Fangaloa, Uafato, Latonga, and Laulii roadstead. 



The shores of the whole island are covered with a succession of 

 villages, which occupy the level spots of ground : these are more 

 extensive on the western end ; towards the eastern, the land becomes 

 more abrupt, the width of the mountain range extending from shore 

 to shore, and rising to the height of 2700 feet ; along this range there 

 are several extinct craters of volcanoes, exhibiting extensive volcanic 

 action. The localities of these are seen better on the chart of the 

 island than they can be described ; the most remarkable one is that 

 of Tofua, near the west end. These peaks form excellent landmarks, 

 and in sailing towards the island, they cannot well be mistaken, and 

 afford facilities of making the desired port without loss of time. On 

 the charts are sketches of the land. 



The harbor of Apia, though small, from its central position as well 

 as its accessibility, is the most convenient to resort to : there all sup- 

 plies for a vessel may be readily obtained, and from its having been 

 selected as the first residence of the missionaries, it has become the 

 focus of civilization, and is now the abode of the consuls of the foreign 

 powers. 



