514 



TOMBS — rOMARE SUGAR. 



Nov. 



they detained us, sitting upon the sandy beach, till we could 

 stop no longer. 



18th. Mr. Wilson went with me in a boat to Papiete, the 

 most frequented harbour of Otaheite. We passed inside the 

 reefs, by narrow twisting passages among the coral rocks. 

 Seeing two marks set up on an extensive rocky flat, partially 

 covered by the water, I concluded they were placed as bea- 

 cons ; but was told they were tabu (taboo) marks to keep 

 people from fishing or picking up shells upon the queen''s 

 ' preserve.* We passed the royal burying-ground, which is 

 adorned by that peculiar tree, the aito, whose wood is so hard 

 that it is called iron-wood. This tree looks like the English 

 yew. It is purposely planted by the natives near their bury- 

 ing-grounds, and used to be considered sacred. Another 

 remarkable tree, resembling (although larger and finer than) the 

 ilex, also casts a solemn shade over the tomb of Pomare.* 



The point of land on which the tombs and one of the royal 

 houses stand, is one of the most agreeable places on the 

 island, in point of position ; and was a favourite residence 

 of old Pomare. A portion of their superstition hangs about the 

 natives yet : I could not persuade them to approach the tomb 

 of their king, although they told me to go and look at it. The 

 tomb is a plain mass of masonry, sheltered by a roof of wood. 



At Toanoa, between this place (called Papavva) and Pa- 

 piete, we saw Mr. BicknelFs sugar-mill. The sugar made there 

 from native cane is of a very good quality, and cheap. Mr. 

 Bicknell told me that the natives brought their canes to him ; 

 and that latterly he had given up growing and attending to 

 them himself. Noticing a large deficiency in some lead-work, 

 he remarked : " That lead was stolen in the last civil war; 

 our books were then in high request, not to be read, but to 

 make cartridges." That such a sad misapplication of numbers 

 of books sent out by missionary societies, has also occurred in 

 New Zealand, as well as among the eastern Indian nations, I 

 have heard from many quarters. 



* The late king-. 



