860 
SOUTH SEA 
the blood of the animal that inhabits this shell is of a 
deep blue colour, and could be used as ink. On the 
following day we again saw some large sperm whales, 
which appeared to be from their motions upon their 
feeding ground, or located for a short time. 
At ten a.m. on the 30th, we had the island of Moro- 
toi in sight, one of the Sandwich Islands. By three 
p.m. we were close in with the west end of Mowee ; and 
running close under its shore, we passed through the 
channel which lies between it and Morotoi, enjoying 
during our passage through it a beautiful view of the 
picturesque island of Mowee, which gently rises from 
the ocean on this side, forming a regular ascent of even 
land, until the waist of the mountain is reached, when 
a series of gullies or ravines present themselves in its 
surface, but the same angular ascent is kept until the 
• peak loses itself in the clouds. Along the whole of its 
western margin we observed every now and then a few 
small houses, to which were added small plantations of 
beautiful trees, of a most refreshing and lovely green, 
that stood in tufts here and there, altogether present- 
ing a most interesting diversity of views. The grass 
that covered the greater part of the slope, and which 
was burnt of different hues by the intense heat of the 
sun, formed a pleasing contrast, when compared with 
the luxuriant and rich green verdure of the trees. At 
six p.m. we cast anchor opposite the town of Mowee, 
which can now boast of a very creditable church, in 
which the Christian religion is taught. They have also 
a fort standing upon the edge of the sea, which mounts 
