184 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
We were soon surrounded with canoes and natives, 
who were indeed fine fellows, of a light brown com- 
plexion. These people have been described as the 
flower of the Polynesian race, and those alongside 
seemed worthy of the title. 
Only a short stay was made at this interesting 
group of the Western Pacific, as it was necessary to 
get on our way, so as to meet the favourable mon- 
soons in the Chinese seas. But, short as it was, every 
opportunity was taken of seeing the surrounding 
country. 
The town of Nukalofa, off which we anchored, 
is prettily situated in a bread-fruit and cocoa-nut 
grove, which gives it a pleasing shady appearance, 
and yet is sufficiently open to admit the cool refresh- 
ing breezes of the trade-wind. Facing the sea are 
the government offices, the residence of the king, the 
governor, &c., while the native houses are prettily 
situated in a valley at the back. The houses are 
lightly constructed of bamboo and palm leaves, and 
are, for the most part, surrounded with little in- 
closures, shut in by fences made of cocoa-nut fibre 
and leaves, shaded by bread-fruit and other varieties 
of tropical trees of luxuriant foliage. 
We had frequent opportunities of seeing the king, 
who, since embracing Christianity, has taken the 
name of George Tabu ; he and his queen, Charlotte, 
expressed a wish during our stay to have their 
portraits taken. This was attended to, and for the 
