308 
CRUISE OF H.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
terminating the wavy line of palms ; then the 
Punchbowl Hill, a very perfect extinct crater, bright 
and brilliant in the sunshine. By noon we were 
close to the coral reef where lay at anchor the U.S. 
flag-ship Pensacola , rolling about in the long swell. 
After waiting a short time, the pilot came alongside, 
and we steamed into the harbour. The surf ran 
high as we passed through the narrow channel and 
entered the quiet and placid haven of rest, where we 
anchored very near the shore. We were speedily 
surrounded with boats and canoes, with enterprising 
tradesmen for orders, or natives for the washing. 
All along the shore were the neat wood and grass 
houses and huts of the natives, and away in either 
direction was the city of Honolulu, hidden behind 
palms, bread-fruit, bananas, and other trees, with 
the public buildings and church spires just showing 
above all. 
The city is built on a narrow strip of land very 
little above the level of the sea, and at the foot of a 
number of volcanic hills, which rise almost perpen- 
dicularly behind, clad in refreshing green, and cleft 
by deep, cool, chasm-like valleys. This island (Oahu), 
though neither the largest nor the most fertile of the 
group, was originally selected, from its geographical 
position, as the seat of the Hawaiian Government. 
It is now ninety-seven years ago that these islands 
were first discovered by Captain Cook, and as late as 
1830 the city of Honolulu consisted of only a few grass 
