134 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, within. Whether this irregularity be the consequence of unequal 
^ growth, or of the original inclination of the foundation, is a question 
/826 excited much interest. All the islands we subsequently visited 
were similar to these in having their weather or eastern side more 
advanced than the opposite one. The outer side of the wall springs 
from unfathomable depths; the inner descends with a slope to about 
120 or 150 feet below the surface. This abruptness causes the sea to 
break and expend its fury upon the reef without disturbing the waters 
in the lagoon. The coral animals consequently rear their delicate 
structure there without apprehension of violence ; and form their sub- 
marine grottoes in all the varied shapes which fancy can conceive. 
They have already encircled each of the islands with a barrier, which 
they are daily extending ; and have reared knolls so closely as almost 
to occupy all the northern part of the lagoon. More independent 
tribes are in other parts bringing to the surface numerous isolated 
columns, all tending to the same end ; and all seems to be going on 
with such activity, that a speculative imagination might picture to 
itself at no very remote period, one vast plain covering the whole 
surface of the lagoon, yielding forests of bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, and 
other trees, and ultimately sustenance to a numerous population, and 
a variety of animals subservient to their use. 
The general steepness of the volcanic islands of this groupe is such, 
that the soil finds a resting-place on a comparatively small portion of 
them ; and on the coral islands it is scarcely deep and rich enough, 
exposed as it is to the sea air, to contribute much to the support of 
man. A soil formed from the decomposition of the basaltic rocks, irri- 
gated by streams from the mountains, requires nothing but a due pro- 
portion of care and labour on the part of the natives to render it very 
productive. There is, however, a sad neglect in this respect, which is 
the more extraordinary, as there are no quadrupeds or poultry on the 
islands, and without vegetable productions the natives have only the 
sea to depend upon for their subsistence. The wild productions are a 
coarse grass ( Saccharum fatuum), which covers such parts of the moun- 
tains as are neglected, or are too steep for cultivation. Lower down 
we noticed the capparidia, a procumbent pentandrous shrub, the 
