96 PITCAIRN'S ISLAND. 
rolling billows from the southward, larger and 
higher than any I had seen before. The winds 
were variable, but blew chiefly from the SS.W., 
W. and W.N.W. We had very seldom a gale 
to the eastward ; so that we were prevented 
from keeping in a high south latitude, and were 
constantly driving to the northward."* 
Pitcairn's Island, distant about 1,200 miles 
from Otaheite, is of volcanic origin. The pecu- 
liar features of the volcanic islands, of which 
there are several in the South Seas, show that 
they have been elevated from the bed of the 
ocean by the resistless force of fire, which has 
given a vertical character, and jagged outline, 
to their rocky mountains, and greatly increased 
the wild beauties of their scenery. Pitcairn is 
in latitude 25 4' south, and longitude 130 8' 
west ; and the highest point is about 1,008 feet 
above the level of the sea. In clear weather 
the island may be seen at forty miles' distance. 
It is four miles and a half in circumference, one 
mile and a half being the greatest length. The 
climate, which is just without the tropics, is 
adapted for the production of useful vegetables, 
which form the chief article of food : Irish and 
sweet potatoes, yams, bread-fruit, a vegetable 
called taro (Arum esculentum) , pumpkins, Indian 
maize, and beans. Here and there are patches 
of the tobacco-plant, and sugar-canes. The 
fruits are pines, plantains, and bananas, oranges, 
limes, melons, a species of apple, and cocoa-nuts. 
* Voyage round the World, by Captain P. Carteret, Com- 
mander of H.M. Sloop, Swallow, in 1766-7-8-9. Passage from 
Mas-afuera to Queen Charlotte's Islands, chap. iii. 
