. PITCAIRN'S ISLAND. 109 
may be obtained at some distance, anchorage is 
seldom resorted to, the state of the ground being 
such as to cause a risk of losing the anchor. 
Lofty bristling rocks, one of which is called 
St. Paul's Point, rise perpendicularly from the 
sea ; and cliffs, with clumps of cocoa-nut trees 
at their base, are seen, as the boats approach 
the beach, which is shingly, and very narrow at 
the place of landing. The landing is effected 
in the boats of the natives ; these being better 
suited than ships' boats for passing the breakers. 
" Having set foot on shore," says Mr. Brodie, 
who was there in March, 1850, " you ascend a 
steep hill, almost a cliff, for about three hundred 
yards, to a table -land, planted with cocoa-nut 
trees, which is called the market-place, about a 
quarter of a mile beyond which, at the north end 
of the island, lies the settlement, flanked by a 
grove of cocoa-nut trees, kumeras, plantains, &c. 
which make the approach very picturesque." * 
Though the island, according to Captain Car- 
teret, owes its name to young Mr. Pitcairn, he 
having been the first native of this kingdom who 
noted the place, it was doubtless once known by 
some other name, which is now lost. All traces 
of its former inhabitants have also disappeared. 
A few human skeletons, idols, and weapons 
were discovered there by the mutineers. Thus 
it has become a clear matter of fact, that the 
island was inhabited previously to their arrival. 
Overlooking Bounty Bay is a lofty peak, within 
100 yards of which were found on a rock four 
* Pitcairn's Island and the Islanders, in 1850. By Walter 
Brodie. 
