SAMOA 
503 
and ashes, which are evidently of very recent origin, so 
that the native tradition of the last eruption having taken 
place only 200 years ago is probably correct. In the 
north-west of the island are also many miles of lava- 
plains, but little altered ; and in the east there is an older 
and larger lava-bed partly decomposed and covered with 
a scanty vegetation. In spite of a considerable rainfall, 
Savaii possesses only a single river, owing to the porous 
nature of the vesicular lava, which offers a large extent 
of heated surface, so as to evaporate the greater part of 
the moisture, while the remainder sinks down and appears 
as springs near the coast. The mountainous interior is 
thus entirely waterless and barren, so that even the 
natives cannot traverse it. It is a solitude destitute of 
animal life, alternately parched by a tropical sun and 
deluged by fierce rain-storms, and affording neither food 
nor permanent water. The narrow belt of fertile soil 
which in places extends between the mountains and the 
sea is, however, exceedingly beautiful, covered with a 
luxuriant vegetation, and with lofty groves of coco-nut 
and fruit trees. It supports a population of about 
12 , 000 . 
Upolu, the next island to the eastward, is the most 
important of the group. It is extremely fertile, and con¬ 
tains the capital, Apia, which is the residence of numer¬ 
ous Europeans. A range of small mountains, 2000 feet 
in height, runs through its entire length, the peak of 
Tafua, at the western end, forming a perfectly rounded 
lava-cone, with a crater filled with dense forest. Another, 
Lauto, forms a crater-lake. The island is forest-clad to 
its highest point, and the scenery of the southern shore 
is magnificent. The town of Apia contains numerous 
stores, chiefly German and American ; various schools 
and churches, hotels and other buildings. It is, in fact, 
