518 
COMPENDIUM OF GEOGRAPHY AND TRAVEL 
one place by the precipices of the S.E. coast. A railway 
is even proposed, but is not at present likely to be con¬ 
structed. Tahiti is in communication with Auckland, 
New Zealand, by means of steamers sailing every six 
weeks. 
The other windward islands are Maitea, an extinct 
volcano, which forms the eastern limit of the group; and 
Eimeo or Moorea, also volcanic, but of larger size and 
very fertile, and extraordinarily rugged and broken as 
regards its surface. 
The chief leeward islands are Huahine, Eaiatea, and 
Borabora. All are mountainous and rugged. The first- 
named has a good harbour and a population of about 
1300. Eaiatea and Tahaa resemble Tahiti in being twin 
islands, but, although surrounded by the same coral reef, 
they are not in actual contact. Eaiatea rises to a height 
of 3385 feet, and is well watered and very fertile, pro¬ 
ducing a considerable amount of cotton and copra. Its 
population of 2300 are all Protestants; there are good 
schools and a native missionary college, and the island is 
the residence of the Administrator of the Leeward group. 
A wnll-preserved morai exists^ built of enormous coral 
blocks. Borabora was formerly renowned for its warriors, 
but the natives do not now number more than 800. It 
has a large and good harbour, and its shapely cone, 
though only 2380 feet high, renders it a striking object 
from the sea. 
9. The Austral Islands and Low Archipelago. 
The Tubuai or Austral group is seldom visited even 
by the French. It consists of four chief volcanic islands, 
surrounded by coral reefs, and situate almost on the 
tropic. The climate is thus very healthy, but, owing to 
