THE MAKQUESA ISLANDS 
523 
• and the outline of their coasts. The interior is steep and 
hilly, most of the islands being about 3000 feet in height. 
All the coasts are free of coral reefs, with the exception 
of a somewhat extensive chain of rocks lying at no great 
distance from Uahuka. The islands abound in inlets, 
often forming havens, the approach to which is, however, 
frequently imperilled by the sudden gusts of wind from 
the hills. 
The soil is, on the whole, less fertile than that of 
Tahiti, and accordingly bears a less exuberant vegetation. 
On Nukahiva and Tauata the basalt towers to considerable 
heights, or at least crops out on the summits of the hills, 
thus often forming abrupt and jagged walls of imposing- 
appearance. The ground is for the most part rocky, and 
only sparingly covered with humus, though still sufficient 
to produce a rich tropical vegetation. The climate is hot 
on the coasts, but as we ascend to the higher grounds 
this tropical heat gives place to a perceptible coolness, so 
that we might almost fancy ourselves at times transplanted 
to some upland valley of our mountain districts. In 
other respects the climate is salubrious, giving rise to 
little sickness either amongst the natives or strangers. 
None of the volcanoes are active, but there are thermal 
and mineral springs. 
The aborigines of the Marquesas are usually described 
as the very finest of all the South Sea islanders, and are 
said to surpass even the Tahitians in physical beauty. 
Their complexion is of a pure healthy yellow, with a soft 
ruddy bloom on the cheeks. According to Cook they 
excel, perhaps, all other races in their symmetrical pro¬ 
portions and the regularity of their features. Tew of 
them remain, however, to enable us to judge of their 
characteristics. European vices and customs have done 
their work. The population of Nukahiva was estimated 
