THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
105 
ruins, there are many patches of rich foil, which are care¬ 
fully laid out in plantations, and the neighbouring fea 
abounds with a variety of moft excellent fifh, with which, 
as well as with other provilions, we were always plenti¬ 
fully fupplied. Off this part of the coaft we could find no 
ground, at lefs than a cable’s length from the fliore, with a 
hundred and fixty fathoms of line, excepting in a fmall bight 
to the Eaftward of the South point, where w r e had regular 
foundings of fifty and fifty-eight fathoms over a bottom of 
fine fand. Before we proceed to the Wefiern diftridts, it 
may be neceffary to remark, that the whole Eaft fide of the 
illand, from the Northern to the Southern extremity, does 
not afford the fmalleft harbour or fhelter for fhipping. 
The South Weft parts of Akona are in the fame ftate with 
the adjoining diftridtof Kaoo ; but farther to the North, the 
country has been cultivated with great pains, and is ex¬ 
tremely populous. 
In this part of the ifland is fituated Karakakooa Bay, which 
has been already defcribed. Along the coaft nothing is feen 
but large maffes of flag, and the fragments of black fcorch- 
ed rocks; behind w r hich, the ground rifes gradually for 
about two miles and a half, and appears to have been for¬ 
merly covered with loofe burnt ftones. Thefe the natives 
have taken the pains of clearing away, frequently to the 
depth of three feet and upward; which labour, great as it 
is, the fertility of the foil amply repays. Here, in a rich, 
aftiy mould, they cultivate fweet potatoes, and the cloth- 
plant. The fields are inclofed with ftone-fences, and are in- 
terfperfed with groves of cocoa-nut trees. On the riling 
ground beyond thefe, the bread-fruit trees are planted, and 
flourifh with the greateft luxuriance. 
Koaara extends from the Wefternmoft point to the Nor- 
Vol» III. P them 
1 779 - 
March. 
V—— — \ i * r * i «i 11^ 
