34 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
in many parts fertile 5 and though few articles of food are 
indigenous^ or when introduced grow spontaneously^ yet 
it is capable of a high state of cultivation^ and would 
probably favour not only the growth of wheat and other 
grain^ but also of many of the fruits and valuable produc¬ 
tions of the temperate and tropical climates. The moun¬ 
tains do not appear so lofty and broken as those of the 
Society Islands^ and consequently the soil may be culti¬ 
vated with greater facility. In addition to the growth 
of corn introduced by Mr. Marsden^ and the assist¬ 
ants of the Missions at the several stations^ the natives 
have long cultivated the Irish potato with facility and 
advantage. It is not indigenous^ but was left by some of 
the ships touching here^ and not only furnishes a valuable 
addition to the means of subsistence for the natives^ but 
a very acceptable article of provision for the crews of 
the vessels by whom they are visited. Other European 
roots and vegetables have been introduced^ but with less 
success. The kumara^ or sweet potato, has been long 
cultivated, although the fern root furnishes a principal 
part of the food for the common people at some seasons 
of the year. The climate is favourable for rearing cattle 
and sheep, as well as the different kinds of poultry. The 
pine timber produced in the forests is valuable, not only 
to the inhabitants, but as an article of export both to 
New South Wales and to Great Britain. The river 
Thames to the south-east is a fine and capacious 
harbour. The coasts are well stocked with fish, 
which, with potatoes and fern root, constitute the food 
of the inhabitants. These advantages, together with its 
local situation in regard to New Holland, render it of 
importance to that growing colony. 
The population of New Zealand has been estimated at 
