172 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
the wind or sea might give to the vessel. Sometimes 
they approach the shore with a native standing or sitting 
on the extremity of the plank, and presenting a singular 
appearance, which it is‘ impossible to behold without 
expecting every undulation of the sea will detach him 
from his apparently insecure situation, and precipitate him 
into the water. 
Single^ or Island Canoe, 
This kind of canoe is principally employed in the voyages 
which the natives make to Tetuaroa, a cluster of islands, 
five in number; the names of which are Rimatu, Onehoa, 
Moturua, Hoatere, and Reiona; these are enclosed in one 
reef, in which there is an opening on the north-west, but 
only such as to admit, and that with difficulty, their own 
canoes. The whole cluster is called Tetuaroa. They are 
low coralline islands, the highest parts being not more than 
three or four feet above the water, and the only soil they 
contain is composed of sand and fragments of coral, with 
which is mingled vegetable mould produced on the 
islands, or carried from Tahiti. The chief article of food 
produced in these islands is the fruit of the cocoa-nut 
