POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
5 
the spot where he knows he shall find a passage to the 
shore. The constant aurrent passing the openings 
probably deposited on the ends of the reef fragments of 
coral, sea weeds, and drift-wood, which in time rose 
above the surface of the water. Seeds borne thither by 
the waves, or wafted by the winds, found a soil on which 
they could germinate—decaying vegetation increased 
the mould—and by this process it is most likely these 
beautiful little fairy-looking islands were formed on the 
ends of the reefs at the entrance to the different 
harbours. 
We landed on one at Tipaemau, partook of some 
refreshment under the shade the shrubbery afforded, 
while our boat’s crew climbed the trees, and after¬ 
wards made an agreeable repast on the nuts which 
they gathered. We planted, as memorials of our 
visit, the seeds of some large ripe oranges, which 
we had brought with us; then launched our boat, 
and prosecuted our voyage within the reef, towards 
the other side of the island, where the Missionary 
settlement was then established. This part of our 
voyage, for twelve or fourteen miles, was most de¬ 
lightful. The beauty of the wooded or rocky shores 
now appeared more rich and varied than before; 
the stillness of the smooth waters around was only 
occasionally disturbed by the passage of a light, 
nautilus-like canoe, with its little sail of white 
native cloth, or the rapid flight of a shoal of fly¬ 
ing-fish, which, when the dashing of our oars or 
the progress of our boat intercepted their course or 
awakened their alarm, sprang from their native ele¬ 
ment, and darted along, three or four feet above 
the water. 
