8 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Tahaa. They then proceeded within the reefs along 
the channel between the islands, to the harbour. 
Water and wood were at all times procured with 
facility from the adjacent shore; and supplies of 
stock, poultry, and vegetables might generally be 
obtained by barter with the inhabitants. The moun¬ 
tains of the interior sheltered the bay from the 
strong eastern and southerly winds; and the wide 
opening in the reef, opposite the mouth of the valley 
forming the head of the bay, favoured the depar¬ 
ture of vessels with the ordinary winds. A small 
and partially wooded island on the north side of the 
opening in the reefs opposite the harbour, distinctly 
points out the passage, and is very serviceable to 
ships going to sea. A few miles beyond the har¬ 
bour of Hamaniino, Vaoaara is situated, which was 
the former Missionary station, the residence of the 
chiefs, and principal part of the population. There 
are two open bays on the east side of the island, 
Opoa and Utumaoro. They were occasionally visited 
by shipping; and the latter has, since the removal 
of the Missionary station, become the general place 
of anchorage. But although they are secured from 
heavy waves by the reefs of coral that stretch 
along the eastern shore, they are exposed to the 
prevailing winds, excepting so far as they are shel¬ 
tered by the islands at the entrance from the sea. 
There are no lakes in Raiatea or Tahaa, but both 
islands are encircled in one reef which is in some 
parts attached to their shores, and in others rises 
to the water’s edge, at the distance of two or three 
miles from it. The water within the reefs, is as 
smooth as the surface of a lake in a gentleman’s 
