284 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
stances^ in order to strengthen our conviction of the 
incalculable diminution of misery which has resulted 
from their reception of the gospel^ and the temporal 
blessings it has imparted. 
Although we discontinued our stated services in Maeva, 
we visited those who resided there^ and only came occa¬ 
sionally to the settlement. They would have taken up 
their residence in Fare, but the plantations and fisheries 
required their attention. When proceeding across the 
beautiful lake, bordered by the shores of Maeva, we often 
passed the natives employed in taking the fish, with which 
every part of its waters abound. 
Many of the islanders are fishermen by profession, and 
most of those residing near the shore, derive a great part 
of their subsistence from the sea. Fish are found on 
their coasts in great variety and abundance. Cockles are 
taken in the sands of the lake, and are remarkably sweet. 
The natives gather them in great quantities, and on pub¬ 
lic occasions they are baked and mixed with cocoa-nut 
milk. Muscles are also found in corresponding situa¬ 
tions, but not in abundance. In some bays, a small oys¬ 
ter is met with ; it is, however, inferior to the oyster 
found on the coasts of Europe, and is not eaten by the 
natives, who usually avoid the places where it abounds, 
on account of the danger to which their feet are exposed 
from the shells. Wilks and chams are abundant on the 
reefs, and are a common article of food with the poor 
people. Many varieties of the havai, or echinus, are also 
found on the reefs, and are roasted and eaten. Among 
the shell-fish taken for food, the cowrie and large turbo 
are occasionally included. Land and sea crabs are nu¬ 
merous, but not large. Though there are several kinds 
of lobsters, they are less plentiful, but very fine. Prawns 
