POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
555 
basalt^ common to all the islands, a species of granite is 
found here in considerable abundance, which presents an 
anomaly as striking in the geology of these islands, as 
that furnished by the existence of carbonate of lime in 
the island of Rurutu, where garnets are also obtained. 
Hornblende and feldspar are found in Huahine, as well 
as in some of the other islands. Ancient lava, containing 
olivine, augite, and zeolite, are also met with, together 
with pumice and cellular lava, some kinds of which, 
found in Sir Charles Sanders’ Island, are of a dark blue 
colour, and so light as to float on the water, though 
apparently containing a portion of iron. A large speci¬ 
men of the latter kind, which I have from this island, 
is more porous than any I ever met with among the 
volcanoes of the Sandwich Islands, and is so completely 
honeycomb in its structure, that it is difficult to account 
for its formation. 
After remaining some time at Borabora, we took leave 
of our friends, and sailed for Huahine. 
On our way we touched at Raiatea, and were gratified 
with the prosperous appearance of the station. It was 
then at Vaoaara, but since that period Mr. Williams, the 
only remaining Missionary, has removed to Utumaoroy 
a fine extensive district near the northern extremity of 
the island, and adjacent to the opening in the reef called 
the Avapiti^ or double entrance. This station was com¬ 
menced in 1823; and, in consequence of the extent of 
land by which it is surrounded, and the proximity of the 
harbour, has been found much more convenient than 
that formerly occupied. The improvement has been 
rapid, and the transformation so astonishing, that in a 
short period, three hundred enclosures for the culture 
of sugar, coffee, and tobacco, with other kinds of produce. 
