RAPA* 
363 
and long. 144.11. W. The mountains are craggy and 
picturesque, and the summits of those forming the 
high land in the centre, singularly broken, so as 
to resemble, in no small degree, a range of irre¬ 
gularly inclined cones, or cylindrical columns, 
which their discoverer supposed to be towers, or 
fortifications, manned with natives. 
It is the furthest from the equator of a number 
of scattered islands, which lie to the south of the 
Tonga, Navigators’ and Society Islands, and are 
designated by Multe Brun, The Austral Islands.* 
Rapa is about twenty miles in circumference, is 
tolerably well wooded and watered, especially on 
the eastern side. The taro, or arum, is the most 
valuable article of food the natives possess, and, 
with the fish taken on their coast, forms their chief 
subsistence. The breadfruit, mountain plantain, 
banana, cocoa-nut, and fruits, have been brought 
from Tahiti, but they do not appear to thrive. The 
eastern coasts appear the most fertile. On this 
side of the island the fine harbour of Aurai is situ¬ 
ated. The entrance is intricate, but the interior 
capacious, extending several miles inland. The 
landing on the beach is good, and fresh water 
convenient. 
almost every question were in the affirmative, and our in¬ 
quiries as to the name of their island, &c. were continually 
interrupted by incessant invitations to go on shore. At 
length, I had reason to believe the name of the island was 
Oparo , and that of their chief Korie. Although I could 
not positively state that their names were correctly ascer¬ 
tained, yet, as there was a probability of their being so, I 
distinguished the island by the name of Oparo, until it 
might be found more properly entitled to another.” The 
explicit declarations of the natives, made under more fa¬ 
vourable circumstances, have now determined Rapa to be 
the proper name of this island. 
* System of Geography, vol. ii. p. 647. 
