THE PACIFIC OCEAN, 329 
frequently called it) Tonga, is about twenty leagues in 1 777, 
circuit, fomewhat oblong, though, by much, broadeft at ' , 
the Eaft end; and its greateft length from Eaft to Weft. The 
South fhore, w r hich I faw in 1773, is ftraight, and conftfts 
of coral rocks, eight or ten feet high, terminating perpen¬ 
dicularly, except in fome places where it is interrupted by 
fmall fandy beaches; on which, at low water, a range of 
black rocks may be feen. The Weft end is not above five 
or fix miles broad, but has a fhore fomewhat like that of 
the South fide ; whereas the whole North fide is environed 
with fhoals and ifiands, and the fhore within them low 
and fandy. The Eaft fide or end is, moft probably, like the 
South; as the fhore begins to afiume a rocky appearance, 
toward the North Eaft point, though not above feven or 
eight feet high. 
The ifland may, with the greateft propriety, be called a 
low one, as the trees, on the Weft part, where we now lay 
at anchor, only appeared; and the only eminent part, 
which can be feen from a fhip, is the South Eaft point; 
though many gently riling and declining grounds are ob- 
fervable by one who is afhore. The general appearance of 
the country does not afford that beautiful kind of landfcape 
that is produced from a variety of hills and valleys, lawns, 
rivulets, and cafcades; but, at the fame time, it conveys to 
the fpediator an idea of the moft exuberant fertility, whe¬ 
ther we refpedt the places improved by art, or thofe ftill in 
a natural ftate; both which yield all their vegetable pro¬ 
ductions with the greateft vigour, and perpetual verdure. 
At a diftance, the furface feems entirely clothed with trees 
of various fizes ; fome of which are very large. But, above 
the reft, the tail cocoa-palms always raife their tufted 
heads; and are far from being the fmalleft ornament to 
Vol. I. U 11 any 
