330 
A VOYAGE TO 
1777. any country that produces them. The boogo> which is a 
«_ fpecies of fig, with narrow pointed leaves, is the largeft 
fized tree of the ifland; and on the uncultivated fpots, efpe- 
cially toward the fea, the moft common bullies and fmall 
trees are the pandanus ; feveral forts of hibifcus ; the fai- 
tanoo , mentioned more than once in the courfe of our 
voyage; and a few others. It ought alfo to be obferved, 
that though the materials for forming grand landfcapes 
are wanting, there are many of what might, at leaft, be 
called neat profpedts, about the cultivated grounds and 
dwelling-places ; but, more efpecially, about the fiatookas ; 
where fometimes art, and fometimes nature, has done much 
to pleafe the eye. 
From the fituation of Tongataboo, toward the tropic* 
the climate is more variable, than in countries farther 
within that line ; though, perhaps, that might be owing 
to the feafon of the year, which was now the winter fol- 
ftice. The winds are, for the moft part, from fome point 
between South and Eaft; and, when moderate, are com¬ 
monly attended with fine weather. When they blow 
frelher, the weather is often cloudy, though open ; and, in 
luch cafes, there is frequently rain. The wind fometimes 
veers to the North Eaft, North North Eaft, or even North 
North Weft, but never lafts long, nor blows ftrong from 
thence; though it is commonly accompanied by heavy 
rain, and clofe fultry weather. The quick fucceflion of 
vegetables has been already mentioned ; but I am not cer¬ 
tain that the changes of weather, by which it is brought 
about, are confiderable enough to make them perceptible 
to the natives as to their method of life, or rather that they 
fhould be very fenftble of the different feafons. This, 
perhaps, may be inferred from the ftate of their vegetable 
1 productions, 
4 
