146 
A VOYAGE TO 
1777. and, in about three months, begins to bear fruit; during 
which time it gives young fhoots, which fupply a fucceffion 
of fruit. For the old flocks are cut down, as the fruit is 
taken off. 
The produffs of the ifland, however, are not fo remark¬ 
able for their variety, as great abundance; and curiofities 
of any kind are not numerous. Amongft thefe we may 
reckon a pond or lake of frefh water, at the top of one of 
the higheft mountains, to go to, and to return from which, 
takes three or four days. It is remarkable for its depth; 
and has eels of an enormous lize in it; which are fome- 
times caught by the natives, who go upon this water in 
little floats of two or three wild plantain-trees fattened to¬ 
gether. This is efteemed one of the greateft natural curio- 
lities of the country; infomuch, that travellers, who come 
from the other iflands, are' ’commonly afked, amongft the 
firft things, by their friends, at their return, if they have 
feen it ? There is alfo a fort of water, of which there is 
only one fmall pond upon the ifland, as far diftant as the 
lake, and to appearance very good, with a yellow fediment 
at the bottom : but it has a bad tafte, and proves fatal to 
thole who drink any quantity; or makes them break out 
in blotches, if they bathe in it. 
Nothing could make a ftronger impreflion, at firft fight, 
on our arrival here, than the remarkable contrail between 
the robuft make and dark colour of the people of Tonga- 
taboo, and a fort of delicacy and whitenefs, which diftin- 
guilh the inhabitants of Otaheite. It was even fome time 
before that difference could preponderate in favour of the 
Otaheiteans; and then only, perhaps, becaufe we became 
accuftomed to them, the marks which had recommended 
the others began to be forgotten. Their women, however, 
3 ftruck 
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