224 
A VOYAGE TO 
177&. 
February. 
fituated on the lee fide of the ifland, is a little expofed to 
the trade wind; but, notwithftanding this defedt, is far 
from, being a bad ftation, and much fuperior to thofe 
which neceflity obliges fliips daily to ufe, in regions where 
the winds are both more variable and more boifterous ; as 
at Teneriffe, Madeira, the Azores, and elfewhere. The 
landing too is more eafy than at moft of thofe places; and, 
unlefs in very bad weather, always practicable. The water 
to be got in the neighbourhood is excellent, and eafy to be 
conveyed to the boats. But no wood can be cut at any 
diftance, convenient enough to bring it from, unlefs the 
natives could be prevailed upon to part with the few etooa 
trees (for fo they call the cordia febaftina), that grow about 
tjieir villages, or a fort called dooe dooe y that grow farther 
up the country. 
The land, as to its general appearance, does not, in the 
leaft, referable any of the iflands we have hitherto vifited 
within the tropic, on the South fide of the equator ; if we 
except its hills near the centre, which are high, but flope 
gently to the fea, or lower lands. Though it be deffitute of 
the delightful borders of Otaheite, and of the luxuriant 
plains of Tongataboo, covered with trees, which at once 
afford a friendly fhelter from the fcorching fun, and an 
enchanting profpedt to the eye, and food for the natives, 
which may be truly faid to drop from the trees into their 
mouths, without the laborious talk of rearing; though, I 
fay, Atooi be deflitute of thefe advantages, its poffeffing a 
greater quantity of gently-riling land, renders it, in fome 
meafure, fuperior to the above favourite iflands, as being 
more capable of improvement. 
The height of the land within, the quantity of clouds 
which we faw, during the whole time we flaid, hanging 
over 
