362 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES 
CHAP. XIII. 
Situation, extent, and productions of Rapa—Singularity of 
its structure—Appearance of the inhabitants—Violent 
proceedings on board—Remarkable interposition of Pro- 
vidence— Visit of some natives to Tahiti—Introduction 
of Christianity into Rapa—Raivavait—Accounts of its 
inhabitants— Visit of Capt. Henry—Establishment of a 
native mission—Fatal ravages of a contagious disease 
Tuspuai—Notice of the mutineers of the Bounty—Origin 
of the inhabitants—Prevention of war—Establishment 
of salutary laws—RIMATARA—Productions—Circum- 
stances of the inhabitants—Abolition of idolatry—Ge- 
neral improvement—Rvurutu—Geological character— 
Population—Auura—His voyage to Maurua—Return 
to his native island—Destruction of the idols—Visit to 
Rurutu—Advancement of the people in knowledge, in- 
dustry, and comfort— Unjust conduct of visitors—Treat- 
ment of the shipwrecked by the natives— Progress of 
Christianity. 
Aout seven degrees nearer the equator than New 
Zealand, and thirty-six farther to the eastward, 
the lofty and many-peaked island of Rapa is situ- 
ated. The first account of this island is given by 
Vancouver, who discovered it in his passage from 
New Zealand to Tahiti, on the 22d of December, 
1791.* According to the observation made at the 
time, it was found to be situated in lat. 27. 36.8. 
* The mingled emotions of astonishment and fear, with 
which the natives regarded every thing on board Vancou- 
ver’s ship, prevented their replying very distinctly to the 
queries he proposed ; and he observes, “‘ Their answers to 
