round, was a large area, or grass-plot, with
different trees planted about it, amongst which were several of those
called _etoa_, very large. These, as they resemble the cypress, had a
fine effect in such a place. There was, also, a row of low palms near
one of the houses, and behind it a ditch, in which lay a great number of
old baskets.

[Footnote 167: The burying places of the chiefs at the Caroline Islands,
are also inclosed in this manner. See Lettres Edifiantes & Curiouses,
tom. xv. p. 309.--D.]

After dinner, or rather after we had refreshed ourselves with some
provisions which we had brought with us from our ship, we made an
excursion into the country, taking a pretty large circuit, attended by
one of the king's ministers. Our train was not great, as he would not
suffer the rabble to follow us. He also obliged all those whom we met
upon our progress, to sit down till we had passed, which is a mark of
respect due only to their sovereigns. We found by far the greatest part
of the country cultivated, and planted with various sorts of
productions; and most of these plantations were fenced round. Some
spots, where plantations had been formerly, now produced nothing, lying
fallow; and there were places that had never been touched, but lay in a
state of nature, and yet even these were useful, in affording them
timber, as they were generally covered with trees. We met with several
large uninhabited houses, which, we were told, belonged to the king.
There were many public and well-beaten roads, and abundance of
foot-paths leading to every part of the island. The roads being good,
and the country level, travelling was very easy. It is remarkable, that
when we were on the most elevated parts, at least a hundred feet above
the level of the sea, we often met with the same coral rock, which is
found at the shore, projecting above the surface, and perforated and cut
into all those inequalities which are usually seen in rocks that lie
within the wash of the tide. And yet these very spots, with hardly any
soil upon them, were covered with luxuriant vegetation. We were
conducted to several little pools, and to some springs of water; but, in
general, they were either stinking or brackish, though recommended to us
by the natives as excellent. The former were mostly inland, and the
latter near the shore of the bay, and below high-water mark, so that
tolerable water could be taken up from them, only when the tide was out.

When we