iversify the surface of this substance within the reach
of the tide. Indeed, we found the same coral till we began to approach
the summits of the highest hills; and it was remarkable, that these were
chiefly composed of a yellowish, soft, sandy stone. The soil there, is,
in general, a reddish clay, which, in many places, seemed to be very
deep. On the most elevated part of the whole island, we found a round
platform, or mount of earth, supported by a wall of coral stones; to
bring which to such a height, must have cost much labour. Our guides
told us, that this mount had been erected by order of their chief; and
that they, sometimes, meet there to drink/_kava_. They called it
_etchee_; by which name, an erection which we had seen at Tongataboo, as
already mentioned, was distinguished. Not many paces from it, was a
spring, of excellent water; and, about a mile lower down, a running
stream, which, we were told, found its way to the sea when the rains
were copious. We also met with water in many little holes; and, no
doubt, great plenty might be found by digging.

From the elevation to which we had ascended, we had a full view of the
whole island, except a part of the south point. The S.E. side, from
which the highest hills we were now upon, are not far distant, rises
with very great inequalities, immediately from the sea, so that the
plains and meadows, of which there are here some of great extent, lie
all on the N.W. side; and as they are adorned with tufts of trees,
intermixed with plantations, they form a very beautiful landscape in
every point of view. While I was surveying this delightful prospect, I
could not help flattering myself with the pleasing idea, that some
future navigator may, from the same station, behold these meadows
stocked with cattle, brought to these islands by the ships of England;
and that the completion of this single benevolent purpose, independently
of all other considerations, would sufficiently mark to posterity, that
our voyages had not been useless to the general interests of humanity.
Besides the plants common on the other neighbouring islands, we found,
on the height, a species of _acrosticum, melastoma_, and fern tree, with
a few other ferns and plants not common lower down.

Our guides informed us, that all, or most of the land, on this island,
belonged to the great chiefs of Tongataboo, and that the inhabitants
were only tenants or vassals to them. Indeed, this seemed to be the case
a