Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-08-08
PoLYNEsIAN RESEARCHES.

a 0eugnttuI OOOks iuit VI toCte IetopuS " .
quarter Of the globe in which the Rev. author,
Mr.. Ellis, passed nearly eight years OF his life
Polynesia is the name given to the islands IN the
South Pacific, on tract Of ocean about 5000
miles by $500, and including the Ladrones, Ca
rolinas, Pelew, Friendly, Navigators, Georgian,
Harvey, Marquesas, Society and Sandwich-in
the two last of which our author spent most OF
his time. The descriptions Of scenery are accu-
rate and beautiful. Of the effect Of the trade
wind it is said-'the long rolling pillows OF the
Pacific, extending sometimes, in one unbroken
line, a mile or mile and half along the reel,
arrested, by this natural barrier, often rise ten,
twelve or fourteen feet above its surface; and
then, bending over their white foaming tops, form
apraceful LIQUID arch, slittering in the rays OF
TROPICAL sun, as if studded with briliants. But,
before the eyes of the spectator can follow the
spendid aqueous gallery which they appear to
have reared, with loud and hollow roar they fall
in magnificent desolation, and spread the gigan-
tic fabric in froth and spray upon the horizontal
and gently broken surface Of the coral"
The tide in this part Of the world is very sim
gular. 1t appears, il influenced at all. to be so
in very small degree only, by the moon The
height to which the water rises varies but lew
inches during the whole year, and at no time IS
it elevated more than foot, or foot and hall.
The sea, however, often rises to an unusual
height, but this appears to be the effect OF strong
wind blowing for some time from one quarter. or
the heavy swells Of the sea, which-aow from dit.
ferent directions, and prevail equally during the
fine of hiyh and low water. But the most re.
marksble circumstance is, the uniformity of the
time of high and low water. "Durlng the year,
whatever be the age or situation Of the moon, the
water is lowest at six in the morning, aud the
same hour in the evening, and highest at noon
. and midnight"
The vegetable productions Of the islands are
fully described. The following curious account
applies to the rata or native chestnut During
the first z or 3 years Of its growth, the stem IS
tolerably round, but after that period, it enar.
ges, instead of continuing cylindrical, it assumes
a different shape 10 4 or places round the
trunk, small projections appear. extending IN
nearly straight lines from the root to the branch
es The centre Of the tree seems to remain sta.
tiouary; while these projections increasing, at
length sssM ks AZ HAY Piazza sfxttsia sgs
round the tree. Tie centre Of the tree often
continues many years with perhaps not mqfe
than two or three inches Of wood round the me-
duls. or plth; while the mattresses, though only
about two inches thick, extend 9. 8, aud feet,
beine widest AT the bottom. {" / have observed
buttresses. not more than two inches thick,
projecting four feet from the tree, and forming
between each, natural recesses, in which have
often taken shelter during shower. When the
stree becomes old, its form is still more pictur.
esque. as a number of knots and contortions are
formed on the buttresses and branches, which
render the outlines more broken and fantastic. !"
The author gives such description Of the
prodisality Of nature in these sunny and beauti-
fui regions as very naturally suggests his own re-
flecrlons upon the heathenish character Of the "a
tves previous to the successful efforts Of the mis-
sionaries:
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