Nothing Is More
Probable Than, That On Every New Track Other Islands Of This Kind Will
Still Be Met With, And Particularly Between The 16th And 17th Degree
Of S. Latitude, No Navigator Having Hitherto Run Down On That Parallel
Towards The Society Islands.
It remains a subject worthy the
investigation of philosophers, to consider from what probable
principles these islands are so extremely numerous, and form so great
an archipelago to windward of the Society Islands, whilst they are
only scattered at considerable distances beyond that group of
mountainous islands?
It is true, there is another archipelago of coral
ledges far to the westward, I mean the Friendly Islands; but these are
of a different nature, and appear to be of a much older date; they
occupy more space, and have a greater quantity of soil, on which all
the vegetable productions of the higher lands may be raised." - G.F.
How far the opinions here stated are supported by subsequent
investigation, will be afterwards considered. - E.
[3] "The lagoon within this island was very spacious, and several
canoes sailed about upon it. It appears to me, that the most elevated
and richest spots on the coral ledges, are generally to leeward,
sheltered from the violence of the surf. In this sea, however, there
are seldom such violent storms, as might make these isles
uncomfortable places of abode; and when the weather is fair, it must
be very pleasant sailing on the smooth water in the lagoon, whilst the
ocean without is disagreeably agitated." - G.F.
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