[57] See Appendix V.
[58] Of this wonderful bird a cast was moulded in gypsum, and has been sent to the great International Exhibition, 1862.
[59] See Appendix.
XX.
Tahiti.
Duration of Stay From 11th To 28th January, 1859.
State of the island at the close of last century.—The London Missionary Society and its emissaries.—Great mortality among the native population.—First arrival of Catholic Priests in Oceania.—French Protectorate and its consequences.—The Tahitian Parliament and Tahitian debaters.—William Howe.—Adam Kulczycki.—Scientific aims and achievements.—The Catholic mission.—Pré Catalan and native dances.—Prisoners of war from New Caledonia.—Point Venus.—Guava-fields.—The fort of Fautáua.—Lake Waiiria.—Popular Fête at Faáa.—Ball given by the Governor.—Queen Pomáre.—Geographical notes on Tahiti and Eimeo.—Climate.—Vegetation.—The Kawa root, and the intoxicating drink produced from it.—Great expense of the French Stations in Oceania.—Projects of reform.—Results of English and French colonization.—Two convicts.—Departure.—The Whaler Emily Morgan.—Attempt to fix the zero point of magnetic declination.—"Colique végétale."—A victim.—Pitcairn Island.—A fire-side tale of the tropical world.—An accident without ill results.—Humboldt's Current.—Arrival at Valparaiso.