Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

508 DISCOVERIES OTAHEITE. NoV. which it is known to the islanders of the archipelago. A few hours afterwards we ranged along the shore of another and much larger island, or rather group of islets, till then not laid down in any chart, the native name of which is Cavahi. We saw a number of islets covered with cocoa-nut trees, surround- ing a lagoon ; but could not delay to examine the south side, because we had been so unexpectedly detained by contrary winds, and I was very anxious about the chronometer mea- surement, the interval being already considerable. Hastening on, therefore, we passed between the Elizabeth and Wittgenstein (or Faarava) groups, which are similar to Cavahi in appearance, and carried a press of sail to reach the Society Islands. It was singular that directly we were clear of the Low Islands, we got into a steady trade-wind, such as we had enjoyed before seeing Honden Island ; and were no more troubled by westerly wind, or squalls, till long after we had left Otaheite* and were approaching near New Zealand. 15th. Early this morning we saw Otaheile; but clouds hanging over the high land and a haziness about the horizon, at first disappointed our expectations. As the sun rose higher, the clouds shrunk away, vanishing as they rolled along the grandly formed mountains : high, sharp, irregular peaks, and huge masses of rock appeared between the mists, and again were hidden — deep vallies or glens show^ed darkly, and while the shadows passed, seemed to be denied the light of day. Strik- ingly different in appearance were the lower hills and dales, and the richly wooded land at the sea-side. There the bright sunshine heightened the vivid and ever-varying tints of a rich verdure. The beautiful alternation of light and shade, each moment changing as the flitting shadows passed over every kind * Some diversity of opinion has arisen respecting the spelling of this name. No person now doubts that Tahiti is the native word, and there- fore the most correct to be used when talking to Polynesian islanders, or writing for them ; but as our immortal countryman, Cook, wrote Ota- heite, and it is difficult to hear or see the word without thinking of him, I shall beg to be allowed the same privilege that Frenchmen claim when writing ' Londres,' or Englishmen ^jhen they write ' Sicily;' and for the future use only the word Otaheite.