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

512 INTEElOll OF HOUSE — POINT VENUS. Nov. light straw colour, aids the smooth, round purau in agree- ably surprising the eye of a stranger by a new kind of archi- tecture, as admirable as it is simple. Around the house, instead of a wall, are strong canes, regularly placed between the sup- porting posts, at distances (one or two inches) equal to the diameter of the canes ; they are driven into the ground, and secured to the roof ; one opening only is left for a door. Within are some screens of native cloth, or framed bed-places, or simply mats spread upon dry grass. There are a few low stools, some baskets, joints of bamboo holding cocoa-nut oil, and calabashes with water, besides a variety of smaller things, which I had not time to examine. What house in a tropical climate could be more agreeable than one of these elegant wicker-work cot- tages, shaded round by large trees, and profiting by the fresh air of every breeze ? Pretty shades for the face (they cannot be called hats, as they encircle and project from, without covering the head) are made with the palm -leaves. When fresh, adorned by Avhite, or deep red flowers, and tastefully placed, this head-dress is unique and pleasing. Perhaps my eyes were prejudiced in favour of features and complexion ; for the shambling gait and flat noses of the native women had no charms for me. I saw no beauty among them ; and either they are not as handsome as they were said to be, or my ideas are fastidious. The men, on the other hand, exceed every idea formed from the old descriptions. On this day, with us the l6th, but to agree with the reckon- ing of Otaheite and those who came from the west, changed to the 17th, I was fully occupied in making observations upon the spot where once stood Cook's observatory, a classical, and to us, important place. Upon the situation of this celebrated point, Venus, depend most of the geographical positions of islands in the South Sea ; and its locality upon our globe has been deemed well known. Messrs. Wales, Green, and Bayley are particularly entitled to the greatest share of credit for having by their observations attained to so great a degree of accuracy.