A General History and Collection of Voyages and Travels, Volume 17 | Page 5

greatest part of this
disappeared again in a few days.
According to the tropical line of snow, as determined by Mr.
Condamine, from observations taken on the Cordilleras, this mountain
must be at least 16,020 feet high, which exceeds the height of the Pico

de Teyde, or Peak of Teneriffe, by 724 feet, according to Dr.
Heberden's computation, or 3,680, according to that of the Chevalier de
Borda. The peaks of Mouna Kaah appeared to be about half a mile high;
and as they are entirely covered with snow, the altitude of their
summits cannot be less than 18,400 feet. But it is probable that both
these mountains may be considerably higher. For in insular situations,
the effects of the warm sea air must necessarily remove the line of
snow in equal latitudes, to a greater height than where the atmosphere
is chilled on all sides by an immense tract of perpetual snow.
The coast of Kaoo presents a prospect of the most horrid and dreary
kind; the whole country appearing to have undergone a total change
from the effects of some dreadful convulsion. The ground is every
where covered with cinders, and intersected in many places with black
streaks, which seem to mark the course of a lava that has flowed, not
many ages back, from the mountain Roa to the shore. The southern
promontory looks like the mere dregs of a volcano. The projecting
head-land is composed of broken and craggy rocks, piled irregularly on
one another, and terminating in sharp points.
Notwithstanding the dismal aspect of this part of the island, there are
many villages scattered over it, and it certainly is much more populous
than the verdant mountains of Apoona. Nor is this circumstance hard to
be accounted for. As these islanders have no cattle, they have
consequently no use for pasturage, and therefore naturally prefer such
ground as either lies more convenient for fishing, or is best suited to the
cultivation of yams and plantains. Now amidst these ruins, there are
many patches of rich soil, which are carefully laid out in plantations,
and the neighbouring sea abounds with a variety of most excellent fish,
with which, as well as with other provisions, we were always
plentifully supplied. Off this part of the coast we could find no ground,
at less than a cable's length from the shore, with a hundred and sixty
fathoms of line, excepting in a small bight to the eastward of the south
point, where we had regular soundings of fifty and fifty-eight fathoms
over a bottom of fine sand. Before we proceed to the western districts,
it may be necessary to remark, that the whole east side of the island,
from the northern to the southern extremity, does not afford the

smallest harbour or shelter for shipping.
The south-west parts of Akona are in the same state with the adjoining
district of Kaoo; but farther to the north, the country has been
cultivated with great pains, and is extremely populous.
In this part of the island is situated Karakakooa Bay, which has been
already described. Along the coast nothing is seen but large masses of
slag, and the fragments of black scorched rocks; behind which, the
ground rises gradually for about two miles and a half, and appears to
have been formerly covered with loose burnt stones. These the natives
have taken the pains of clearing away, frequently to the depth of three
feet and upward; which labour, great as it is, the fertility of the soil
amply repays. Here in a rich ashy mould, they cultivate sweet potatoes
and the cloth-plant. The fields are enclosed with stone-fences, and are
interspersed with groves of cocoa-nut trees. On the rising ground
beyond these, the bread-fruit trees are planted, and flourish with the
greatest luxuriance.
Koaara extends from the westernmost point to the northern extremity of
the island; the whole coast between them forming an extensive bay,
called Toe- yah-yah, which is bounded to the north by two very
conspicuous hills. Toward the bottom of this bay there is foul corally
ground, extending upward of a mile from the shore, without which the
soundings are regular, with good anchorage, in twenty fathoms. The
country, as far as the eye could reach, seemed fruitful and well
inhabited, the soil being in appearance of the same kind with the
district of Kaoo; but no fresh water is to be got here.
I have hitherto confined myself to the coasts of this island, and the
adjacent country, which is all that I had an opportunity of being
acquainted with from my own observation. The only account I can give
of the interior parts, is from the information I obtained from a party,
who set out on the afternoon of the 26th of January, on an expedition
up