“The island may, with the greatest propriety, be called a low one, as the trees on the west part, where we now lay at anchor, only appeared; and the only eminent part, which can be seen from a ship, is the south-east point, though many gently rising and declining grounds are observable by one who is ashore.  The general appearance of the country does not afford that beautiful kind of landscape that is produced from a variety of hills and valleys, lawns, rivulets, and cascades; but, at the same time, it conveys to the spectator an idea of the most exuberant fertility, whether we respect the places improved by art, or those still in a natural state, both which yield all their vegetable productions with the greatest vigour, and perpetual verdure.  At a distance, the surface seems entirely clothed with trees of various sizes, some of which are very large.  But, above the rest, the tall cocoa-palms always raise their tufted heads, and are far from being the smallest ornament to any country that produces them.  The boogo, which is a species of fig, with narrow pointed leaves, is the largest sized tree of the island; and on the uncultivated spots, especially toward the sea, the most common bushes and small trees are the pandanus, several sorts of hibiscus, the faitanoo, mentioned more than once in the course of our voyage, and a few others.  It ought also to be observed, that though the materials for forming grand landscapes are wanting, there are many of what might, at least, be called neat prospects, about the cultivated grounds and dwelling-places, but more especially about the fiatookas, where sometimes art, and sometimes nature, has done much to please the eye.

“From the situation of Tongataboo, toward the tropic, the climate is more variable, than in countries farther within that line, though, perhaps, that might be owing to the season of the year, which was now the winter solstice.  The winds are, for the most part, from some point between south and east; and, when moderate, are commonly attended with fine weather.  When they blow fresher, the weather is often cloudy, though open; and, in such cases, there is frequently rain.  The wind sometimes veers to the N.E., N.N.E, or even N.N.W., but never lasts long, nor blows strong from thence, though it is commonly accompanied by heavy rain, and close sultry weather.  The quick succession, of vegetables has been already mentioned; but I am not certain that the changes of weather, by which it is brought about, are considerable enough to make them perceptible to the natives as to their method of life, or rather that they should be very sensible of the different seasons.  This, perhaps, may be inferred from the state of their vegetable productions, which are never so much affected, with respect to the foliage, as to shed that all at once; for every leaf is succeeded by another as fast as it falls, which causes that appearance of universal and continual spring found here.