few in number, dogs, as well as hogs, are eaten. The English gentlemen one day partook of a dog, presented by Oberea, and found it to be a very good dish. It is observable, that Tupia killed it in the way which we now call burking, by holding his hands close over the mouth and nose for a quarter of an hour; and then baked it in a Tahitian oven, viz. in a hole in the ground among hot stones.
In one of his expeditions, Mr. Banks explored the romantic valley of Matavai for several miles, tracing the stream upwards between its steep banks, which in some parts are richly adorned with vegetation, and in others present naked rocks, which are clearly of volcanic origin. Had be persevered a little further, he would have found what has since been discovered, a lofty cliff of columnar basalt, rising to the height of 200 ft., and 300 ft. in extent. This grand colonnade is described in the Journal of Messrs. Tyerman and Bennet, vol. i, p. 140.
While Saturday, June 3rd, the important day of the transit of Venus, was drawing nigh, uncommon anxiety was felt about fulfilling the wishes of the Royal Society; and in consequence of some hints received from the Earl of Morton, their President, the Commander, to guard against disappointments, and ensure greater accuracy, resolved to have the transit observed, not only at the fort, but at two other points, in different directions. Mr. Gore, Mr. Banks, Mr. Monkhouse the surgeon, and Mr. Sporing, accompanied by Toubourai Tamaide, Tomio, and other natives, proceeded on thursday morning in the long-boat to the island of Eimeo, twelve or fourteen miles to the west of Otaheite; taking with them proper instruments for making
