168 HISTORY OF PREVIOUS DISCOVERIES 



broke about one hundred 3^ards from the shore^ and in 

 the advancmg wave one mig-ht see thousands of 

 larg-e mullet keejiing* together in a shoal with num- 

 bers of porpoises playing- about^ making* frequent 

 rushes among- the dense masses and scattering- them 

 in everv direction. Such of the men as were fur- 

 nished with the scoop-net waded out in line^ and^ 

 waiting- until the porpoises had driven the mullet 

 close in shore^ rushed among" the shoal^ and^ closing- 

 round in a circle with the nets nearly touching-^ 

 secured a number of fine fish^ averaging two and a 

 half pounds weight. This was repeated at intervals 

 until enough had been procured. Meanwhile others^ 

 chiefly boys^ were at Avork with their spears^ darting- 

 them in every direction among the fish^ and on the 

 best possible terms with the porpoises^ which were 

 dashing- about among- their leg-s^ as if fully aware 

 that they would not be molested. 



On May 26th^ we sailed from Moreton Bay ,— but, 

 before entering- into the details of this^ the most inte- 

 resting- portion of the Vo3"ag'e of the Rattlesnake^ a 

 brief but connected account of the progress of dis- 

 covery on the south-east coast of New Guinea^ and 

 the Louisiade Archipelago^ will enable the reader 

 more clearly to perceive the necessit}^ then existing' for 

 as complete a survey of these shores and the adjacent 

 seas as would enable the vo3'ager to approach them 

 with safety. A glance at any of the published 

 charts will show a vague outline of coast and islands 

 and reefs^ with numerous blanks— a compilation 



