CAPTAIN DUMONT d'uRVILLE. 177 



sea for the nig-ht^ and next mornino- passed close to 

 some low woody islets (Montemont)^ enclosed by a 

 reef stretching- to the eastward^ and supporting- upon 

 it many scattered islands covered with yerdm*e. 

 Boug-ainville's chart was found of very little assist- 

 ance 5 in the evening'^ however^ they recog'nized 

 the low wooded isle which he had called Ushant. 

 Several hig-h rocks (Teste Isles) in sig'ht when they 

 stood oiF for the nio-ht served next mornino- as a 

 connecting' point. 



On the 2Gth^ a croAvd of small islands^ mostly 

 inhabited; were seen at a short distance oiF^ and in 

 the back gTOund some hig-h mountain summits were 

 visible. Approaching* more closely^ D'Urville ob- 

 served numerous channels interseetino- the coast 

 which they appeared to divide into a multitude of 

 islands^ and it seemed doubtful whether the land 

 seen belonged to the Louisiade or to New Guinea. 

 On the 27th; the two ships reached the Cul de sac 

 de rOrang-eric; — the appearance of the land at this 

 place was considered to '^ agree perfectly with the 

 pompous description" of Boug-ainville. D'Ur^ille 

 would willingly have searched for an anchorage 

 herC; but sickness prevented him from delaying 

 much longer on this coast. Many canoes had been 

 seen during' the day^ and one ^^ith six men at length 

 came off, followed b}' some smaller ones^ each car- 

 rying two or three people. The natives could not 

 be induced to venture on board; and for a long time 

 hesitated to receive some presents conveyed to them 



VOL. I. N 



