PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 227 



CHAPTER VIII. 



Boat sent to examine the Channel into Bow Island Lagoon — 

 Unexpected Interview between Tuwarri and his Brother — A 

 Pearl Brig at anchor in the Lagoon — Mystery attached to the 

 Byam Martin Islanders dispelled — Their interesting History, 

 extensive Wanderings and Sufferings — Sequel of Tuwarri's 

 History — Ship enters the Lagoon — Description of the Island — 

 A short Account of the Natives — Visit several other coral 

 Islands, and discover Melville and Croker Islands — Remarks on 

 the Discoveries of Cook, Wallis, Carteret, &c. — Peculiarities of 

 the coral Islands — Arrival at Otaheite. 



Bow Island was discovered by M. Bougainville SJnV' 

 in 1768, and the following year was visited by 

 Captain Cook, who gave it its present name from 

 the resemblance its shape bore to a bow. Its figure 

 protracted upon paper, however, is very irregular, 

 and bears but small resemblance to the instrument 

 after which it was named ; but to a person viewing 

 it as Captain Cook did, the mistake is very likely to 

 occur. It is of coral formation, thirty-four miles 

 long, and ten broad ; well wooded on the weather 

 side, but very scantily so on the other ; and so low 

 in this half, that the sea in places washes into the 

 lagoon. We sailed close along what may be con- 

 sidered the string of the bow, while the barge navi- 



Q 2 



Feb. 

 1826. 



