44 Voyage of the Novara. 



from tlie steep octagonal-shaped cliff, which rises like a bastion 

 at the north extremity of the island. We now edged off with 

 the frigate and ran mider the lee of the land, coasting along 

 the west side from north to south, never above 150 or 200 feet 

 distant from the shore ; so close, in short, that, standing on 

 the deck, it seemed almost possible to stretch out the hand 

 and tduch the beetling shore-cliffs, every stone and shrub being 

 perfectly distinguishable. Only a narrow rocky belt over- 

 hanging the surf appeared barren of vegetation, the entire 

 island with that exception being covered with dense forest to 

 the very summits, from 400 to 600 feet in height, of the steep, 

 projecting, knob-like eminences. It was a delightful, never- 

 to-be-forgotten sail along this rock-bound coast, the romantic 

 beauties of which passed before us like green dissolving views. 

 The sea was so smooth and peaceful that we seemed to be sail- 

 ing on a mill-pond. At last we opened a small sandy cove, in 

 which we perceived a few cocoa-nut palms directly opposite. 

 Here the lead promised us good holding ground, and the 

 anchor was accordingly let go. 



One of the side-boats conveyed to land the officers entrusted 

 with the astronomical operations, as also the naturalists. Only 

 with the utmost difficulty was it possible to make way through 

 the surf, and get under the lee of a reef, whence it was requi- 

 site to make a spring to get ashore. At the spot at which we 

 landed (named by us Morrock's Cove, and according to ob- 

 servation in 8" 32' 30" N. and 93° 34' 10" E.) the island was 

 almost exclusively clothed with trees and brushwood. Only 



