in the French S/iif) Urania. 2® 



twecn Timor and Ombay. This was taken advantage of to visit 

 the village of Bitoca; it is situated on the south coast of the 

 latter of these islands ; has been, till now, little frequented by 

 Europeans, and is peopled by a warlike and ferocious race, some 

 of whom are anthropophagites. 



Meanwhile, the number of dysenteric patients increased on 

 board the corvette, and all the skill of M. Quoy, the surgeon- 

 major, was not sufficient to overcome the influence of a devour- 

 ing climate. The harbour of Coupang had furnished them with 

 but few refreshments ; it became, therefore, necessary to take a 

 new station at Timor, and accordingly the Urania anchored at 

 Dicly, the chief place among the Portuguese establishments on 

 the north coast of that islaiid. 



A most obliging reception was given to the Expedition bv Don 

 Jose Pinto Alcoforado d'Azevedo e Soiiza ; and the corvette was 

 abundantly provisioned, through his care, with every thing that 

 she wanted. 



Their stay here was only for five days, after which the Urania 

 bent her course still along the coast of Timor, in order to i^et 

 through the Straits to the eastward of Vitters, by the channel 

 that separates that isle from those of Kiffer and Roma. 



On the 29th of November they were in sight of Ceram and 

 Amboyna, and stretchinginto the Strait between the latter island 

 and Bo\nnon, they bent their course towards the Isle Gasse, 

 which they doubled to the eastward at a small distance, during 

 a violent storm. A great immher of isles were observed, anions 

 which the most remarkable are those of Damoner, Gilolo, and 

 Guebe. 



In this passage the Urania fell in with several armed canoes 

 belonging to the Kimalalia of Giiebe. This Prince came on 

 board, and passed an entire day with them, durim,' which his 

 flotilla towed astern of the corvette. He furnished M. de Frev- 

 cinet with various inforuiation respecting his country and liis 

 maritime expeditions, and made the strongest endeavours to in- 

 duce him to stop at his island, where he assured him there was an 

 excellent harbour, a commodious watering-place, and good re- 

 freshments. This proposition not being accepted, he assured 

 him he would come with his brothers to Waigion, and pay him 

 a new visit. 



It. was to the Isle Guebe that M. de Pavre was sent formerly 

 by M. de Coetiva to take drawings of the nutmeg trees which have 

 since nmltiplied so naicli in the Indian and American colonies. 

 The Gut'bcans recollected that circumstance vciy well, oi which 

 they were themselves the first to speak ; and M. de Prcycinet 

 attributes to their former relations wjtli the rrencli, the very 

 particular amity which they testified towards him. 



A pwny 



