PAUMATO GROUP. 65 



bery, and abounding in turtles and birds the latter being so 

 tame that they allowed themselves to be caught by the hand ; 

 the most conspicuous among them was the frigate-bird. 

 They were seen as they flew off' inflating their huge pouches, 

 and looking as if they had a large bladder attached to their 

 necks. Immense quantities of fish were also found in the 

 lagoon ; but human beings there were none, or even the traces 

 of any ; neither the remains of huts, nor canoes, nor marks of 

 fire, were anywhere visible. There were a great many sharks 

 both in the lagoon and outside, and they were so ravenous as 

 to bite at the oars of the boats. 



Large and valuable collections were made in all the 

 scientific departments. Some beautiful specimens of coral 

 were procured here. 



Our observations placed the island in latitude 14 56' 00" 

 south, and longitude 138 48' 00" west. 



August 23d. In the morning the barometer began to fall 

 rapidly, the horizon lowered to the southward and eastward, 

 and soon after the wind blew with such violence as to compel 

 us to close-reef the topsails. Towards noon we discovered 

 Disappointment Islands on the lee bow, and in the course of 

 the day frequently observed the natives standing on the beach 

 and cautiously watching our movements. 



These islands are two in number, called Wytoohee and 

 Otoohoo, and were discovered in 1765. They trended nearly 

 east and west, and are bounded by reefs arid rocks. They 

 are well covered with trees of the cocoa-nut and pandanus 

 kinds. 



About sunset, saw a canoe pulling along the shore. 



Lay-to during the night, in order to survey the islands next 

 day. 



August 24th and 25th. At early daylight made all sail. 



