PAUMATO GROUP. 69 



we discovered yesterday as to render any further description 

 unnecessary. 



We made the Tahitians several presents, and they in 

 return gave us some hooks made of mother-of-pearl. 



We observed on the beach two double canoes. Found the 

 position of the island to be, latitude 16 03' 00" south, longi- 

 tude 145 03' 00" west. 



August 31st. We had scarcely quitted Raraka when 

 another island was descried to the northward and westward, 

 which was not laid down on the charts. It is very long and 

 narrow. In some places it is well clothed with trees and 

 other subjects of the vegetable kingdom ; in others it is 

 entirely naked. This is particularly the case towards the 

 northward and westward, where it is so low that the sea 

 washes over it and forms large pools. Here and there on the 

 beach we observed large detached pieces of coral, some of a 

 square shape, others round, and of a color nearly black. 



This island is destitute of harbors. The lagoon was 

 very extensive and apparently deep, and as far as the 

 eye could reach appeared entirely free from banks and 

 rocks. 



Noodies and Curlews were the only kind of inhabitants we 

 found on the island. Not a human being was seen anywhere, 

 or even the traces of any. 



We named the island Vincennes. It is situated in latitude 

 16 08'' (A" south, and longitude 144 59' 45" west. 



September 3d. Having finished the survey of Vincennes 

 Island, we stood for KarlshofPs Island, discovered by the Rus- 

 sians. As we approached we perceived the natives making 

 signals to us to land, which invitation we accepted. They 

 received us kindly, inviting us to their huts, and doing all in 

 their power to render our stay agreeable. They informed us 



