PAUMATO GROUP. 71 



been much among the islands engaged in the pearl-fishery, 

 and speaks the Tahitian language well. 



September 7th. During this day we surveyed and examined 

 another island, not down on the charts. We found it pretty 

 much the same as the rest, with no inhabitants, but bearing 

 evident marks of its being recently visited by pearl-fishermen. 

 The lagoon terminates within a few yards of the sea- shore, 

 and is so shallow that it can be forded. Numbers of cocoa- 

 nut trees were found growing on the margin. 



Captain Wilkes, with several of the Vincennes officers, 

 landed here to observe the eclipse of the sun, just as we got 

 into our boat to return to the ship. We named the island 

 after our ship Peacock. It is situated in latitude 14 32' 00" 

 south, and longitude 146 20' 45" west. 



September 8th. At 7 A. M. made Rurick Island, dis- 

 covered by Captain Kotzbue, of the Russian service. Soon 

 after sent two boats to examine it, but only one succeeded in 

 effecting a landing, on account of the violence of the surf. 

 The place was a small cove, round the shores of which were a 

 number of houses, and hard by a fine cocoa-nut grove. No 

 people were to be found in any of these houses, but the other 

 boat saw plenty along the beach ; they appeared to be a mild, 

 inoffensive people. No arms were seen about them. 



September 9th. During these twenty-four hours we made 

 a flying survey of Dean's Island. Judging from appearances, 

 (for the weather would not permit our leaving the ship,) the 

 character of this island is similar to those which have been 

 already described. 



We are now clear of the Coral Islands, and really we are 

 glad of it. They soon ceased to interest us ; nay, towards the 

 last we almost sickened at the very sight of them ; they all 

 seemed to us alike. In vain did we look for a change or 



