MICRONESIA. 87 



slight depression, is no ways improbable. It is certain, from observa- 

 tions made by the geologist, Mr. Dana, that the Sandwich Group, on 

 the other side of the Pacific, has been, at some former period, lifted 

 several feet above its original height, and there is some reason to 

 believe that at this time it is undergoing a very gradual elevation.* 

 It is possible that a counterbalancing movement in the opposite 

 direction may be taking place among the Caroline Islands, or, at 

 least, may have taken place not many centuries ago. From the de- 

 scription given of Leilei, a change of level of one or two feet would 

 render it uninhabitable, and reduce it, in a short time, to the same 

 state as the isle of ruins at Banabe. When the natives say that these 

 structures were raised by hani or animan (spirits), they may be 

 merely referring them to the divinities whom they worship, i. e. the 

 spirits of their ancestors, the actual builders. On mentioning these 

 views to Mr. Dana, I am happy to find that he considers the opinion 

 here expressed highly probable, and confirmed by his observations in 

 other parts of the Pacific. 



MILLE, OR THE MULGRAVE ISLANDS. 



In January of 1824, a part of the crew of the American whale-ship 

 Globe mutinied, murdered the officers, and sailed for the Caroline 

 Islands. At the Mulgrave Group, the greater part, including those 

 who had been the most guilty, together with some who were innocent, 

 but were compelled to submit to the direction of the others, landed 

 and remained. They were received, at first, with the utmost kind- 

 ness by the natives, but having roused their hostility by violent 

 measures and harsh treatment, the whole party was suddenly attacked 

 and put to death, with the exception of two individuals. These, by 

 name William Lay, and Cyrus M. Hussey, were both mere youths, 

 and entirely innocent of participation in the mutiny. They had pre- 

 viously acquired the good-will of the natives by their kind and 

 prudent conduct towards them, and though detained as captives, and 

 obliged to labour for. their masters, they were not ill-treated. In 

 December of the following year they were taken off by the United 

 States schooner Dolphin, which was despatched for that purpose, 

 under the command of Captain John Percival. 



On their arrival at Oahu, the Rev. Mr. Bingham, missionary at 



* See the Geological Report of the Expedition, by Mr. J. D. Dana. 



