PAUMATO GROUP. 71 



has been much among the islands engaged in the pearl- 

 fishery, and speaks the Tahitian language well. 



September 7th. During this day we surveyed and ex- 

 amined 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, 

 lumbers of cocoanut-trees were found growing on the 

 margin, 



Captain Wilkes, with several of the Yincennes 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 fhese 

 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 



