I76 VOYAGE IN SEARCH 



form, and about a dcmi myriameter in length, 

 is in latitude z iS' ibuth, and longitude 145 46' 

 eaft. It is extremely well peopled, for we law- 

 there near three hundred inhabitants. 



The whitifh appearance of feveral fpots in 

 the ifland where lbme earth had fallen in and dis- 

 covered the foil, made me think that its bafc is 

 of a calcareous nature, like the greater part of the 

 iflands of the South Sea. 



As fooh as the boats were hoifted in wc fleered 

 eaft by north. 



The next day, the 30th, we flood to the north- 

 ward of the Admiralty Iflands. Wc there faw a 

 mountainous and pretty exteniive ifland occupy- 

 ing the centre of this group, the outlines of which 

 are formed of a great number of flat illots, which 

 feem to have recently emerged from the bofom of 

 ;he deep. They are almofl all linked to each 

 ; by reefs and fand-banks. 



At 1'mitet we were a myriameter and a hall" to 

 the north-call of the iflots neareit to the prin- 

 cipal ifland. 



On the 31ft, as loon as the day broke, we 



veil fouth-wefl, to draw in with the land. 



In tfae dMv.nre were i'cen fome cattocs, which 



lbe tauntnefs of their malis and the 



\? appeared to be much iarger than 



: really were. 



\\> were under the lee ot tl.efe iflands, in a 



very 



