EBAMANGA. 299 



a shell called Nunpuri, the Cyproea moneta, passes as 

 money, as also in New Caledonia. 



The Commodore went ashore immediately after our 

 coming to anchor, and soon returned accomptinied by Mr. 

 Henry, with whom I had a little conversation. He told me 

 that there were about 100 tons more sandal-wood to be got 

 here, but that it would cost as much as it was worth to get 

 it in these warlike times. Mr. Henry said he is going to 

 live in new Caledonia, after he leaves in Jauuaiy next, and 

 that he has made a contract with the French authorities 

 there, which will enable him to prociu'e sandal-wood in that 

 island. He has already sent away a i)art of his people to 

 put up some buildings for him. 



There are large blocks of coral or stone along the sliore, 

 and on either side of the river, which is called by the 

 natives Bunka River. Towards the points the clifis look 

 very rough and rugged, Init the island is all covered with 

 vegetation down to the water, except the precipitous sides 

 of the cliffs and rocks towards the point on the port side, 

 looking from the ship towards the I'iver. On the top of 

 the cliff" there is a grassy slope of some extent reaching 

 down to the point, and the same thing is observable on the 

 top of the hills on tlie starboard side. I landed for a few 

 hours in the afternoon, and picked up some specimens of 

 lava as well as coral, which the natives tm-n to account in 

 making chinam, and which Mr. Henry employs as a lime of 

 excellent quality. I picked up also fresh-water shells of 

 several kinds, and a yellow shell found under dead wood 



