338 PRODUCTIONS OF THE ISLANDS. 



and 300 inhabitants, who are scattered along the 

 coast in little villages, each containing about half-a- 

 dozen houses. The eastern islands are said to be 

 more thickly inhabited. The natives appear to be 

 a harmless race ; and though their country is so 

 rich in produce, the greater portion are in a state of 

 poverty. This is to be attributed to the immoderate 

 use of spirituous liquors, large quantities of which 

 are brought by the traders from Java and Macas- 

 sar. From their language and personal appearance, 

 the natives appear to be a mixture between the 

 Malayan race and the Polynesian negro. 



We also learnt that the emu and a small species 

 of the kangaroo are found in the islands. From the 

 varieties of birds, insects, butterflies, and para- 

 sitical plants, &c. that we saw, these islands promise 

 a rich field to the naturalist and botanist. 



We were shewn some of the pearls that had been 

 collected, some of which w-ere very large, and 

 highly prized by the Chinese ; though from their 

 irregular form and golden hue, they would not suit 

 the European market. The smaller pearls, about 

 the size of No. 1 shot, were very perfect in figure 

 but tinged with colour. 



As soon as the observations were concluded we 

 returned on board, and got under w-ay to proceed to 

 the Ki Islands. On the 25th we passed the north 

 end of the Great Ki, and along its western side, 

 which appeared to be as steep as the eastern, and 

 to afford no anchorage whatever. At 2 p. m. we 

 were off the Lesser Ki, and anchored nearly in our 



