EEAMANGA. 299 



a shell called Nunjmri, the Cyprtea moneta, passes as 

 money, as also iu New Caledonia. 



The Commodore went ashore immediately after oiir 

 coming to anchor, and soon returned accompanied 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 

 hve in new Caledonia, after he leaves in January next, and 

 that he has made a contract with the French authorities 

 there, which will enable him to procure sandal-wood iu that 

 island. He has already sent away a part of his people to 

 put up some buildings for him. 



There are large blocks of coral or stone along the shoi'e, 

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

 natives Bunka Eiver. Towards the points the cliffs look 

 very rough and rugged, but 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 river. 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 the starl^oard side. I lauded for a few 

 hours in the afternoon, and picked up some specimens of 

 lava as well as coral, which the natives turn 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 



