CAPTAIN DUMONT d'uRVILLE. 177 



sea for the night, and next morning- passed close to 

 some low woody islets (Montemont), enclosed by a 

 reef stretching to the eastward, and supporting upon 

 it many scattered islands covered with verdure. 

 Bougainville's chart was found of very little assist- 

 ance ; in the evening, however, they recognized 

 the low wooded isle which he had called Ushant. 

 Several high rocks (Teste Isles) in sight when they 

 stood off for the night served next morning as a 

 connecting point. 



On the 26th, a crowd of small islands, mostly 

 inhabited, were seen at a short distance off, and in 

 the back ground some high mountain summits were 

 visible. Approaching more closel}'^, D'Urville ob- 

 served numerous channels intersecting the coast 

 which they appeared to divide into a multitude of 

 islands, and it seemed doubtful whether the land 

 seen belonged to the Louisiade or to New Guinea. 

 On the 27th, the two ships reached the Cul de sac 

 de I'Orangerie, — the appearance of the land at this 

 place was considered to " agree perfectly with the 

 pompous description" of Bougainville. D'Urville 

 would willingly have searched for an anchorage 

 here, but sickness prevented him from delaying 

 much longer on this coast. Many canoes had been 

 seen dm'ing the da}^, and one with six men at length 

 came off, followed by some smaller ones, each car- 

 r3'ing two or three people. The natives could not 

 be induced to venture on board, and for a long time 

 hesitated to receive some presents conveyed to them 



VOL. I. N 



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