PAUMOTU GROUP. 3 . i3 
the next day. On the 25th, the Peacock and Porpoise were ordered 
on one s,de of the island, the Vincennes and tender on the other 
slwes WCTe "^ t0 CffeCt * lam,ing lf P ° Ssible and trace the 
The island is formed of islets connected by a washed coral reef of 
irregular shape, with a lagoon having many knolls in it, of various 
sizes, some four or five feet above the surface. The southeast portion 
is the largest and most thickly wooded, and contains the laro-est 
number ot inhabitants. ° 
After the surveying duties were over, we found ourselves at the 
northwest point of the island. The natives who had refused to allow 
us to land, were now seen waving green boughs, which is the general 
sign of good-will, and a desire to have communication, and many were 
•seen dancing on the beach with their spears in their hands I gave 
orders to send the boats to the shore, but on reaching it we found 
them still averse to our landing; they, however, assisted Mr 
Couthouy through the surf to the beach, but when he had reached 
it, hey surrounded him, and led him back very gently to the water, 
making him distinctly understand that they would not permit hiffl to 
visit their huts. They were extremely desirous of obtaining buttons 
pieces of iron, and cloth. We gave them several small articles, but 
they could not be persuaded to part with their spears and clubs 
The chief, who was a very old man, was seen lying under a 
Pandanus tree, close to the beach, and on being told I wished to see 
him and make him a present, he arose; his hair was quite gray, and 
he had a long and stiff white beard ; his legs were enlarged with the 
elephantiasis, the swelling being of a white colour, and so large and 
regular that many thought he had on sailor's trousers. About twenty 
natives were with him on the beach. After being shown the 
presents I had for him, he was induced to wade into the water up to 
his neck to receive them. On coming alongside the boat, he seemed 
somewhat uneasy, until he had gone through the ceremony of 
rubbing noses, which I must confess was any thing but agreeable 
with so dirty and diseased a person. He was extremely anxious to 
get hold of the presents, and amused us by at once plungina them 
under the water, seeming in no manner concerned about keepino- 
them dry. He was all the while making a noise like the purring o°f 
a cat In return for my presents, he at once offered me the short 
mantle of matting which he had over his shoulders. 
They understood the Tahitian language. The chief o-ave his 
VOL. I. S4 
