350 PAUMOTU GROUP. 
much resembling one. We made a set of magnetic observations on 
this island, and many shells, plants, &c, were procured. 
To our surprise, one of the men of the Peacock, by the name of 
Penny, deserted here from the boats. He had been formerly much 
among the islands, engaged in pearl fishing, and spoke the language 
well. Strict search was made for him, until the officer in charge of 
the boats became satisfied that he had no intention of returning. On 
hearing of it, I was convinced that he had chosen this opportunity, 
particularly as he must have been aware that there is very frequent 
communication with Tahiti. The chief of this island informed us 
that he was a relative of the one-handed chief of Raraka. 
The east end of the island lies in latitude 14° 26' 22" S., longitude 
146° 04' 20" W. 
Several of us had our feet severely blistered, from going barefoot 
on the reefs, and were made very uncomfortable from this cause. 
After returning on board, we bore away to the other island, to which 
the natives gave the name of Ahii. I have also added that of Pea- 
cock Island, to mark that its correct position was first established by 
the Expedition. It lies west three-fourths north per compass from 
Manhii, and was found by the patent log to be eight and six-tenths 
miles from reef to reef. On coming up with, it the Vincennes and 
Peacock took opposite sides, and surveyed it, and the next morning 
parties landed. I was hardly able to move, on account of my feet, 
but the desire of getting observations of the eclipse, urged me to make 
the attempt ; I, however, succeeded in getting only the last limb and 
good observations for time. After four o'clock, we returned on board. 
This island is not inhabited, and has only a small boat-entrance into 
its lagoon, on the west side. The coral belt is similar to that last 
described ; it was found to be upwards of half a mile in width, and 
was covered with the same kind of vegetation as the last, excepting 
cocoa-nut trees, of which none were found on the island. The 
lagoon is quite shallow. A favourite fish with the natives is found 
in it, and at certain seasons they visit the island for the purpose of 
catching them. The coral shelf varied from two to five hundred 
feet in breadth. 
Being desirous of making the examination of as many of the coral 
islands as possible, I now despatched the Peacock to the Arutua or 
Rurick Islands, with directions to examine them, and then to proceed 
along the south side of Dean's Island, whilst, in the Vincennes, I 
