356 PAUMOTU GROUP. 
but the two that went to land at the village, found the! surf too high 
to attempt it. 
The north shore of Arutua Island was surveyed, when they bore 
away and connected it with Nairsa or Dean's Island, along which 
they ran the whole length of its south side by daylight. The last 
named island is for the most part a washed reef, with no opening. 
The compact coral blocks showed themselves here more conspicu- 
ously, and in greater numbers than before seen. 
The following sketch, by Mr. Agate, will illustrate their appearance. 
- - ■ 
After making the west end of Nairsa, Captain Hudson sighted 
Krusenstern's Island, and then stood for Metia Island, to the south- 
ward, on which the officers landed the next day. Their examination 
confirmed the facts already given, relative to its appearance; they 
landed on the west side of the island. 
Mr. Dana found some recent shells embedded in the limestone, but 
they had lost their texture. 
On this island, the magnetic observations were made, with the 
Peacock's instruments. Captain Hudson also sounded with the deep 
sea thermometer, when within a mile of the island, in six hundred 
fathoms ; the temperature at the surface of the water was 80 J°, that 
below, 44J°. The next day they made Tetuaroa, to the northward 
of Tahiti, formerly celebrated as the resort of the Tahitians, for the 
purpose of recovering from the bodily diseases brought on by their 
debaucheries, &c. It is a low island, about six miles long, with a 
few trees upon it, and a reef off its southern end, extending half a 
mile. It is plainly to be seen from the high ridges of Tahiti. 
On the 14th, the Flying-Fish arrived. She had visited and sur- 
veyed King George's Group, which appeared well inhabited, and 
have entrances to their lagoons on the west side. The native name 
of the two islands, is Tiokea and Oura. The southwest end of Tiokea 
is in latitude 14° 31' 12" S., longitude 145° 09' 30" W. ; Oura 
bears S. 68° W., distant four and a half miles. Then the tender 
