42 TAHITI AND EI MEO. 



the departure of the Vincennes, and were subsequently completed by 

 the officers of the Peacock.* 



I was desirous, in addition, of ascertaining with precision the least 

 depth of water on the Dolphin Shoal, and had employed boats in 

 making accurate soundings. The results, however, were so unsatis- 

 factory, on account of the ever-varying level of the tide, that I could 

 not hope that they would serve for a reference by which to ascertain 

 the future increase of this bank, by the growth of the coral. I 

 therefore planted a large stone, with a horizontal surface, and having 

 found the shoalest place on the bank, carefully measured the differ- 

 ence in the height of the surface of the stone and the rock of the bank, 

 by an excellent spirit-level. I then caused a mark to be traced upon 

 the surface of the stone, pointing towards the place on the bank 

 where the levelling-staff had been placed. The difference of level 

 was twenty-five feet seven inches. Old Taua, the chief of the 

 district, promised me that he would taboo the stone, and that it 

 should not be touched or disturbed on any account ; and, to preserve 

 it from any accidental disturbance, it was set four feet into the 

 ground. 



The Vincennes moved to the harboirr of Papieti on the 22d Sep- 

 tember. At the same time, orders were given to the Peacock and 

 Flying-Fish to take on board their articles from Point Venus, and 

 to follow as soon as they had done so. The tender required some 

 repairs, which could be done with more safety at Papieti. Both 

 vessels joined us in that harbour on the 24th. 



In proceeding to Papieti, we left Matavai Bay in the morning, and 

 within a few hours had anchored in the harbour of the former place. 

 No soundings are to be had beyond the line of reefs, and consequently 

 there is no anchorage ; the outer wall of the reef surrounding the 

 island is in fact perpendicular, with the exception of some projecting 

 patches in Matavai Bay, and to the eastward of Point Venus. On the 

 latter the French frigate Artemise struck, in 1836. 



At the season of the year when we made this short passage, there 

 is some danger to be apprehended in entering the harbour of Papieti, 

 and much caution is therefore necessary. The trades at this season 

 are irregular, and the winds which prevail are light; they also are 

 most apt to fail at the critical moment when the vessel is at the 

 entrance of the narrow passage through the reefs, in which case the 



* The chart of these harbours will be found in the Hydrographical Atlas. 



