68 T U T U I L A 



Both of these were found to have entrances into their lagoons ; they 

 are uninhabited, though occasionally visited by the natives of Nairsa 

 Island. The position of Recreation Island was passed over, but no 

 signs of land discovered. 



Rose Island, the most eastern of the Samoan Group, was dis- 

 covered by Freycinet ; who gave it its name. It appears, at first, 

 like a round knoll of land, but on a nearer approach, this is found to 

 arise from a large clump of Pisonia trees, similar to those found 

 growing in the low archipelago. It is a low annular coral island of 

 small dimensions, inundated at high water, with the exception of two 

 small banks, one of which is entirely covered by the clump of trees. 

 The other is formed of dead coral, without any vegetation. The tide 

 was found here to rise about four and a half feet, the flood setting to the 

 eastward. The breakers on its weather or southeast side are heavy ; 

 and there is an entrance into the lagoon having four fathoms depth of 

 water through it. The lagoon has from six to twelve fathoms in it, 

 A remarkable coral formation, like a submerged tree, thirty feet in 

 diameter over its top, was found in the centre of the lagoon, rising to 

 the level of low water, and having all around it a depth of six 

 fathoms. The currents set regularly out and in to the lagoon, 

 according to the state of the tide. In stormy weather the sea must 

 make a complete breach over the reef. 



Some boulders of vesicular lava were seen on the coral reef; they 

 were from twenty to two hundred pounds weight, and were found 

 among blocks of coral conglomerate. 



Birds were seen flying over the island, and on landing we found 

 them in great numbers and very tame. The frigate-birds, and 

 boobies (sula), whose nests had before been observed on low bushes, 

 were here found on the tops of trees fifty feet high. The noddies 

 laid their eggs on the parts of the island destitute of vegetation. 

 Tern were in great numbers ; their breeding-place was in a thicket 

 on the weather side of the island, or that which was exposed to the 

 wind and sea, and was remarkable from the regularity with which 

 the eggs were placed, about three feet apart, without any nest, and 

 with but few exceptions, out of many thousands, each egg lay 

 separately. The colour of the eggs is a dirty white, mottled with 

 brown. The noise made by these birds when disturbed was almost 

 deafening ; but on making a loud sound, such as the firmer of a gam, 

 their cries would cease for a moment or two, producing a singular 

 stillness. 



