54 O V O L A U. 



knowledge relative to the situation of all the islands and reefs that 

 lay around us, which I found of much service in the progress of our 

 work. 



During our stay on Andulong, a native came up, who appeared to 

 be under the influence of great fear : he reported that one of the 

 officers had fallen down, and that something was the matter with 

 him. On being asked why he left him, he told us that the chief had 

 said G — d d— n, and that he was afraid that he would kill him. 

 Lieutenant Emmons went down with him, and after a short descent, 

 he found Mr. Eld lying quite exhausted near the path, and it was 

 with difficulty he was enabled to reach the town. 



The descent proved more toilsome and dangerous than the ascent ; 

 the slipperiness of the path frequently brought us in contact with 

 sharp rocks. I have seldom witnessed a party so helpless as ours 

 appeared, in comparison with the natives and white residents, who 

 ran over the rocks like goats. Darkness overtook us before we reached 

 the town ; many of the natives, however, brought torches of dried 

 cocoanut-leaves to light us on our way, and we reached our respec- 

 tive ships without accident, though much fatigued. Many new 

 specimens were added to our collections, and I believe all felt grati- 

 fied in having had an opportunity of viewing from so elevated a point 

 this labyrinth of islands, reefs, and sunken shoals. 



The island of Ovolau is eight miles in length, north and south, by 

 seven in breadth, east and west ; it is of volcanic formation, and its 

 rocks are composed of a conglomerate or pudding-stone ; it is high 

 and rugged throughout. The valleys extend only a short distance into 

 the interior, and leave but little level ground ; they are, however, 

 exceedingly fertile, with a deep and rich soil, and are well cultivated. 

 Its harbours are all formed by the reefs, and were it not for these, 

 there would be but few in the group ; that of Levuka is safe, has good 

 holding-ground, and is easy of access. 



On the 10th, the Flying-Fish was still missing. 



Feeling satisfied that Ovolau was the most suitable place for my 

 purpose, I selected a site for my observatory on a projecting insulated 

 point, about thirty feet above the beach, on which was sufficient room 

 to accommodate our tents and houses. I also obtained a few acres of 

 ground from the chief for the purpose of planting a garden, which 

 was well fenced in, and placed under the direction of our horticul- 

 turist, Mr. Brackenridge. 



On the 11th, the instruments, tents, &c, were landed and put up. 



