LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 185 



Mamouko, to the southwest of it, which can be closely approached, 

 and have a passage between them. They are three miles from the 

 island, south-southwest (true). 



To the eastward of Tabutha lies the small island of Aro. This is 

 a very pretty island, and has three reefs in its neighbourhood, one 

 lying northeast seven miles ; another, east half south two and a half 

 miles ; the third, south half east two and a half miles. This small 

 island is only inhabited during the turtle season, which begins in 

 October and ends in February. 



Chichia lies twenty miles to the northwest of Naiau. It is nearly 

 circular, is three miles in diameter, and a shore-reef extends around 

 it, with no opening but for canoes. Some of its points are three 

 hundred feet high. It is in places thickly wooded, and has about 

 three hundred inhabitants. There is a small reef to the southwest, 

 with a passage between it and the island. The soil is rich, and 

 every thing is produced in abundance. Extensive cocoa-nut groves 

 clothe its low points. 



Mango is another small island, eighteen miles to the north-north- 

 east of Chichia. It is remarkable for an open space near its centre, 

 which appears as if it had been artificially cleared. It is surrounded 

 by a reef, w r hich has a break on the northwest side, but affords no 

 protection for vessels. The southern part of the reef extends off 

 about a mile, and has two small islets in it. It affords no shelter, 

 and there is no water except from wells. Its shape is an oval, whose 

 longest diameter is three miles, and its shortest two. There is a 

 distinct reef, which lies northwest-by-north, four miles from it. 



Vekai, Katafanga, and the reef of Malevuvu, all three lying north 

 of Tabutha, were next examined. 



Vekai is six miles from Tabutha. It is a low islet, with an 

 extensive reef lying on its northwest side, and is resorted to during 

 the turtle season. 



Katafanga is also a small isle, inhabited only during the turtle 

 season. Its reef is much more extensive, being four and a half miles 

 from east to west, and has a small opening, which would admit a 

 vessel drawing ten feet of water, were it not impeded by some danger- 

 ous coral knolls. There are huts on its northeast point, and abundance 

 of sugar-cane, fruit, and vegetables, may be procured. Both the last 

 named islands are volcanic, and specimens of lava were obtained from 

 them. The latter island is one hundred and fifty feet in height. 



The reef of Malevuvu is two and a half miles long, and is awash, 

 vol. in. 47 



