MALOLO. 305 



except for boats, and near its north end it enclosed several small 

 islets, which bear the names of the midshipmen of the squadron. 

 Vatulele is well covered with wood, and is inhabited. 



After having finished the examination of Vatulele, we shaped our 

 course for Mbenga, and at noon discovered a coral reef extending about 

 three hundred yards north and south, by one hundred and fifty east 

 and west. It is awash, and bears from the south point of Vatulele 

 east-by-north, distant seven miles. After getting angles on Mbenga 

 Peak and Vatulele, and obtaining chronometer sights, we left this 

 small, though dangerous spot, which I have called Flying-Fish 

 Shoal. We passed the night under the extensive reef that surrounds 

 Mbenga, not being able to find the entrance, as the night was ex- 

 tremely dark. 



In the morning early we stood over for Kantavu, to survey its north 

 side, and reached it in time to secure the latitude close to the point of 

 its reef off Malatta Bay, which I found to be in 18° 58' 34" S. The 

 distance from Mbenga Reef was found to be twenty-six miles by the 

 patent log, in a southeast-by-south direction. We then anchored in 

 its harbour, formed by the coral reefs, which only exist to any extent 

 about this part, where the island is almost divided in two. So low 

 and narrow is the isthmus, that the natives frequently transport their 

 canoes over it. 



Many natives came off, but they were not willing to trust them- 

 selves on board when they understood who we were. 



The whole length of Kantavu is high and mountainous, with the 

 exception of a small part of its centre, near Malatta Bay. This bay 

 was surveyed ; it is small, and offers safety to a few vessels for tem- 

 porary anchorage, although it is difficult to choose a place for the 

 purpose, on account of several reefs that lie across it. The Flying- 

 Fish was anchored in sixteen fathoms, sandy bottom. I now esta- 

 blished, from several bases, all the peaks and points for our surveying 

 operations the next day. 



Many canoes came off to us before we anchored, but we could not 

 persuade the people to come on board, as long as we were under way ; 

 they said we might carry them off; but on our anchoring they came 

 alongside, bringing a few yams, pigs, &c, which they sold cheap. 



A chief coming off, we succeeded in getting him on board, and 

 induced him to remain and send his canoe for provisions. He was 

 a remarkably fine-looking man, and extremely intelligent, having 



vol. in. 77 



