332 MALOLO. 



boat's crew on their landing, armed with clubs and spears, but they 

 seemed very timid and inoffensive. They said they had suffered 

 much from want of food, and that some had even perished from star- 

 vation. The island did not seem to produce any thing but cocoa-nuts, 

 of which, after much difficulty, a few were procured. In their trade 

 with us they preferred fish-hooks to any thing else, and gave as a 

 reason to Aliko the pilot, that with them they could obtain food. 

 They stated that in times of scarcity each person was allowed no 

 more than three cocoa-nuts a day. Their koro was small and not 

 far from the place of landing ; but it was not visited, as they seemed 

 unwilling that the party should do so. 



After obtaining sights for chronometers and making the necessary 

 examinations, they returned to the brig, and found the whaling-ship 

 Nantucket in company. 



The reef that surrounds Biva extends three miles to the south 

 of the island. Near its southern end is the opening, but it is not 

 practicable even for a small vessel, without danger from the nume- 

 rous coral lumps. 



The great sea-reef was entirely lost sight of, until approaching 

 towards Malolo and the small islands to the north of it. The latter 

 are numerous, and as they have no names, and are, as it were, 

 detached from the Asaua Group, I have called the separate islands 

 after some of the officers of the Expedition, and the whole the 

 Hudson Isles. Finding also many others in a cluster on the north- 

 east side of the group, I have given them the name of Ringgold 

 Isles, and named the several islands after some of the officers engaged 

 in the survey of them. 



On the 25th, the Porpoise passed through the Malolo Passage, and 

 shortly after joined company with the tender, near Malolo, as has 

 been before related. 



The reunion of the several vessels of the squadron did not give rise 

 to the feeling of pleasure which had attended such meetings on other 

 occasions. A deep gloom on the contrary was spread over the minds 

 of all by the melancholy fate of their comrades, who had been the 

 victims of the butchery at Malolo. In honour of their memories, a 

 funeral sermon was preached, on the 10th August, by the chaplain, 

 before the assembled officers and crews. The address was affecting 

 and appropriate, and on our arrival at Oahu was published, at the 

 request of the officers. 



Since our return the monument has been erected at Mount Auburn, 



