APPENDIX. 405 



and steer for the main island of Vitilevu, to a point off which there 

 is a small island ; observing, running down, and fixing the reefs that 

 may lay in your way there, dividing your boats so as to obtain their 

 outlines as accurately as possible, particularly the northern reef that 

 leads to the inshore channel of that island, and along its north shore. 

 From the above-mentioned point you will proceed to the westward, 

 tracing the shore and line of reefs outside of you. The passage 

 is supposed to be from two to five miles wide, and is said to be a 

 good one for a ship. All coral patches and broken ground that may 

 be fallen in with will be particularly observed, and their positions 

 ascertained with regard to the main points in sight ; and all entrances 

 or passages through the great reef to the northward, must not escape 

 your attention : none it is believed occur, until you reach Ragi-ragi, 

 on the east side of the Malaki Islands. At these islands, the ship- 

 channel is supposed to go between them and the main island. You 

 will observe particularly if the main northern reef joins these islands. 

 Ascertain their size, and get an azimuth on the high hill of Ovolau if 

 possible : here it is extremely desirable to obtain accurately the lati- 

 tude and longitude. Chronometers are furnished both boats, whose 

 rates and errors are given. After passing these, you will continue 

 on to Taboa, when you will find another passage through the reef to 

 the northward : this will be examined, as that off Ragi-ragi, getting 

 the trending of the outside reef both east and west by careful bearings 

 at both places. Thence you will proceed through the aforesaid ship- 

 channel, along the island of Vitilevu, down as far as Ba, where you 

 will find the ship Leonidas, Captain Egleston, who no doubt will be 

 happy to supply any thing you may be in want of, for which he will 

 receive remuneration. You will make no unnecessary delay here, 

 but continue on your survey as far as the island of Malolo, off the 

 western end of Vitilevu, where you will meet further orders from me 

 in ten days ; if, however, this should not occur, you will return. On 

 your way back, following the outside reef on its inner edge (which I 

 believe does not exist beyond fifteen miles from the land), and taking 

 observations so as to establish its various points by bearings and 

 latitude and longitude, and regain this anchorage as soon as possible. 

 A patent log is furnished you for measuring your distances run, and 

 an azimuth compass. 



You will observe the variation, and not omit your latitude daily by 

 meridian observation or double altitudes, and also sights for your 



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