318 



PAUMOTU GROUP. 



their blood-red pouches to the size of a child's head, and looking as if 

 a large bladder were attached to their necks. The gannets, sooty 

 terns, and the beautiful tropic-bird, were in countless numbers; the 

 former guarding their eggs, (which were laid on the ground without a 

 nest,) with care, remaining by them, and even suffering themselves to 

 be captured without resistance. Their hoarse croaking was quite 

 deafening. 



Some droll sights were seen of crabs walking off with snakes, and 

 both again seized by some stout bird and borne away. Armies of 

 soldier or piratical crabs (Paguri) were seen moving in all directions 

 with their shells. We enjoyed ourselves much, and found no use for 

 our guns, powder, and shot; as marry specimens as we could desire 

 were taken with the hand, both old and young. In some cases the 

 tropic-birds were taken off their nests, and from others their eggs were 

 taken without disturbing them ; indeed, I have never seen any barn- 

 yard fowls half so tame. 



The various snakes, the many-coloured fish, the great eels, enor- 

 mous and voracious sharks, shells, large molluscs, spiders, with the 

 curious lepidoptera, seemed to have quiet possession, their webs 

 stretching in every direction, and occasioning us much annoyance : 

 all gave a novelty to the scene, that highly interested and delighted us. 

 In the afternoon we returned on board, loaded with specimens ; and 

 the survey being completed, we bore away on our course. 



There are no cocoa-nut palms on the island, as has been reported 

 by Captain Fitzroy, in his voyage ; nor is there any fresh water to be 

 found. Some of our gentlemen saw on the beach some broken oars 

 and remains of a boat, but nothing could be identified. 

 Pandanus trees exist on the south side. 



On the 23d of August we made the Disappointment Islands of 

 Byron : they are two in number, called Wytoohee and Otooho. On 

 the same day, I was informed by Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold, 

 of the Porpoise, that George Reynolds, ordinary seaman, had died of 

 chronic pneumonia ; the chaplain went on board in the afternoon, and 

 performed the last offices. 



On the morning of the 24th we were off the northwest end of the 

 island of Wytoohee, which lies in latitude 14° 09' 30" S., longitude 

 141° 17' 50" W. Many canoes came off to the ship : as they ap- 

 proached the vessels, the natives were heard, while at some distance, 

 singing ; and, as they drew near, the clamour increased, accompanied 

 with much laughing, and many gesticulations ; but none of them could 

 be induced to come on board, and they were not willing to part with 

 any thing but some pieces of old matting. An attempt was made to 



