PAUMOTU GROUP. 335 



diameter, and of considerable depth ; it is about half a mile from the 

 village, to the north, and situated within the line of woods. Watering 

 is very troublesome and fatiguing when the boats are outside, and it is 

 necessary to transport it a long distance ; but having leathern watering- 

 bags, it was less difficult for us. By entering the lagoon through the 

 opening, the boats could approach very near the pool. There would 

 be some difficulty in passing into it when the tide is setting out. It 

 was reported that there was enough water to supply the squadron. 

 The water was thought by some to be a little brackish, but it was 

 found quite potable. 



Many botanical specimens were obtained here, similar to those 

 collected on the other islands ; also several birds, a harmless scorpion, 

 and lizards, the same as found on the other islands. 



The reefs were covered with Holuthuria and some Biche-de-mar, 

 but none of the valuable kinds; we also obtained a large number of 

 shells. The fish here are said to be poisonous ; but the natives, we 

 understood, eat some of the kinds, so that the remark does not apply 

 to the whole. The position of the west point of the island was deter- 

 mined to be in longitude 145° 39' 46" W., and latitude 15° 26' S. 



Having obtained all the water we could in the afternoon, amounting 

 to three hundred and ninety gallons, I directed the course of the 

 squadron to the northward and eastward, towards King George's 

 Group, having fresh breezes from the east-northeast. The next day 

 at noon, the most southern island was in sight, and finding the ships 

 could not make it without much loss of time, I despatched the tender 

 to the group, with orders to circumnavigate and examine the islands, 

 and then to follow us to Tahiti; whilst the Vincennes and Peacock 

 bore away to the westward, for the doubtful island of Waterlandt. 

 At 5 p. m. it was discovered from the masthead, and at six from the 

 fore-yard, bearing northwest-by-north. 



We stood on and off all night, and at daylight again made the land ; 

 we reached its north point at four o'clock p. m., when the Peacock was 

 ordered to take the east, whilst the Vincennes took the west side; we 

 continued the survey until dark, when we took the necessary angles 

 to resume the work in the morning. Many natives were seen, and 

 smoke was rising in several places. On the 6th of September, we 

 continued our surveying operations, and shortly afterwards joined the 

 Peacock, Captain Hudson having completed his side of the island. 

 The Peacock now made the signal of land to the westward. Wishing 

 to land and make an examination of this island, as well as to have 

 communication with the natives, the boats were lowered, and the 

 naturalists from both vessels, and many officers, landed, and rambled 



