336 PAUMOTU GROUP. 



over the western part of the island for several hours. The few natives 

 were very friendly, and informed us that the native name of the island 

 was Manhii. This is, in all probability, the Waterlandt of Schouten 

 and Le Maire, and also Wilson's Island of the Duff. There is a large 

 and deep entrance in the southeast end into the lagoon of Manhii 

 Island, in which, the natives informed me, vessels had often anchored, 

 whilst engaged in the pearl-fishery. Many cocoa-nut trees were seen 

 on this island, and fresh water is to be procured from a pool on the 

 southwest side. The island at this end is upwards of half a mile wide 

 to the lagoon ; the coral reef is here quite broad. Soundings are not to 

 be had with one hundred fathoms of line, fifty feet from the edge of it. 



There were some small compact coral rocks here and there, but no 

 regular upper or second shelf ; the lower coral shelf was three hundred 

 feet in width, and had many long longitudinal cracks, from six to eight 

 inches wide, resembling those seen in ice-fields. In some places these 

 were quite deep, and in the chasms numerous shells of the chama 

 species presented to our view their beautiful colours. Some of the 

 gentlemen reported that they found a stone sarcophagus, or something 

 much resembling one. We made a set of magnetic observations on 

 this island, and many shells, plants, &c, were procured. 



To our surprise, one of the men of the Peacock, by the name of 

 Penny, here deserted from the boats. He had been formerly much 

 among the islands, engaged in pearl-fishing, and spoke the language 

 well. Strict search was made for him, until the officer in charge of 

 the boats became satisfied that he had no intention of returning. On 

 hearing of it, I was convinced that he had chosen this opportunity to 

 leave us, particularly as he must have been aware that there is very 

 frequent communication with Tahiti. The chief of this island informed 

 us that he was a relative of the one-handed chief of Raraka. 



The east end of the island lies in latitude 14° 26' 22" S., longitude 

 146° 04' 20" W. 



Several of us had our feet severely blistered, from going barefoot on 

 the reefs, and were made very uncomfortable from this cause. After 

 returning on board, we bore away to the other island, to which the 

 natives gave the name of Ahii. I have also added that of Peacock 

 Island, to mark that its correct position was first established by the 

 Expedition. It lies west three-fourths north per compass from Manhii, 

 and was found by the patent log to be eight and six-tenths miles from 

 reef to reef. On coming up with it, the Vincennes and Peacock took 

 opposite sides, and surveyed it ; and the next morning parties landed. 

 [ was hardly able to move, on account of my feet, but the desire of 

 getting observations of the eclipse, urged me to make the attempt ; I 



