342 PAUMOTU GROUP. 



but the two that went to land at the village, found the surf too high to 

 attempt it. 



The north shore of Arutua Island was surveyed, when they bore 

 away, and connected it with Nairsa or Dean's Island, along which 

 they ran the whole length of its south side by daylight. The last 

 named island is for the most part a washed reef, with no opening. 

 The compact coral blocks showed themselves here more conspicu- 

 ously and in greater numbers than before seen. 



The following sketch, by Mr. Agate, will illustrate their appearance. 





After making the west end of Nairsa, Captain Hudson sighted 

 Krusenstern's Island, and then stood for Metia Island, to the south- 

 ward, on which the officers landed the next day on its western side. 

 Their examination confirmed the facts already given, relative to its 

 appearance. 



Mr. Dana found some recent shells embedded in the limestone, but 

 they had lost their texture. 



On this island, the magnetic observations were made, with the 

 Peacock's instruments. Captain Hudson also sounded with the deep- 

 sea thermometer, when within a mile of the island, in six hundred 

 fathoms ; the temperature at the surface of the water was 8G^°, that 

 below, 441°. The next day they made Tetuaroa, to the northward of 

 Tahiti, formerly celebrated as the resort of the Tahitians, for the 

 purpose of recovering from the bodily diseases brought on by their 

 debaucheries, &c. It is a low island, about six miles long, with a few 

 trees upon it, and a reef off its southern end, extending half a mile. It 

 is plainly to be seen from the high ridges of Tahiti. 



On the 14th, the Flying-Fish arrived. She had visited and sur- 

 veyed King George's Group, which appeared well inhabited, and have 

 entrances to their lagoons on the west side. The native name of the 

 two islands, is Tiokea and Oura. The southwest end of Tiokea is in 

 latitude 14° 31' 12" S., longitude 145° 09' 30" W. ; Oura bears 

 S. 68° W., distant four and a half miles. Then the tender passed to 

 Manhii and Ahii, round the north side of Nairsa, or Dean's Island, to 

 Tahiti. 



