MALOLO. 303 
near the island of Chicobea, which is the most northern of the group, 
We took sights on it, and connected it with Unda Point. The form 
of Chicobea is oval, and it is formed of two hummocks, of conside- 
rable elevation. It is three miles long, southeast and northwest, and 
one mile and three-quarters wide; is surrounded by a shore-reef, 
which has no openings, except for boats, and offers nothing to tempt a 
vessel to land. We then ran down the reef off the northern side of 
Vanua-levu, and at noon entered the Sau-sau Passage, which is the 
first that occurs in connexion with the ship-channel within the reef. 
There, is, however, one tolerably good harbour, called Tibethe, and 
there are several towns around the bay. Indeed, the north shore of 
Vanua-levu appears to be well peopled. 
At 3 p. m., we were off the island of Mali, which is thinly inhabited. 
Native villages were seen on the high bluffs of the island. Opposite to 
Mali is the Mali Passage, through which it was my intention to put to 
sea with the squadron, which I had, in consequence, directed to meet 
me. As we proceeded to the place of rendezvous, and before sunset 
of the 9th August, we met the remainder of the squadron on their way 
to Mali, when I joined the Vincennes. The wind failing soon after, we 
cast anchor. 
I now received the reports of the operations of the other vessels 
during the time I had been separated from them. 
Under the direction of Captain Hudson, the bay of Mbua had 
been again surveyed, with all its reefs.) The work began on the 16th 
July, and continued until the 21st. As soon as it was concluded, 
Captain Hudson proceeded with the Peacock to Muthuata. During 
his absence a tent was set up at Lecumba Point, for the accommo- 
dation of the sick, who were sent on shore. The case which rendered 
this more particularly needful, was that of J. Baxter, the second mate 
of the Leonidas, who, as has been stated, had been badly burnt with 
gunpowder on the 29th June. His wounds were so severe, that from 
the first the surgeon entertained but little hope of his recovery, and he 
did not long survive. Before his decease he disclosed his real name, 
that of Baxter being an assumed one. He was a native of France, 
about thirty years of age, and his true name was Vincent Boudet. 
Our officers and naturalists, during their stay at Mbua, had several 
opportunities of making short excursions into the country. 
They found a considerable difference in the vegetation since their 
former visit, about five weeks before. Many plants, of which there 
were then no signs, were now in full bloom. Several of these were 
very showy, among which were the willow-leaved acacia, a species 
of callistemon with scarlet flowers, &c. They also met with a new 
