64 
ELLICE’S AND KINGS MILL GROUP. 
but the object of their errand was not to be misunderstood, for in each 
canoe there was a woman, which I think does not speak much in the 
praise of the whalers or other ships that frequent this cruising-ground. 
While on board, one of the natives gave them an exhibition of a dance, 
which was different from those before seen, inasmuch as it consisted 
of a variety of motions and moving from one place to another, in quick 
steps, and in throwing about the arms, with many contortions of the 
body, and vehement gesticulations. The dance was accompanied with 
a kind of song or chaunt, consisting of the monotonous repetition of 
words, uttered in a short, quick, and distinct tone; each dance was 
finished with an outstretched hand, and an earnest cry of tebake. 
It was next determined to survey Hall’s Island, called by the natives 
Maiana, as the fair wind and the night would enable Captain Hudson 
to accomplish it and return to complete that of Woodle Island, or 
Kuria. Maiana is of coral formation; the northeast and southeast 
parts are continuous land, whilst to the southwest and northwest it 
consists of a reef and bank, in some places awash, with a sand-spit 
in its lagoon. The western sides of the island are therefore very 
dangerous, and should be approached with caution, as the sea seldom 
breaks on them, and the discolouration of the water is not at all times 
to be observed. The natives of this island have the same appearance 
as those already spoken of, and use the same dialect: only one canoe 
came off, and held a short communication with the ship. The island 
appears to be thickly inhabited, but its natives have had little inter¬ 
course with the whites. It affords neither refreshments, wood, nor 
water. The survey makes this island nine miles long, in a northeast 
and southwest direction, and six miles in width, in a southeast and 
northwest direction: it is situated in latitude 00° 56' 45" N., and 
longitude 173° 04' 15" E. On its west side, on some of the banks, 
there is anchorage in from ten to fifteen fathoms of water. 
On the morning of the 15th, they made the island of Apamama, the 
Hopper Island of Duperrey, and the Simpson’s Island of the charts of 
Arrowsmith. It is about five feet above the surface of the ocean; is 
ten miles long, northwest and southeast, and five miles in width, north 
and south. The land is continuous on the north and east sides, except¬ 
ing two small strips of bare reef. There is anchorage on the west side 
in an opening between the reef and the northwest point of the island, 
which is about two miles wide. The soundings vary from two to five 
fathoms: across it, in some places, the bottom is broken coral; in 
others, it is coral sand. The entrance to the lagoon, although feasible, 
should not be attempted through this passage; but there is a good 
passage into it on the southeast side of the island, which is a mile 
