PENRHYN ISLAND. 277 



believe that it cannot be calculated upon during the months of Decem- 

 ber, January, and February, south of latitude 14° S. 



On the 6th of February, they made Flint's Island, situated in 

 longitude 151° 48' W"., and latitude 11° 25' 43" S. It is of small size, 

 being only one mile and a half in length, from north-northwest to south- 

 southeast, and thickly wooded : high breakers extended off its point for 

 some distance, and the surf was so high that it was deemed impossible 

 to land with a boat, which is to be regretted, as these isolated islands 

 are always extremely interesting. No inhabitants were seen. The 

 current was found to be setting to the westward. 



The next island searched for was one reported to have been seen by 

 Captain Cash. It was discovered on the 8th, and proved to be a low 

 sandy islet with a lagoon. It is well wooded, half a mile in diameter, 

 of oval shape, with heavy breakers surrounding it. Landing was 

 reported to be impossible, and no attempt was made. After determining 

 its position to be in latitude 10° 05' S., and longitude 152° 22' 30" W., 

 they bore away for the position of Penrhyn Island. Lieutenant-Com- 

 mandant Ringgold believed the island last spoken of to be Staver's 

 Island, and by this name it is designated on our charts. At night the 

 water was very phosphorescent : its temperature 78°. 



The Porpoise next passed over the supposed site of Teinhoven 

 Island, without seeing any signs of land, and thence northwest across 

 two positions assigned to Penrhyn's, examining particularly that given 

 by Captain Cash, in latitude 9° 58' S., and longitude 158° 14' W. No 

 island, however, was seen. Proceeding further to the northwest, they, 

 on the 15th, discovered land, which proved to be Penrhyn Island, about 

 thirty miles west of its place on Arrowsmith's Chart. It was of the 

 usual coral formation, low, and densely covered with trees, among 

 which the cocoa-nut was the most conspicuous. 



The vessel stood off and on all night, and on the 16th, at sunrise, 

 canoes were discovered approaching the brig, in great numbers, many 

 of them large. At seven o'clock, two came alongside, and others soon 

 followed them. As the numbers of the visiters increased, they became 

 more bold, and clambered up the sides, uttering loud and savage yells. 

 They were the wildest and most savage-looking beings that had been 

 met with, vociferating in a frightful manner, and accompanying their 

 exclamations with the most violent contortions and gesticulations : they 

 seemed frantic with excitement. These natives were quite naked, 

 except a few who had on a small maro of cocoa-nut leaves. 



The canoes contained from seven to sixteen men each, all equally 

 wild. The noise they made was almost deafening; every individual 

 talking earnestly in a language not comprehended by our party. The 



