CHAPTER II. 



ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 

 1841. 



On the 6th of March, the Peacock and Flying-Fish sailed from the 

 roadstead of Mataatu, for the islands known on the chart of Arrow- 

 smith as Ellice's Group. 



On the 7th, they lost sight of the Samoan Isles. 



The vessels pursued their course to the westward, with a fresh wind 

 from north-northeast, until the 14th, when they crossed the meridian 

 of 180°, and dropped a day in their reckoning. 



The temperature of the air during this part of the passage from the 

 Samoan Isles had increased from 76° to 84°, and that of the water 

 from 78° to 86°. 



At noon, on the 14th, they made land, and by 2 p. m., they were 

 close to what proved to be an extensive ring of small islets, situated 

 on a coral reef surrounding a lagoon. These are so far separated as 

 to give the idea of distinct islands, which has probably led to their 

 having the name of " group." These islets are well covered with 

 cocoa-nut and other trees, which give them a sufficient elevation to 

 be seen at ten or twelve miles distance. The reef which links these 

 islets is awash, over which the sea breaks with violence. There are 

 two openings in its west side, and an island off its southwest point, at 

 the distance of a mile, five miles in length by two in width. The 

 island is thirteen miles long, in a north-by-east and south-by-west 

 direction, and seven miles and two-tenths east and west. 



When the vessels had approached within a short distance of the 

 largest island, two canoes were seen coming towards the ship, only 

 one of which came near. In it were five men ; and from the familiar 

 manner in which they came alongside, it was evident they had had fre- 

 quent communication with vessels. They refused to come on board, 



D (37) 



