44 ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 



When Mr. Hale pronounced the name of Tagaloa, the great deity 

 of Polynesia, it appeared to surprise and annoy them. One of them 

 mentioned that Tagaloa was a god taboo to their country, and refused 

 to speak farther about him. 



They reported that ten ships had visited their island, and added that 

 a ship of the Wiwi people had spent some days about their island in 

 fishing: that the captain, with five others, had slept on shore. It was 

 conjectured that Wiwi was the appellation by which they distinguish 

 the French people or ships, this term being made use of in New 

 Zealand. The invitations to go on shore were accompanied by such 

 significant signs as to lead to the conclusion that they were not the 

 most virtuous people, and very unlike their ancestors, or race of the 

 Union Group, whose only desire seemed to be to get rid of the parties 

 before night. 



The extreme north island was found in latitude 7° 56' 11" S., longi- 

 tude 178° 27' 32" E. : it is eight miles long, east-northeast and west- 

 southwest; its greatest width is nearly the same. 



The vessels left Nukufetau the same evening, and steered away to 

 the northward. In latitude 6° 10' S., and longitude 177° 41' E., they 

 passed a small island which has no lagoon, and does not appear to be 

 named on any of the charts. This they saw at some distance, and 

 although it appears to have been seen before, yet as the charts only 

 designate it as an island, I have bestowed upon it the name of Speiden, 

 after the purser of the Peacock, one of the most valuable officers of the 

 Expedition. 



On the 24th, they fell in with another island, in latitude 6° 19' S., 

 longitude 176° 23' 15" E. This discovery I have called Hudson, aftei 

 Captain Hudson. It was surveyed and found to be but one mile and 

 four-tenths long, north and south, and nine-tenths of a mile wide, east 

 and west. This island is inhabited, a few natives being seen on the 

 beach, and several houses under cocoa-nut trees on its west side. It 

 is of coral formation, has no lagoon, and can be seen about eight or ten 

 miles. There are reefs extending from its north and south points 

 nearly half a mile, on which the surf breaks heavily. They had no 

 communication with its inhabitants. 



On the 25th, they passed the small island of St. Augustine, whose 

 position as ascertained was in latitude 5° 35' S., and longitude 176° 

 06' E. It appeared well wooded, but being to windward, it could 

 not be reached without much delay. The wind, thus far, among 

 these islands, had been from the north, and very unfavourable for a 

 vessel cruising among them for their examination ; and being light 

 and variable, little progress could be made in any direction. 



