64 ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL 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 hoard, 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 hy 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 



