ELLICE'S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 



75 



son had a boat lowered at once, by which he was put on board a 

 canoe, that took him to the shore. 



Two or three of the officers landed for a short time, but saw nothing 

 except a few fishing huts. Under the eaves of the huts, large shells of 

 the Tridachna gigas were placed to catch water. The entrance into 

 the lagoon has four and a half fathoms of water, and is about one-third 

 of a mile in width. 



Mr. Peale found no quadrupeds except rats, which were in great 

 plenty, and running in all directions ; of birds there were but few ; 

 white terns and noddies were seen in the groves, and a few moths 

 were caught. 



Mr. Rich found some tall Pisonias, Tournefortias, two species of 

 [Jrticae, a Boerhaavia, and some cocoa-nuts. On the larger island they 

 seem to have a much greater variety of trees, but it was not visited. 

 They have bread-fruit, taro, and yams of two kinds, which are culti- 

 vated in the manner already described. 



ARMS, ARMOUR, ETC., OF THE KINGSMILL GROUP. 



