SOMU-SOMU. 145 
reef, through which there are two entrances for boats, but neither of 
them is sufficiently wide for the entrance of a vessel. This island is 
not inhabited, but the natives resort there for the purpose of fishing. 
Lieutenant Carr next surveyed the Tova Reef, which was found 
about equidistant from Totoia, Moala, and Vanua-vatu. He repre- 
sents it as one of the most dangerous outlying reefs in the group ; it is 
a mile in diameter, and nearly circular: the two former islands are in 
sight from it, but the latter, being low, was not seen. At low water 
this reef is quite dry, and it then forms a snug basin, into which there 
is a shallow passage for boats. The soundings within the reef were 
found extremely irregular, varying from two to fourteen feet. At 
high water the reef is entirely covered, and the sea breaks on it at all 
times. 
The next island that claimed Lieutenant Carr’s attention was Totoia. 
Here he discovered a passage leading through the reef, into which he 
went with the tender, and anchored in fifteen fathoms, half a mile 
distant from the shore. They found here a canoe from Vavao, 
manned by Tongese. ‘Totoia is high and much broken; it resembles 
the rest of the group in its volcanic formation; it is covered with 
luxuriant foliage, and has many fertile valleys. On the morning of 
the 20th, in heaving up the anchor in order to proceed with the 
survey, it broke at the crown, and the flukes were lost: an incident 
which does not say much for the goodness of the anchorage on the 
northern side. Lieutenant Carr thinks that this harbour can be useful 
only as a temporary refuge. It is filled with broken patches, has very 
irregular soundings, from three to thirty fathoms, and the passages 
between these patches are quite narrow and tortuous. ‘The weather 
setting in bad, they were obliged to forego the examination of a small 
part of the southern portion of the reef for openings: it is believed, 
however, that none exist. 
Among the whites and natives in the group, the natives of this 
island have the reputation of being more ferocious and savage than 
any other; they are said to be constantly at war, and are obliged to 
reside on the highest and most inaccessible peaks, to prevent surprise 
and massacre. Water and wood may be obtained here in sufficient 
abundance, but whoever visits the island should be cautious and con- 
tinually on their guard. 
Matuku was the next island. Of this they began the survey on the 
southeastern side, whence they passed round the southern shore. On 
the western side they discovered an opening through the reef, through 
which they passed, and anchored in one of the best harbours in the 
group. This I have called Carr’s Harbour. Its entrance is, perhaps, 
VOL. III. 19 
