LAKEMBA AND SAVU-SAVU. 177 
Katafanga is also a small isle, inhabited only during the turtle season. 
Its reef is much more extensive, being four and a half miles from east 
to west, and has a small opening, which would admit a vessel drawing 
ten feet of water, were it not impeded by some dangerous coral knolls. 
There are huts on its northeast point, and abundance of sugar-cane, 
fruit, and vegetables, may be procured. Both the last named islands 
are volcanic, and specimens of lava were obtained from them. The 
latter island is one hundred and fifty feet in height. 
The reef of Malevuvu is two and a half miles long, and is awash, 
with the sea breaking over it. It is seven miles north-by-east from 
Katafanga. Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold having understood 
from Tubou that the reef around Munia enclosed, besides that island, 
six others, and that there was a wide and safe passage through the 
reef, determined, on coming up with it, to enter, which he did on its 
southeast side. The islands, seven in number, were all of considerable 
size: Vanua-valavo, the largest of them, proved to be of a serpentine 
shape, and fourteen miles in length; each island had its separate reef 
around its shore, and the whole were enclosed by a very extensive reef, 
somewhat of the shape of a triangle, whose sides are twenty-four miles 
in length. The large island is in no place more than two miles wide ; 
it is situated along the western side of the triangle, and contains many 
fine bays and safe anchorages. The other islands are called Munia, 
Susui, Malatta, Ticumbia, and Osubu. Lieutenant-Commandant Ring- 
gold gave to the cluster the name of the Exploring Isles. 
Boats were dropped to survey the entrance, whilst the brig proceeded 
to her first anchorage under Munia, to which the name of Discovery 
Harbour was given. This anchorage was a good one, in eight and a 
half fathoms water, with fine sandy bottom. In the afternoon they 
landed, and, as they approached, they saw a number of natives holding 
up a white flag, most of whom soon disappeared, leaving only three or 
four in sight. The rest, as Tubou said, had concealed themselves 
behind the rocks for the purpose of attacking the boats. Corodowdow 
hailed them, on which they all appeared, and confirmed the probability 
of Tubou’s surmise, by being armed with spears, clubs, bows, and 
arrows. They, however, at once showed the utmost respect for the 
Ambau chief, crouching and stopping when he walked past them, and 
walking half bent when in his presence. 
The koro, or village, was situated some distance from the beach, 
upon hills, which were covered with bread-fruit, cocoa-nut, and 
banana trees. At the koro only two or three persons were found, 
and these appeared to be much terrified; all the rest, men, women, 
and children, had fled to the hills and bushes. This fear proved to be 
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