106 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



northwest angle, it has an opening, through which small vessels may 

 enter into the lagoon ; near by there is a pond of fresh water, on the 

 lagoon side. There are a few inhabitants, and fish can be obtained. 

 Cocoanut palms and the Pisonia tree grow quite large on this island : 

 with the latter, the natives build their canoes. The lagoon is deep, 

 and from its weather side being overliown, in the outlet a strong 

 current usually sets out, except a short time before high water, which 

 is, therefore, the best time to enter. 



MANHII, OR WILSON'S ISLAND. 



Manhii was discovered by Wilson in 1796. It is a low coral island, 

 trending west-by-south and east-by -north, 13 miles in length : its 

 greatest breadth is across the centre, where it is five miles. There is 

 a narrow and tortuous though deep entrance on the southeast side : 

 small vessels engaged in the pearl fishery enter here, and find secure 

 anchorage. At its western end, fresh water can be procured from 

 pools. There are a few detached cocoanut palms of large growth on 

 this island ; the rest of the vegetation is small. Some few natives 

 were dwelling on the island. The fish of this island at some seasons 

 of the year are believed by the natives to be poisonous. 



AHII, OR PEACOCK'S ISLAND. 



Ahii may have been the Waterland of Le Maire, seen in 1616. It 

 very much resembles Manhii, excepting that it trends more to the 

 south. Its length is 15 miles west-southwest, and widest part 6 miles. 

 It has an opening into its lagoon, which is shallow, but plentifully 

 supplied with fish ; these at certain seasons, as at Manhii, are reported 

 by the natives to be poisonous. There are no cocoanut trees on this 

 island, and I am inclined to believe never have been. The natives visit 

 it from the surrounding islands for the purpose of catching fish. It 

 has no fresh water. The distance between it and Manhii is eight and 

 six-tenth miles, on a west-three-fourth-north course. 



TIOKEA AND OURA ISLANDS. 



Tiokea was probably discovered by Le Maire, in 1616, who gave 



