PAUMOTU GROUP. 



107 



it the name of Sondergrond. It is about 15 miles in length, by 3 h in 

 width, trending northeast and southwest, and has an opening of* suffi- 

 cient depth for vessels of large size, but they are debarred from the 

 lagoon by large masses of coral which break up the passage ; vessels, 

 however, may lie secure in this gut when moored. There is a small 

 harbor within the lagoon. It is the north island of the King 

 George Group, of Byron. Oura is distant 4 \ miles from Tiokea, 

 lying north-by-east and south-by-west, 15 miles in length, by 3 in 

 width. It has no opening. Both are inhabited, and Tiokea is well 

 covered with cocoanut groves ; on Oura few are now growing : they 

 have probably been destroyed during the wars. 



ARUTUA, OR RURICK ISLAND. 



Arutua was also seen by Boggewein, in 1722. It forms an acute 

 angle at its southern end ; is low, and has its north part, which trends 

 east and west, well covered with trees. Its length from north to south 

 is 20 miles, and greatest width, which is at its northern end, 10 

 miles ; a part of its western side is a low reef, with here and there a 

 small green islet on it. The island is permanently inhabited, and 

 there are extensive groves of cocoanut trees. 



NAIRSA, OR DEAN'S ISLAND. 



There are various claimants for the discovery of this island, among 

 them Le Maire, in 1616, Byron, in 1765, and The Margaret, in 1803. 

 This is the largest of all the low islands, being in length 45 miles, with 

 a width of 18 miles ; at its western termination it is 12 miles : it 

 trends for the most part east-half-south and west-half-north. On 

 the north side, towards its western end, there are two openings into 

 the lagoon, for small vessels, and anchorage is to be found within 

 it. Near the centre of the lagoon is a small island, which is covered 

 with trees. The northern side and western end of Nairsa are well 

 wooded, and some cocoanut trees grow near the entrance of the lagoon. 

 The southern side is for the most part but a submerged reef, on which 

 there are many large oblong coral blocks, standing erect, against which 

 the sea breaks heavily ; the eastern end forms an acute angle. It is 

 inhabited, and acknowledges the rule of Queen Pomare, of Tahiti. 



