CHAPTER X. 



VITI GROUP, OR FEEJEE ISLANDS. 



The Feejee Islands form one of the largest, as well as most im- 

 portant groups of the Pacific. This group of islands was first seen by 

 Tasman, in 1643. The islands discovered by him were those lying at 

 the northeast part of the group, some twenty in number, which he 

 designated as Prince William's Isles, and on account of the numerous 

 shoals and reefs, he called them the Basses de Hemskirk. 



The Duff missionary ship and Captain Bligh, of the Bounty, 

 visited this group, and they were frequented, some thirty years ago, 

 by Americans in search of sandalwood, and lately by others to obtain 

 cargoes of biche de mar, for the China market. The chart of Arrow- 

 smith of these islands was found quite erroneous, little beyond guess- 

 work : it is impossible to conceive from what sources it was derived. 



Captain D'Urville, in the Astrolabe, visited the group in 1827, and 

 in 1838 ; but his stay was short, and resulted only in the surveys of 

 a few points, so that the whole field was open to us on our arrival. 



The examination of this group was one of the duties assigned the 

 Expedition, and proved one of no common labor. The surveys made 

 by the Expedition have rendered its intricate navigation safe, and have 

 removed the apprehensions of its many dangers to seamen ; it may 

 now be considered as one of the most thoroughly surveyed groups in 

 the Pacific. 



The Viti Group consists of 154 islands and 80 reefs, lying be- 

 tween the latitude of 15° 30' and 21° south, and longitude 178° west, 

 and 176° 30' east, several outlying islands to the south being included, 

 though not properly within the limits of the group. Yet I have 

 thought they ought to be embraced, particularly as they are inhabited 

 by Feejeeans, and are under the control of the chiefs of the Eastern 



