VITI GROUP. 



151 



and there are no soundings. The south and southwest portion of 

 the reef breaks heavily, while that on the north and northeast shows 

 at times but a rip. There appears to be a constant set of the current 

 to the northeast near this island, articles from vessels wrecked here 

 having been found deposited on the southern islands of the Eastern 

 Group of the Feejees. 



The island has about 50 inhabitants, who have native missionaries 

 among them ; but they have a very scanty supply of food, and no 

 water is to be found except by digging pits near the beach. The 

 island is of volcanic formation. There is a small opening through 

 the reef on the southwest side, near to where the Ship Shylock was 

 wrecked, but it can only be used for boats. 



This dangerous reef should be avoided, and in passing the island to 

 the southward it should be given a good berth. 



ONO ISLAND AND BEREGHIS EEEF. 



Ono Island was discovered by Bellinghausen, in 1820. It consists of 

 several islets, surrounded by a coral reef 7 miles in length, trending 

 northeast and southwest. The largest islet is 3 miles long by li 

 wide. There is an entrance through the reef, but I am not informed 

 whether it is practicable for vessels. The island is inhabited, and 

 produces the fruits and vegetables of the neighboring islands. To 

 the southwest, 19 miles, lies Bereghis Reef, a bank of coral; this was 

 also discovered by Bellinghausen, in 1820. It is 4 miles long, in an 

 east and west direction, by 2 miles wide. 



FULANGA. 



Fulanga is 4i miles in length by 21 wide : it is surrounded by a 

 shore-reef of some width ; the north bluff of the island is 150 feet in 

 height. On the northeast side there is an opening for small vessels 

 into an extensive bay, at the head of which there is a village 

 with a small population, principally engaged in building canoes, for 

 which the timber growing on the island is large and well adapted. 

 Supplies can be obtained, and water also, but with some difficulty, on 

 the southeast end. Fulanga forms the first island on the left of the 

 passage of the same name, and is separated from Ongea 8 miles, which 

 is the width of the channel. 



