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HYDROGEAPHY. 



CHICHIA. 



Chichia is next adjacent to Naiau, and lies in the same direction 

 from Lakemba, and 30 miles from it, which places Naiau half way 

 between the two. Chichia is of an elliptical shape, its longest diameter 

 being 4 miles, while that of its shorter is 3 miles ; it is surrounded by 

 a shore-reef, which has a few breaks for canoes. The low points are 

 clothed with groves of cocoanut palms, while the uplands, rising 300 

 feet, are partially clothed with wood ; the soil is rich, and every kind 

 of the productions of these islands is raised in abundance. There are 

 about 300 inhabitants. To the west of the south end of the island 

 lies Kneass Reef, a small coral reef, circular in form, half a mile in 

 diameter. It is separated from the island one and a half miles : there 

 is a clear passage between them. This is not to be considered a 

 dangerous reef ; the sea usually breaks upon it, and therefore is well- 

 marked, and there is plenty of room to avoid it. 



ARO. 



The small island of Aro, with its three outlying reefs, named 

 Gorden, Freeman's, and Hawkins, form the northern side of the La- 

 kemba Passage. It is a very pretty island in appearance, but deso- 

 late ; lies in the centre of a coral reef, and is only frequented by the 

 natives during the turtle season. 



Gorden Reef lies 5 miles to the east-northeast ; Freeman's to the 

 southeast, 3 miles ; and Hawkins to the south, 3 miles. The first is 

 2 miles in circumference ; the second lies northeast and southwest, 2 

 miles in length ; and the third, north and south, 2 miles. On all of 

 them the sea breaks violently. Between each of them there is a free 

 passage from one to 3 miles wide. 



TABUTHA. 



Tabutha lies 33 miles north of Lakemba, and can be distinctly 

 seen from the top of the latter island. A high peak on the north 

 end, somewhat resembling a cap, gave it the name of Cap Island, by 

 which it has been known on the charts. It is 3 miles in length, 

 north-northwest and south -southeast, by 1? in width. Near its 

 northern end it is surrounded by a reef, having two boat-entrances : 

 one on the northwest, and the other on the southwest sides ; the reef 



