170 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



Totoia is 5 miles in length, east and west, by 3 i wide. Its North 

 and South Bays form deep indentations, and are separated 3 \ miles. 

 The altitude of Notch Peak is 1148 feet. 



MATUKTJ. 



The Island of Matuku lies 22 miles southwest of Totoia. It is 

 much broken. Volcanic craters are numerous, some of which are well- 

 defined ; the sides rise up in picturesque peaks, and between them are 

 fertile valleys. The island is 4 miles long, north and south, and 3 

 miles wide at its southern end, but it does not exceed li at its 

 northern. It is surrounded by an extensive reef, which has three 

 openings in it, two on the east side and one on the west ; the former 

 leads to Colvo Harbor and Rocky Cove, the latter into Carr's Harbor. 



The reef extends to the distance of li miles from the southeast 

 point, and to the same distance from the northeast point. 



The entrance to Colvo Harbor is 180 yards wide ; the sea sets 

 into it when the wind is strong. The anchorage is good, though the 

 water is 20 fathoms deep. This harbor may be easily known by 

 a craggy peak and the walled town situated on its projecting point. 

 There is a passage inside the reef for boats, to the north; to the south, 

 one exists for large vessels, so that a ship may pass round the south 

 end of the island within the reef, and make her exit through the reef 

 at Carr's Harbor, on the west. 



The entrance to the north of Rocky Point is only suitable for small 

 vessels, and is extremely intricate, from the patches of coral that are 

 situated just within its entrance. Half way between this opening 

 and Colvo Harbor there is a considerable sand-island, which rises 

 from the reef. 



Matuku affords every facility for wooding and watering, and the 

 supplies that these islands afford may be had here. 



The entrance into Carr's Harbor is 400 yards wide, but being on 

 the lee side of the island, and the course in due east, a vessel has a 

 head wind to enter ; consequently it is very difficult for any but a 

 small or quick-working vessel to succeed. The passage widens after 

 entrance, and the water is deep close to the reef. Those having a 

 desire to pass in, must take the precaution to examine the state of the 

 current, in the boats, before making the attempt; if it should be setting 

 out, it would be next to impossible to attain the anchorage. Fre- 



