178 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



however, for vessels communicating with this island to be upon their 

 guard ; for although the natives are disposed to be friendly, yet, if 

 opportunity offers, they will detain an officer for a ransom. Large 

 spars may be had here, the island being well covered with lofty 

 timber on its high lands. The most remarkable peak on the island 

 is situated at its western end. This is known as the Peak of Kan- 

 tavu ; it is of a cone shape, and its top has the appearance of being a 

 crater. The altitude was found to be 2879 feet. 



The coast of Kantavu, to the east of Mallatta Bay, is destitute of 

 coral reefs, excepting at one point, where a small patch occurs, until 

 the approach to the island of Ono, situated off its eastern end, and 

 divided from it by a channel 3 miles wide, in which there are many 

 coral patches. The Island of Ono may be reached without difficulty 

 by a vessel, and good anchorage found under it on its west side. 



Ono is 12 miles in circumference, and rises about 80 feet above the 

 sea, in the form of a regular dome ; from it the great Astrolabe Reef 

 extends to the north 12 miles, and has a mean breadth of 3 miles. 

 Within this reef there are eleven small islands, which I have called 

 the Passed-Midshipmen's Group, after the officers of that rank at- 

 tached to the Expedition. On the west side, the reef is much broken, 

 and a large vessel may pass through it, and find temporary anchorage 

 under the largest islands. No directions are deemed necessary to 

 enter, as the breaks in the reef clearly show themselves. The ancho- 

 rages, however, cannot be recommended for any but small vessels to 

 make use of. The northern end of the Astrolabe Reef is rounded, 

 and has an opening of 250 yards wide. In the centre of this northern 

 bight stands an insulated black rock, which is very conspicuous. 



The eastern side of the Astrolabe Reef is unbroken, and forms a 

 slight curve to the eastward. As it trends to the south, it joins the 

 Island of Kantavu at its extreme eastern point, — Point Bligh. This 

 reef obtains its name from the narrow escape from wreck which the 

 French discovery vessel, the Astrolabe, Captain D'Urville, had when 

 in the group. From the north end of the Astrolabe Reef the high 

 land of the islands of Viti Levu, 'Mbenga, and Kantavu can be seen. 

 The Black Rock lies in latitude 18° 43' south, and longitude 178° 27' 

 east. 



The Island of Kantavu is the Mywoolla of Captain Bligh, who was 

 the first that touched at it. The north side of the island is generally 

 the resort of the English whalers for supplies, which they readily ob- 



