180 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



The direct course through, is east-northeast and west-southwest ; it 

 affords ample room for a vessel to work in. It must be borne in 

 mind, when navigating through it, that the tides are strong, and that 

 the flood sets to the northward and westward, while the ebb runs with 

 some velocity to the southward and eastward : during the night there 

 is generally little or no wind, and a vessel may consequently be sub- 

 jected to the full action of the tides. In order to enable whaling 

 ships to obtain their longitude correctly in passing this group, I car- 

 ried meridian distances from the Observatory at Ovolau, to the peaks; 

 their true positions, therefore, have been ascertained with much 

 accuracy through azimuthal bearings and distances determined by 

 triangulation. 



The latitude of the Peak of Kantavu is 19° 05' south, and its longi- 

 tude 177° 58' east. 'Mbenga Peak is in latitude 18° 22' 30" south, 

 and longitude 178° 07' 30" east. The southeast point of Vatulele is 

 in latitude 18° 37' 30" south, and longitude 177° 39' 30" east. 

 Navula Point (west point of Viti Levu) is in latitude 18° south, 

 longitude 177° 12' 30" east. 



OVOLAU. 



The Island of Ovolau is very nearly the geographical centre of the 

 Viti Group, and taking into consideration its position, fine harbors, 

 fruitful soil, and the ease with which supplies can be obtained, both 

 of wood, water, and provisions, ranks first among the islands. It is 

 of an ellipse form, its longest diameter being 8 miles, north and south, 

 while that of its shortest is 5 miles, east and west. Its surface is 

 very much diversified into hill and valley, and some of its peaks rise 

 abruptly to the altitude of 2500 feet ; between the highest there are 

 deep chasms and many rivulets, which join and form large brooks be- 

 fore they reach the sea ; these afford a sufficient supply of water to 

 irrigate its surface, by which a constant verdure is maintained, and 

 it may be obtained in any quantity. The island is composed of 

 volcanic conglomerates. Some of its lesser peaks rise up in basaltic 

 needles. 



On Ovolau there are many towns and villages; the principal of these 

 are Levuka, Voona, Vi Tonga, and Livune. These are in different 

 districts, and under different chiefs, who are frequently at war with 

 each other. The interior of the island is held by the mountaineers, 



