102 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



are generally light and variable, sometimes from the southwest, 

 until reaching Vunda Point, where they prevail from the northeast. 

 Navula Bay is three miles across from Navula Point on the south, to 

 Vavula Point on the north, and is two miles in width ; the coral reef 

 extends around it, and the shore is lined with mangrove bushes, and 

 extensive groves of cocoanut palms. There are two villages within 

 this bay, and supplies may be obtained. The next bay to Navula is 

 that of Vitiraurau, which is 10 miles in extent, from Vavula Point 

 to Talatala Point ; its greatest depth does not exceed 4 miles. In the 

 centre of the bight lies Mangrove Island, within the shore-reef. The 

 smaller bights within it are mostly filled with coral reef. The land 

 immediately around is quite low, and the shore which surrounds it 

 is entirely covered by extensive mangrove bushes. There is sufficient 

 room for vessels of any size to beat about. Good anchorage is found in 

 any part of the bay, in from 12 to 20 fathoms water, with muddy 

 bottom. The western side of this bay is bounded by the Island of 

 Malolo, and its reefs, and those of Underwood's Group ; the latter are 

 all low, sandy islands, from a mile to a mile and a half in circum- 

 ference, covered with, vegetation, and surrounded by coral reefs. 

 North of Talatala Point lies Watmough Island ; it forms the southwest 

 point of Matau Bay. Kanusi Point bounds it on the northeast. The 

 distance between these points is 6 miles. An extensive coral reef, 3 

 miles in length, lies across this bay, which affords good protection to 

 the anchorage between it and the shore, a mile and a half wide. The 

 channel between the reef and Kanusi Point is wide, and free from 

 dangers ; that between Watmough Island and the reef is partly 

 blocked up by a sand islet, but the passage between them, though 

 narrow, is safe. The Underwood Group lies off to the west, 6 miles, 

 and protects the bay on the outside from any heavy seas. The reefs 

 that encompass these islands trend towards Vunda Point, and make 

 the passage between it and Vandeford's Island very narrow. By 

 Vunda Point is the only safe ship-passage when proceeding northward 

 and eastward along this coast. The sea between the island of Viti 

 Levu and Vomo, a distance of 12 miles, is filled up by a succession of 

 reefs and patches of coral (called the Kasoa Reefs), that makes it 

 next to impossible to navigate it with any degree of safety even 

 for the smallest class of vessels. Many of these patches are visible, 

 extending in long lines, while others are scattered about at different 

 depths below the surface. After passing Vunda Point, the route is 



