194 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



break in the reef about the middle of Ba Bay ; it is 2 miles long, and 

 one wide, and leads into the Sea of Viti. 



Numerous streams of fresh water enter into these bays, and 

 anchorage is to be found in almost any part, in from 5 to 15 fathoms 

 water, muddy bottom. There are a few coral shoals in the former, 

 but they are easily avoided. It is confidently believed that no other 

 dangers exist. It is well, however, for vessels to be on the lookout. 

 The Leonidas Passage lies abreast of the Dongaloa Islets, and at the 

 eastern terminus of Egleston's Bay ; it is a mile wide, and is the best 

 pass through the reefs into the Sea of Viti. To proceed further to 

 windward or to the eastward, within the reefs, is exceedingly labor- 

 ious, and causes much delay, — the wind being for the most part of 

 the time dead ahead, and some of the passages between the reefs are 

 too narrow for a ship to beat through. Many of the sea-reefs are 

 covered with sand, and show at low water as extensive sandbanks. 

 On the northern shore of Viti Levu, the fishery of the biche de mer is 

 extensively carried on. The sea-reefs are of great extent and well sup- 

 plied with this animal. Wood and water may be procured along this 

 coast in many places, particularly in Ba and Egleston Bays. 



There are many towns along the coast of Ba. From the water they 

 are concealed from view by the thick growth of mangroves which stud 

 the shore. Thick forests cover the extensive plain between the two 

 points. Ba Point separates Ba from Egleston Bay. 



From Dongaloa Islets to Batia Point, is a distance of 4i miles. 

 Batia Point is a sharp point, projecting to the northeast, and forming 

 one of the boundaries of Batia Bay, which lies directly to the east- 

 ward of it. The point is high and rocky, with Batia Islet adjoining, 

 forming a part of it. The sea-reef approaches within half a mile of 

 Batia Islet. The passage is narrow, but is free from obstructions. 



Directly north of Batia, there is a small sand islet on the sea-reef, 

 which is visible at low water ; it points out the channel leading 

 into Batia Bay from the sea. At the head of Batia Bay is the large 

 town of Batia, and near it is Tokotusi Peak. The country around 

 is extremely fruitful, and supplies may be had in quantities. The 

 chiefs require permission from Ambau to furnish them. 



Batia Bay is 3 miles in depth, by 2 miles across its mouth. On 

 the east it has a projecting reef, 2§ miles to the northward, towards 

 the Sakau Passage, and approaches to within one-third of a mile of 

 the sea-reef dividing Batia from Sakau Bay. Sakau Bay is 8 miles 



