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HYDROGRAPHY. 



groves of cocoanut palms. The shores of the bay are lined with nar- 

 row coral reefs. The anchorage is in 12 to 15 fathoms water, coral 

 mud, and good holding-ground. 



Five and a half miles to the southeast is Toba Point. Situated a 

 short distance inland is Toba Peak, one of the most remarkable peaks 

 in the group, and which was extensively made use of in our surveying 

 operations. It is very conspicuous from all the peaks, islands, and 

 reefs which lie between the two large islands of the group, and a con- 

 spicuous mark to procure bearings while navigating through the coral 

 reefs of this group. Its latitude by the triangulation is 17° 33' 30" 

 south, and longitude 178° 17' east. 



Off this part of the coast there are many coral patches which 

 require some care to avoid; they generally lie parallel with the shore, 

 are of little width, and from a quarter of a mile to a mile in length. 



The next point to Toba is Tua, 4 miles distant ; the coast has 

 nearly the same trend to the southward and eastward. The flourish- 

 ing towns of Doasan and Matagora are situated on either side of this 

 point, where supplies may be readily obtained. Along this coast the 

 ebb tide sets to the southeast, while the flood runs in the opposite 

 direction as far as the Annan Islands. 



Batatho Point is 3* miles beyond Tua ; off it lie the Navumbalavu 

 Islets, which are surrounded by extensive coral reefs. These islets 

 are situated to the east of the point, and with the reef afford protec- 

 tion both from the prevailing winds and sea ; vessels can anchor in 

 7 fathoms water under them. The reef which surrounds the islets 

 and that which makes out from Batatho Point approach near to each 

 other, but leave a narrow passage along the coast. On the point is 

 the town of Batatho. 



From Batatho Point the trend of the coast changes to south-by-east 

 as far as Verrata Point, and the coral reefs become irregular in out- 

 line and extend from the shore ; they increase in width in some places 

 to the distance of 3 miles ; their indentations are deep, but they do not 

 form any harbors. 



The small island of Nukulevu lies 3 miles south-southeast of Na- 

 vumbalavu. It is surrounded by a reef: there is a good passage 

 between it and the shore-reef for vessels. The coast of Viti Levu 

 makes a considerable bend between Batatho and Verrata Points, but 

 the coral reef cuts it entirely off, and the shore is unapproachable. The 

 two islets of Omene and Taunava are on this reef, on which there are 



