214 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



channel is very much obstructed by innumerable coral patches, and 

 the sea-reef approaches within a few hundred yards of Tibethe Point. 

 This is the end of the channel along the north shore of the great 

 island of Vanua Levu for large vessels; smaller ones may pass through 

 the break in the reef into Tibethe Harbor. The sea side of the 

 Great Sea-Reef, between the Mali and Sau-sau Passages, trends north 

 53° east, 12 miles ; from thence, a distance of 15 miles, it runs nearly 

 due east to the Aramula Passage. In the latter space the reef is 

 much more irregular in its outline, and not so broad, as it is between 

 Mali and Sau-sau. 



The Aramula Passage leads from sea into Tilingitha Roads and 

 Tibethe Harbor. Its course is south half east, and its length 4 miles, 

 and from one-half to a mile wide. At the head of Tilingitha Harbor 

 is Bukalau Island, which is low, a mile in length, lying within the 

 shore-reef; near its eastern end a fine rivulet, called Endregatta, 

 empties. At the mouth of this rivulet is a considerable town of the 

 same name. Tibethe Harbor extends from Tibethe Point to Tilin- 

 githa Islet, and joins Tilingitha Roads. It has many coral patches 

 in it, but still sufficient room for small vessels ; the depth of water 

 is from 3 to 8 fathoms, and good holding-ground. Large vessels 

 should not attempt to go farther in than Tilingitha Roads, where 

 they may anchor in 7 to 9 fathoms off Tilingitha Islet. 



Tilingitha Islet is small and low, in shape a triangle, with its 

 base to the eastward. It is covered by a dense vegetation. The 

 length of either of its three sides does not exceed half a mile. It lies 

 within the reef, and is a mile from the shore ; there is no passage 

 to the eastward for a large vessel. Vanua Levu again becomes 

 low, is bordered with mangrove bushes, but rises a short distance 

 inland in high peaks, which are conspicuous a long distance at sea. 

 Bush Peak bears south half east off the entrance of the Aramula 

 Passage. Water, wood, and provisions may be had here ; the 

 natives are civil and ready to exchange their products. The coast 

 from Endregatta trends to the northward of east for three miles to 

 Bunabugea Point, the boundary of Vicuna Harbor on the west ; 

 the shore-reef here extends off and unites with the sea-reef, forming 

 a wide flat, which is nearly dry at low water. East from Tilingitha 

 Roads, there is an extensive bight, but no greater security for a 

 ship to anchor in it, than that which is to be found in the road. A 

 boat may use this bight to facilitate her route to the eastward, being 



