V I T I GROUP. 



235 



eastern extremity of Ya Asaua, and is connected by the same coral 

 reef that fringes the shore. It is high and rocky, the sides being in 

 places perpendicular, and shooting up into turret-shaped pinnacles. 

 This island is but half a mile long, of irregular shape, and has an 

 altitude of 437 feet. With the southwest end of Ya Asaua and Androna 

 it forms a very commodious and safe harbor, which I have called 

 Pulotu, one mile in extent north and south, and half a mile east and 

 west. It has two entrances, one on the west, the other on the east. 

 These openings are sufficiently wide and deep to admit vessels of large 

 size. The western one is the best. The eastern entrance has two reefs, 

 with rocky islets on them lying across its mouth, which occupy a 

 considerable part of the channel, but they can be passed on either 

 side without difficulty ; either side is safe, and may be chosen accord- 

 ing as the wind and tide are favorable. The wind generally prevails 

 from the east, and is fair for passing through the eastern entrance. 

 The situation of this harbor is easily known by Tauthake Hill, which 

 is a prominent object from all the surrounding sea. 



The western passage into Pulotu Harbor is close at the base of 

 Tauthake, which forms its northern boundary, while the north part 

 of Androna forms the south. Inside, on the left, near the entrance, 

 there is a small patch of coral, and several others well over towards 

 the eastern and northern shores ; but they are all visible, easily 

 avoided, and not in the way of vessels. The soundings vary from 

 10 to 15 fathoms, mud and sand. Water may be had on Ya Asaua, 

 but not in any great quantities ; the remarks relative to supplies is 

 ecpjally applicable to this harbor as the last. 



ANDRONA. 



The Island of Androna lies immediately south of Ya Asaua. It is a 

 high rugged island, rising to the height of 900 feet. It has a central 

 ridge ; is 3 miles long by li wide ; its form is nearly a parallelogram. 

 It is fringed with coral, which is bare at low water, and from 200 to 

 400 feet in width ; its shores are steep, and there are few spots of low 

 ground to be seen. It has several small villages visible from the sea; 

 these are mostly situated in high and secure positions. No anchorages 

 were found on its western side ; but there are two harbors on its 

 eastern side, which form very convenient havens for small vessels to 



