CHAPTER XI. 



SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. 



STAVERS OR WOSTOCK ISLAND. 



Wostock was discovered by Captain Bellinghausen in 1820. This 

 island was seen by Captain Stavers in a whale ship. Its position has 

 been well determined by the Expedition. It is a low, sandy islet, 

 with a lagoon of oval shape and half a mile in diameter ; it is well 

 wooded, affords no landing, and is surrounded by heavy breakers. 



FLINT'S ISLAND. 



Flint's Island is reported to have been discovered as early as 1801. 

 The position assigned it was found to be erroneous by the Expedition. 

 It is a small coral island, lh miles in length, north-northwest and 

 south-southeast, is thickly wooded ; has high breakers extending off 

 its points, and landing is extremely difficult, if not impossible. 



PENRHYN'S ISLAND. 



Penrhyn's Island was discovered in 1788. It is a low coral island, 

 with a lagoon, in shape nearly oval, its longest axis trending north- 

 northwest and south-southeast, 12 miles in length, by 6 in width. 

 There is a boat-entrance into its lagoon. The sea washes over its 

 reef on the northwest side. It is densely covered with cocoanut 

 palms. There are many villages ; the inhabitants are numerous and 

 savage ; great caution is required on the part of those who are desirous 

 of communicating with them. There are several large patches of coral 



