EL LICE'S GROUP. 



255 



NUKUFETAU OR DEPEYSTER'S ISLAND. 



This island lies to the northwest of Funafuti 45 miles ; it is a low 

 coral lagoon island, nearly square in shape, with the angles bearing 

 from each other north and south, and east and west ; the length of the 

 diagonal is 8 miles. The south, east, and west points are covered 

 with vegetation, consisting of groves of cocoanut trees ; the southwest, 

 northwest, and northeast sides being almost a bare reef, except here 

 and there a few sand islets. There are six towns on this island ; one 

 on the southwest, and the others on the east and southeast sides, which 

 contain a population of 1000. There is a passage into the lagoon on 

 the northwest side for vessels, half a mile wide ; the least depth of 

 water is 41 fathoms. The current usually sets out strong, owing to 

 the water being forced over the reef to windward. Good anchorage is 

 found under a small islet, which is readily seen, from being higher 

 than the others, and to which a vessel may carry from 17 to 20 

 fathoms, over a sandy bottom. The anchorage, though exposed to the 

 wind, is protected from the sea, except that which arises in the lagoon. 

 To the northward of the ship-passage are two boat-passages ; with 

 light boats and care the reef may be passed in many places at high 

 water. About a mile off the west hummock, there is a reef or ledge, 

 trending south-southwest for a mile or more to seaward, over which 

 the tide sweeps, but there is not much swell ; this reef lies very much 

 in the way of vessels wishing to communicate with the principal town 

 on the west point, and should be cautiously approached. Nukufetau 

 does not offer much to induce a visit. Firewood may be obtained, 

 and a small supply of water ; taro is scarce. The natives are well- 

 behaved, docile, and less addicted to thieving than those of many of 

 the other islands. 



OAITUPU OR TRACY'S ISLAND. 



Oaitupu lies to the north-northeast of Nukufetau 30 miles. Its 

 form is not known, or the extent it covers, or whether it has a lagoon 

 or not. It is well covered with trees, and the vegetation on its western 

 hummock can be seen at a distance of 15 miles. It is inhabited, and 

 the natives resemble those of Funafuti and Nukufetau. The position 



