T A R A W A N, OR KINGS MILL GROUP. 



203 



southern side. On the northwest end there is an opening into the 

 lagoon, nearly a mile wide ; the soundings across it vary from 2 to 5 

 fathoms, over a coral and sandy bottom, after which the water gra- 

 dually shoals, and renders this opening useless and unfit for vessels, 

 the lagoon for a long distance within being much infested with coral 

 lumps. There is a good entrance, half a mile wide, near a hummock 

 on the south side. The situation of this passage or entrance may be 

 readily known by this hummock, for which it would be proper to steer ; 

 it lies to the northward and westward of it. The course through is 

 northeast and southwest (per compass), and after getting into the 

 lagoon, a vessel may anchor in 8 to 10 fathoms, well protected by the 

 reefs from the sea. 



The Island of Apamama was discovered by Captain Bishop, who 

 gave it the name of Simpson. It lies nearly northeast from Nanouki. 

 distant 15 miles ; the latter may be seen from the western side of the 

 former. It affords but little if any water, and this would require to 

 be obtained from wells dug in the sandy beach. There are some 12 

 towns on the island, which are all populous. The natives resemble 

 those of Nanouki and Kuria, and have constant communication with 

 them. 



MAIANA ISLAND. 



Maiana is the island that has been called Hall's Island ; it was dis- 

 covered by the Brig Elizabeth, in IS 09. It is a low coral lagoon 

 island, 9 miles in length, northeast-by-southwest, and 6 miles wide ; 

 in shape a parallelogram. The northeast and southeast sides are 

 continuous land, but the northwest and southwest sides are, with 

 a few exceptions, a washed reef. Off the southern end there is a 

 sandspit, on which a vessel might anchor, in 10 to 12 fathoms 

 water. The western sides of the island are dangerous to approach, in 

 consequence of the sea seldom breaking on the reef, and its outline 

 can only be seen by the discoloration of the water ; therefore vessels 

 sailing towards it during the night should be careful not to approach 

 it too closely. 



The eastern sides are well covered with trees, consisting of cocoanut, 

 pandanus, &c. ; they render the island visible 10 to 12 miles. 

 There are many towns on the island ; it is quite populous. 

 The inhabitants have a close resemblance to those of the other islands 



