TARAWAN, OR KOGSMILL GROUP. 



267 



west about 3 miles, which is a bare reef, excepting at its northern 

 end, where there are two small islets or hummocks, well clothed with 

 cocoanut trees. From this to the northwest angle the reef is awash, 

 where there are two more hummocks, which are inhabited ; near them 

 is a boat-passage through the reef. On the west side, the reef is also 

 awash for the whole distance, excepting near the middle of it, where 

 there are two small hummocks on it, and three openings into the 

 lagoon ; one of these is a good ship-passage; it is 4 2 miles from the 

 south end of the island. The ship-passage is a quarter of a mile wide, 

 and has from 4 to 5 fathoms depth of water, with good anchorage in 

 the lagoon, near a small islet, which separates two of the passages ; 

 the third lies farther to the north, near a sand-spit, about 2 miles 

 from the north point. This entrance is half a mile wide, but the 

 ground is foul within, and there is no channel to the town, nor 

 would it be safe to anchor within. It is dangerous to approach 

 Taritari in the night, on its northern and western sides, as a vessel 

 would be almost on the reef before it was discovered. There are, 

 however, no outlying shoals or banks. The eastern side being covered 

 with wood, may be seen at a distance of 10 or 12 miles. 



Makin, the smaller island, lies off the northern point of Taritari, 3 

 miles distant. It is 6 miles long, and trends nearly north and 

 south, and is from a half to a mile wide. It has three hummocks, 

 the largest of which rises at its northern extremity. This small 

 island is of coral formation, and has a small lagoon on its north end. 

 There is a reef extending the whole distance around Makin. 



The inhabitants of Makin Island, — for by this name they are both 

 called by the natives, from the fact of the smaller island having been 

 the seat of government, — are totally different in character from those 

 of the southern islands of the same group, being as gentle, docile, 

 and kind, as the others are savage and hostile. The islands are 

 both well wooded with cocoanut, breadfruit, and pandanus, and are 

 fruitful in taro, to the cultivation of which the natives pay great 

 attention. Supplies may be procured here more readily than at the 

 other islands, though not in plenty. There has been but little inter- 

 course with these islands, and the natives are well disposed to give 

 everything they have in barter. 



There are besides these, five small islands, of which we obtained 

 information during our visit to this group. 



Arurai, or Hurd Island, is represented as very small. It appears to 



