208 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



have been discovered by the Brig Elizabeth, in 1809. It is inhabited, 

 but affords no refreshments. 



Onoutu, or Rotche's Island, was discovered by Captain Clest, of the 

 Ship Palmer. It is inhabited, but of small dimensions. 



Nukunau, or Byron Island, is represented as having a reef 2 miles 

 in length from its north end. It affords no supplies. Its position I 

 do not consider as very accurately fixed. 



Peru, or Francis Island, has been often seen, but I still have doubts 

 if it is well located. It is probably identical with Maria Island. It 

 is small, of coral formation, and inhabited. 



Tamana, or Phoebe Island. This island is inhabited, and well 

 known to the natives of the Kingsmill Group. There are several 

 whites on it, who are said to have obtained complete ascendency over 

 the natives. The island is small and of coral formation, and pro- 

 duces nothing more than what is required for the consumption of the 

 inhabitants. The three which lie to the west are small and unim- 

 portant. 



The climate of the Tarawan or Kingsmill Group, though of a high 

 temperature, yet is equable, and less oppressive than most islands 

 situated under the equator, being moderated by constant breezes and 

 frequent rains. From May to September, inclusive, the winds are 

 regular from the east, and the sky generally clear and weather 

 pleasant : this is the summer. The winter is from October to April, 

 when the rains are more frequent, and the winds variable, generally 

 from the westward. During this season violent gales occur from the 

 southwest, lasting three or four days, when they gradually veer to 

 the north by the west. These are sometimes so violent as to over- 

 throw houses and tear, up trees. Notwithstanding the devastation 

 these storms occasion, they are looked for with anticipation by the 

 natives, in the hope they will receive an accession of large trees, that 

 are usually thrown upon the islands by the winds and currents from 

 the southwest quarter. The trees are sometimes found to be squared 

 and hewed with an axe, but they most generally are uprooted trees, 

 with stones and resin entangled in their roots. These stones the 

 natives make use of for various purposes, as hones on which to 

 sharpen their adzes of shell or pieces of old iron hoop. They are 

 generally of the size of a man's head, and those seen proved to be 

 fine-grained basalt ; the resin is similar to that which was found 



