NORTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. 



271 



fruits, fish, &c, may be had here, and an abundance of wood and 

 water. The island is covered with a luxuriant vegetation. 



The western side is in latitude 3° 53' north, longitude 158° 23' 

 west. Captain de Tromelin has given a good determination of this 

 island, which was found to be correct, and has been adopted in our 

 tables. 



CHRISTMAS ISLAND. 



Christmas Island was discovered by Captain Cook, in 1777. It is 

 a lagoon island, semicircular in form, and 80 miles in circumference. 

 The land lying on the east and south side is in the form of a cres- 

 cent. There is an entrance into the lagoon at the west end, off 

 which lies a small island, on which Captain Cook observed an eclipse, 

 placing it in longitude 157° 32' west, and latitude 1° 59' north. The 

 productions are few ; there are some cocoanut trees and small shrubs, 

 but the vegetation is scanty. The island, being composed of coral 

 sand, and exposed to the heat of a tropical sun, with no water, renders 

 it barren. The northeast side forms a bay, with a strong current 

 setting into it; it should be avoided, as a vessel may become embayed, 

 and liable to accident. The Ship Briton was wrecked there. Not- 

 withstanding this island has been so long known, and its position 

 considered accurately determined, yet from the many wrecks which 

 have taken place on it, I am inclined to believe that there is some 

 unknown cause, or great carelessness in navigating this sea in its 

 neighborhood. It lies in the usual route for vessels bound from the 

 Hawaiian Group to the south. I feel disposed to doubt the accuracy 

 of its position, notwithstanding the high authority from which it is 

 derived, and regret it was not in my power to have it examined ; the 

 information is derived from the best authority. The anchorage on the 

 west side is safe, on a sandy bottom, in from 10 to 30 fathoms. It is 

 immediately opposite the entrance to the lagoon. 



The island, excepting at the entrance into the lagoon, is surrounded 

 by a coral reef, over which the surf breaks heavily, which renders 

 landing hazardous at any other place. 



WASHINGTON ISLAND. 



Washington Island was discovered by Captain Fanning, in 1798. 



