NORTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. 



27 I 



for them, but hitherto without success. One of the vessels of the 

 Exploring Expedition was directed to pass over this locality, on the 

 latitude of 10° 30' north. Captain Beechey, in the Blossom, and 

 Captain Belcher, with the Sulphur and Starling, passed twice between 

 the parallel of 16° and 17° 30' north, without seeing any indications 

 of land ; and it would seem that this ought almost to set the subject 

 at rest. But as this space of ocean, comprising nearly 100,000 square 

 miles, has been much frequented by whaling ships, some of which have 

 reported the existence of islands, the positions of many are marked 

 on the accompanying map. I cannot, therefore, deem it yet to be 

 fully examined, and it may be possible that there are low islands 

 situated within it. Vessels in passing to the westward, from the coast 

 of South America, run over this space ; and I have thought proper to 

 call attention to the examination of it by those who are navigating 

 within its limits, that they may devote some care to it, and add 

 to the exploration by pursuing other tracks than those which have 

 been passed over. The space which has been explored is marked by 

 a dark shade on the accompanying map. 



BIRD ISLAND. 



Bird Island lies north 51° west of Kauai, 100 miles. It is a 

 league in circumference ; a naked rock ; was discovered by Captain 

 Douglass, of the Iphigenia, in 1789. It does not appear to have been 

 known to the Hawaiians previously. It affords nothing, but is gene- 

 rally surrounded by birds, which at different seasons seem to frequent 

 opposite sides of it. In the spring, summer, and autumn, they will 

 generally be found to the south westward of the island, but in the winter 

 to the northeast. This points out the prevalence of the current near 

 this island at those seasons of the year, — the food of these sea-fowl 

 being found in the greatest abundance under the lee of the island ; 

 and by these indications the situation of the island may be known to 

 navigators, in the various seasons, when passing in its neighborhood. 



PALMYRA ISLAND. 



Palmyra is a lagoon island, discovered by Captain Sawle, of the 

 American ship Palmyra, in November, 1802. It is 14 miles in length, 



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