27S 



HYDROGRAPHY. 



JANE'S ISLAND. 



J ane's Island was looked for in or near the position assigned it, 

 16° 34' north, and 173° 20' west. It cannot exist hereabouts, or we 

 must have seen it ; the weather was extremely clear, and enabled us 

 to take in an extensive horizon. In this neighborhood we experi- 

 enced a strong current setting to the northward, which continued for 

 two days, causing a difference in our reckoning of 36 miles. 



AVON ISLAND. 



Avon Island has a position on many charts, yet the authority for 

 it is unknown. I have been induced to adopt it from the representa- 

 tiens of many who believe it does exist in latitude 13° 05' north, and 

 longitude 168° 30' west ; but I consider the position given it as very 

 doubtful. 



There are two shoals reported to the west of Avon Island, in 

 13° 36' and 14° 40' north latitude, in longitude 170° 30' west, which 

 rest on the same authority as the island. From falling to leeward of 

 these positions we failed to examine them. 



SMYTH'S ISLAND. 



Smyth's Island was seen by one of the vessels of the Exploring 

 Expedition. Its reef encloses a lagoon, 10 miles northeast and south- 

 west, and 5 miles wide. The island is similar to those of coral forma- 

 tion in the North Pacific Ocean, with several small islets, joined by 

 extensive reefs, and many outlying rocks. There are two low islets on 

 the northwest side of the reef ; the eastern one, a mere sand-bank, the 

 Avestern one slightly elevated, covered with verdure, but no trees. The 

 position of the last is in latitude 16° 48' north, longitude 169° 45' 36" 

 west. The reef lies deep, and cannot easily be discerned until within 

 two miles of it, even with a heavy sea upon it. Captain Johnston, of 

 the frigate Cornwallis, who discovered the island in 1807, gives its 

 position in latitude 16° 53' north, and longitude 169° 32' west. The 



