CHAPTER XXII. 



Dangerous Archipelago of the Low Islands—Krusenstern— Squalls- 

 Discoveries — Otaheite — Matavai — Natives — Houses — Point Venus — 

 Theft— Singing-— Pomare— Sugar— Papiete— Church— Mr. Pritchard 

 —Thierry — Shells— Mr. Nott— Bihle— Paainuto Natives— Falkner — 



* Ua' — Papawa— Relics — Divine Service — Hitote— Henry— Audience 

 — Queen — Missionaries — Roman Catholics — Forming head — Meeting 

 at Papiete — Dress — Behaviour — Eloquence of natives — Honourable 

 feelings — Interesting discussion — Venilia. 



After sailing before the wind twelve days, our approach to 

 land was indicated by a black tern which flew past the ship.* 

 Tropic birds were seen on the previous day (Sd), but they 

 roam farther than tern. On the 9th we saw Honden Island, 

 one of the low coral formations, only a few feet above water, yet 

 thickly covered with cocoa-nut trees. t Our observations corro- 

 borated the position assigned to it by Admiral Krusenstern,j: in 

 his excellent chart and memoir, the only documents of any use 

 to us while traversing the archipelago of the Low Islands. 

 This archipelago is indeed extremely deserving of its appel- 

 lation, ' Dangerous f for numerous coral islets, all low, and some 

 extensive, obstruct the navigation, while unknown currents and 

 strong squalls, and a total want of soundings, add to the risk of 

 sailing there at night. Singular interruptions to the trade-wind 

 are caused by these low lagoon § islands ; not only does the eas- 

 terly wind often fail among them, but heavy squalls come from 

 the opposite direction, and more frequently by night than by 

 day. This is especially the case from November to March. 



I have before remarked (pp. 65, 66), that extensive shallows, 

 such as the Abrolhos and Bermudas, are liable to heavy squalls; 



* 3d November, lat. 1 1°.45' S., long. 126° W. 



t About 110 feet from the water level to the top of the trees. 



X Admiral Krusenstern had the kindness to send me a copy of his 

 Atlas of the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by an elaborate memoir. 



§ Most of them are little better than dry reefs encircling a shallow 

 lake or lagoon. 



