View from the top of AodoltMgi 



OVOLAU. 



Iiiklruchoni iwucft. 

 Arriv.il uf the I'lymiir iich. 



way, Tlie path we followed over the mountain 

 was the high road to the interior towns, and the 

 inhabitants of these mountains have tin- chararli i' 

 among the cannibal population of the coast, of 

 being very savage ! Just before MOB, we reached 

 the top of Audulong, and succeeded in getting the 

 meridian altiludo. The scene that now presented 

 itself was truly beautiful ; the picturesque valleys 

 of the inland of Ovolau lay iti full view beneath us, 

 exhibiting here and there snots of cultivated 

 ground, with groves of cocoa-nuts and bread-fruit; 

 the towns perched upon apparently inaccessible 

 spots, overlooking their small domains; the several 

 peaks rising around, all cut and broken in the most 

 grotesque forms, oidy one of which, that of Dillc- 

 nvulau, overtopped the one ou which wo were, 

 being about two hundred feet higher ; around us 

 ill the distance, w« had the various islands of the 

 group, and the fantastic needle-shaped peaks i>f 

 Vauua-levu were distinctly wen, although at the 

 distance of sixty miles. The detached reefs could 

 lie traced fur miles, by the water breaking on them, 

 until they wen- lost in the haw. The squadron, 

 lay quietly beneath us, and (-very danger that could 

 in any way ailed ih>- safety of a vessel was as dis- 

 tinctly marked as though it had been already put 

 upun our charts. Each officer was now directed 

 to observe a scries of angles between all the points, 

 peaks, and islands, and to enter the names of them: 

 these were obtained through thn interpreters. Tho 

 barometer was tu-t up, and observations made. The 

 signal was now given, upon which guns were fired 

 from the vessel, while we noted the time that 

 elapsed between seeing the Hash and hearing the 

 sound. The angle" of depression were also mkeii 

 of all objects. The results id tlo se different 

 methods gave the altitude of Audulong two tlutu- 

 saml mid seventy feet. 



We remained on the summit until near sunset, 

 nnd obtained much knowledge relative to the 

 situation of all the island* and reefs that lay 

 around us, which I found of much service in the 

 progress of our work. 



During our stay on Audulong, n native came up, 

 who appeared to be under the influence of great 

 fear; he reported that one of the officers had fallen 

 down, and that something was the matter with 

 him. On being asked why lie left him, he told us 

 that the chief had said G — d d— n, and that he 

 was afraid that he would kill him. Lieutenant 

 Kmmons went down with him, and after a short 

 descent, ho found Mr. Eld lying quite exhausted 

 near tho path, and it was with difficulty ho was 

 enabled to reach the town. 



Tho descent proved more toilsome and danger- 

 ous than the ascent; the slippcrinoss of the path 

 frequently brought us hi contact with sharp rocks. 

 I have seldom witnessed a party so helpless as 

 on its appeared, in comparison with the natives and 

 white residents, who ran over the rocks like goats. 

 Darkness overtook U3 before we reached the town; 

 many of tho natives, however, brought torches of 

 dried cocoa-nut loaves to light its on our way, ami 

 we reached our respective ships without accident, 

 though much fatigued. Many new specimens were 

 adib'd to our collections, and I believe all fell gra- 

 tified in having had an opportunity of viewing from 

 •. i i ., point this labyrinth of islands, reefs, 

 .uid sunken shoals. 



The Maud of Ovolau is eight miles in length, 



| north and south, by seven in breadth, east and 

 west; it is of volcanic formation, and its rocks are 

 composed of a conglomerate or pudding-stone; it is 

 high and nigged throughout. The valleys extend 

 only a short distance into the interior, and leave 

 but little level ground; they are, however, ex- 

 ceedingly fertile, with a d- > p and rich soil, and 

 are well cultivated. Its harbours are nit formed 

 by the reefs, and were it not for these, there would 

 be but few in the group; that of Levuka is safe, 

 has gisid holding-ground, and is easy ol access. 

 On the 10th, the Flying- fish was still missing. 

 Feeling satisfied that Ovolau was the most suit- 

 able place for my purpose, I selected a site for my 

 observatory on u projecting insulated |stint, about 

 thirty feet above the beach, on which was suffi- 

 cient room to accommodate QUE tents and houses. 



: J also obtained a few acres of ground from the 

 chief, for the purpose of planting a garden, which 

 was well fenced in, and placed under the direction 

 of our horticulturist, Mr. Jirnckeitridge. 



On tho It th, the instruments, tents, &c, were 

 landed and put up. The surprise of the natives 

 wos extremely great to liud a v illage or town, as 

 they called it, erected in a few hours, and every 

 thing in order; the guards on post to prevent all 

 intrusion most excited their curiosity. 



All the neeoftsaty arrangements having been 

 made, the launch and first cutter of the Viueemies, 

 under Lieutenants Aldeii, Knox, Midshipman 

 Henry, and Assistant-Surgeon Whitllo, were de- 

 spatched to survey the north shore of Viti-levu; 

 the launch and llrsl cutler of the Peacock, under 

 Lieutenant Lnmioiis, IVsod-Midshipiiiaii Blunt, 

 and Mr. Dyes, to examine and survey tho south 

 shore, visiting Vjwa, Ambau, and Kevva, the mis- 

 sionary jiosls; Chaplain Elliott was of the latter 

 party, that he might be enabled In gather informa- 

 tion from these establishments; [ni ls, who acted 

 as interpreters, were sent with buth. Orders, of 

 which the following is an exlrart, w t re is.-iied to 

 the oHicer-s in writing, in relation to the natives, 

 pointing out to them the necessity of watchful- 

 ness. 



w You will observe the following instructions 

 very particularly, and in no case depart from 

 them, unless it is for the preservation of your 

 party. 



" 1st. You will avoid lauding any where on the 

 main land or islands, unless the hitter sh add be 

 uninhabited, 



u 2nd. Every precaution must be observed in 

 treating with these natives, and no native must be 

 suffered to come alongside or near your boat.-, 

 without your boarding-nettings being up ; oil 

 trading must be carried on over tiie stern of your 

 boat, and your arms and howitzers ready to repel 

 attack. 



"3rd. You will avoid any disputes with them, 

 and never be off your guard, or free from suspicion; 

 they arc in no case to be trusted. 



"*4th. Your two boats must never be separated 

 at night, but anchored as close together as pos- 

 sible. 



" You will always keep the boats within signal 

 distance of each other, separating llieui in cases of 

 extreme necessity only fur a short lime." 



Tho Flying-Fish now made her appearance, to 

 my great relief. Her delays had been owing to 

 her having rnu (on the flth, the night after she 

 o2 



