MATUKI. 
189 
On the 22nd July we got under weigh, and, passing 
without the reefs, stood away to the westward. It 
was blowing somewhat squally, and in the darkness 
of the night it was by no means pleasant running 
over unknown and uncertain ground. 
At daylight on the 24th we found ourselves in the 
midst of a number of beautiful islands all girt with 
white circling reefs. Each island had its own pe- 
culiar beauty, covered as it was with luxuriant 
vegetation. About mid-day we stopped off Matuki, 
which is one of the southernmost of the Fiji group. 
A large party landed with rifles, and got excellent 
sport in the forests, while the vessel cruised back- 
wards and forwards dredging, and some excellent 
hauls were made. Among other things a fine nau- 
tilus was brought to the surface, and the opportunity 
was thus given of seeing this beautiful creature alive 
in its native element. The old popular idea that 
this animal lived on the surface, and floated along, 
using its shell as a boat while it was being propelled 
by its own sails and oars, is altogether fabulous, for 
it is now proved that the creature lives at or near 
the bottom, using its shell, with the curved side 
uppermost, as a protection, and that it never comes 
to the surface except after death. When the explor- 
ing party returned, we again proceeded on our way, 
and on the following day arrived (July 25 th) at 
Kandavu. After a couple of days here, we left 
for Levuka, a run of 120 miles, amongst most 
