208 
CRUISE OF R.M.S. CHALLENGER. 
Sept. 2th .— At an early hour this morning proceeded 
under weigh, and after a few hours 5 run hove-to off 
Booby Island, where a party landed for shooting 
and to look up the post-office, a rough log shanty in 
which is kept a record book ; for it seems to be a 
rule with vessels to heave-to here, after the dangers 
of Torres Straits are passed, and leave their names and 
letters to be forwarded by the first vessel. There 
«/ 
were no letters for any of our party, but one directed 
to the first visitor, describing a sunken rock not laid 
down on the charts. 
On the boats returning, we proceeded on our way 
for the Arru Islands. For some eight days we cruised 
on a north-westerly course, having frequent success- 
ful dredgings and trawlings. On the loth, after 
passing a small detached coral reef, course was 
altered as requisite for the island we were bound 
to. The group extends from north to south about 
100 miles. Its eastern limits, however, are but im- 
perfectly known. The islands seem low and swampy, 
but, from being well-wooded, have the appearance of 
being much higher than they really are. On first 
sight, they appear as one continuous low island, but 
on nearing, intricate channels are found winding 
amongst them, through which set strong tidal currents. 
Sept . 1 6th . — We stood along the land all night, and 
early on the morning of the 16th were off the en- 
trance of Dobbo Harbour, situated between the two 
islands of Wamma and Wokan, and during the fore- 
