PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
1G7 
CHAPTEE VIII. 
Boat sent to examine the Channel into Bow Island Lagoon — Unexpected Interview between 
Tuwarri and his Brother — A Pearl Brig at anchor in the Lagoon — Mj^stery attached 
to the Byam Martin Islanders dispelled — Their interesting History, extensive Wan- 
derings and Sufferings — Sequel of Tuwarri’s History — Ship enters the Lagoon Descrip- 
tion of the Island — A short Account of the Natives — Visit several other coral Islands, 
and discover Melville and Croker Islands — ^Remarks on the Discoveries of Cook, Wallis, 
Carteret, &c. — Peculiarities of the coral Islands — Arrival at Otaheite. 
Feb. 
182C. 
Bow Island was discovered by M. Boueainville in 1768, and the CHAP 
■P 11 • *^0 7 "VriTT 
following year was visited by Captain Cook, who gave it its present name 
from the resemblance its shape bore to a bow. Its figure protracted 
Bpon paper, however, is very irregular, and bears but small resemblance 
I'O the instrument after which it was named ; but to a person viewing 
as Captain Cook did, the mistake is very likely to occur. It is of 
®oral formation, thirty-four miles long, and ten broad ; well wooded on 
weather side, but very scantily so on the other ; and so low in this 
Balf, that the sea in places washes into the lagoon. We sailed close 
^long what may be considered the string of the bow, while the barge 
Navigated the arch ; and thus, between us, in a few hours made the 
^frcuit of the island. 
Previous to quitting England, Captain Charlton, the consul at the 
Sandwich Islands, among other useful matter which he obligingly com- 
municated, informed me of an opening through the coral reef of this 
island into the lagoon ; and as I was desirous, at this period of the sur- 
of having a point astronomically fixed to correct the chronometrical 
