384 
SURVEY OF THE INTERTROPICAL 
1820. base is much like the spurred bulb of a tropical 
Aug-. 14. fig.” ( Cunningham MSS.) 
The island is situated at the north-west end 
of the reef, which is two miles and a half long 
and one mile broad, and composed like that of 
Pelican Island, of dead coral hardened by the 
weather, and cemented by its own calcareous 
deposit into masses of compact rocks, which, 
being heaped up by the surf, form a key that 
probably the high-tide scarcely ever covers. The 
interior is occupied by a shoal lagoon, in which, 
although not more than two feet deep, our 
people saw a great variety of fish, and among 
them a shark five feet long, which, notwithstand- 
ing there was scarcely sufficient water for it to 
float in, contrived to escape. A few shells of 
the voluta eihiopica, and some clams ( chama gigas) 
were found, but neither sort was plentiful. The 
natives, as appeared from their traces, occasion- 
ally visit the island : our people found some de- 
serted turtles’ nests, and Mr. Cunningham saw 
a pigeon that appeared to be new; it was of 
large size, and of black and white plumage: 
besides this, no other bird was seen. 
We now began for the first time to feel the 
effects of our accident at Port Bowen, for 
the tide, setting against the wind, caused a 
short swell, in which the cutter strained so much 
