131 
more than half a mile. On the north 
side of the group are several inlets or 
passages, of sufficient depth to admit 
the free navigation of the largest ships ; 
and if explored, excellent harbours 
would in all probability be found, Tn 
the inland sea are numerous beds of 
coral, which appear to be const an ly 
forming and increasing These coral 
beds ar t seen at low water, bat are all 
overflowed at high tide. The whole 
group is entirely destitute of mountains, 
and even hills, the highest land not be¬ 
ing more than six feet above the level 
of the sea at high water. By the ac¬ 
counts given me from the natives, it ap¬ 
pears that some parts have been over¬ 
flowed by the sea. Their being so low, 
makes the navigation near them very 
dangerous in the night, both because 
they would not be easily seen, and be¬ 
cause the water is very deep quite to 
the shores ; and a place for anchoring 
can scarcely, be found on the outside of 
the Island. 
The air of these Islands is pure, and 
