to thirty fathoms. The Starling anchored in twentyeight fathoms mud, 2′,7 miles from the point.

The inner point of Middleburg is more than two miles from the coast.

Wood for fuel is plentiful, and tamanu of large size overhangs the water.

On the morning of the 26th, we found ourselves at the mouth of Dampier's Strait, but the breeze proving light, did not succeed in getting abreast of Point Pigot before eight in the evening. Our noon position showed the charts to be defective, the whole eastern side of Waygiou forming a deep and extensive bay, and our latitude being much to the southward of Point Pigot, although its island bore to the southward of west from us. With respect to the current also, we were much disappointed, not having experienced its action during the whole day.

We noticed an extensive line of sand banks between Point Pigot and the south-eastern point of Waygiou, which, although of interest to the surveyor, are too close in to cause uneasiness to the navigator.

About eight P. M., we took a fine breeze from S. S. E., which helped us for a few hours, carrying us past the islands off Cape Pigot. At four in the morning we found ourselves close to two low islands, and as I conjectured them to be the "Foul Islands," the ship was tacked until daylight, when my suspicions were confirmed. We had no sound

ings, with one hundred fathoms, but could hear the surf sound very distinctly. The line of current was now very distinctly apparent on the surface, and with a light air from south-east, we edged over for Pigeon Island, for the purpose of fixing one decided position in this strait, as well as to obtain the exact time of high water; this being the change of the The stream anchor was dropped, and means taken to avail ourselves of every advantage during our necessary delay.

moon.

Our observations having been completed, and a rough survey made, we embarked about three, when the anchor was weighed, but the flood-tide having made too strong for the breeze, compelled us to anchor again until slack water.

Our observations disagree very materially with the charts. The relative position of the islands is also very erroneous, our rough survey having narrowed the channel several miles.

Pigeon Island is a mere strip of land, surrounded by a coral ledge. Landing is easily effected at halftide, on the S.W. point: but at low water, springs, the waterline shows a steep coral belt, having some inches water within, over sand and coral, for a cable's length.

The island is pretty well wooded, the whole of the S.W.point alluded to abounds with the Casuarina equisetifolia, or Ito of Sandwich Islands, Tahiti, &c., or commonly termed "iron-wood." It is difficult to cut when of large growth, and dry; but in its green

state not more so than other hard woods. It forms excellent fuel, and does not ferment in the hold, an evil to be cautiously avoided in tropical regions: I strongly suspect the mangrove, and I placed great faith in keeping my ship clear from fever on the coast of Africa, by never admitting green wood, or that with the bark moist.

We found it low water precisely at noon, and from the rapidity with which the tide flowed, as well as the current slackening off, I presume that it was high water about six P. M. At ten the breeze enabled us to weigh, and after our usual dose of rain, and et ceteras, we cleared the straits in the morning.

During our detention we were visited by several canoes, and one state canoe, having on board a person styling himself Captain of Gibbie, probably the island of Geby, or Ghibi, of the charts. He was well attired in oriental costume, spoke English tolerably, and informed us that in one moon, many ships of several nations would visit his island. He was very anxious that the ship should proceed there, where she would obtain supplies of vegetables and fruit.

During my conversation with this individual, I was rather surprised to hear him designate his people Papoos, and upon my questioning him whether they belonged to New Guinea, he explained that the lower order of Ghibi, Băttǎntá, and others, were designated Papoos, but which had no connexion with the "Great Island" of New Guinea. I have since been informed that they are of the same race.