but it is rather remarkable that on three islets forming these harbours all the rocks near the beach are loose, and apparently disturbed by some violent action. In the main streams, sandstone, claystone, and porphyritic balls were found.

The breeze, failing with an unpleasant swell setting on the islands, compelled us to warp as well as tow, and it was not until noon that we considered ourselves safe on our own element again. The breeze just favoured us in time to send our men to their dinner, for which they doubtless had good appetites, and our head was then directed for Duke of York's Island, which we reached the following afternoon. We were visited by several canoes bringing cocoa-nuts, bananas, pine apples, and several fruits unknown to us; also some few shells, principally nautilus, (pompilius.) These were readily purchased for beads, but the natives were very timid and could not be persuaded to come on board.

On the day following we ran along the north western side of New Ireland, in order to ascertain how far the natives were disposed to barter, and what they had to dispose of. Many canoes put off, and, after some solicitation, not only came alongside, but the natives ventured on board. Viewed in their canoes we thought them a tall race, but I was much surprised, on actual measurement as they were standing beside us, that the man I had selected as their stoutest and tallest did not exceed five feet seven, and was spare withal.

The canoes, which appeared for the most part to be new, are constructed from a hard white wood with a red core, (probably a mimosa.) They are very simple and neat, and furnished with the customary outriggers. They generally contained three or four persons. The largest, which was about fifty feet in length, contained eight. All those who came off in the canoes were male, and entirely naked, but the females, whom we discerned dancing and waving along the beach, were covered with the leekee of the Feejees and new Hebrides. The natives who ventured on board had each a single leaf stuck in their belts, but no more.

As they brought nothing but cocoa-nuts and very small bread fruit, and were moreover very difficult to please, we very politely caused their departure, by slightly increasing our speed. I have little doubt that had we been able to anchor, stock, &c., would have been easily procured.

The indentations of the coast appeared to offer several very snug little harbours, and judging from the numerous canoes as well as from the population we saw on the beach, added to large patches of cleared land, there can be little doubt that they have sufficient produce. Probably the distance at which we were from the land at the time they put off prevented their risking live stock.

On the day following, being a little further in advance, a large and handsomely finished canoe, with

the figure-head turned inwards, paid us a visit, but were too timid to communicate. Doubtless she contained a chief, as those who managed her were silent, and did not even notice our advances to friendly communications. Our indisposition also to delay longer in this region of rains, calms, and variables, did not induce us to make much repetition, although, so long from home, "New Irish" was a novelty in The season certainly was most unfortunate, as from the nature of the coast before us I could easily imagine the scenery in fine weather to be magnificent.

our ears.

The hills of New Ireland rise to a height of fifteen hundred to two thousand feet, and are clothed from base to summit with the most luxuriant forest. In the distance the high lands of New Britain, with the magnificent peaks of " Mother and Daughter," afford a fine finish to the landscape.

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In a mercantile point of view I cannot at present perceive how these islands can prove interesting beyond the fancy woods and tortoise shell, of which latter substance every canoe appeared to possess several plates. It is of good quality, better than I have before noticed in the Pacific, and from the manner in which it was offered no doubt vessels come here to trade for it; indeed we learnt as much from Tom Starling.

It was unfortunate that such an opportunity for acquiring a more perfect estimate of these islands and their resources was completely marred, by the

dreadfully tedious weather and long sick list, which rendered further delay impossible.

We continned making but little progress through torrents of rain, and pressed by the current about one mile per hour to the N.E. On the 23rd we passed Elizabeth Island, and saw part of Admiralty Group, and on the 24th, with fine weather, passed Purdy's Island, finding the current still pressing us to the northward.

On the 25th of July, the group laid down on Arrowsmith's chart as the "Six Islands," seen by the Britannia in 1795, were in sight, as well as several other low islands to the southward, which probably escaped notice, amounting in all to ten. At midnight the westernmost was discovered ahead, but at day-break, appeared to compose part of the main land of New Guinea.

Two more low islands were also observed to the northward, and as my principal object was to select a spot free from basaltic or volcanic influence, these appeared to offer an eligible position. About the same time a deep bay was observed on the S.W. angle of what I now believed to be merely a peninsula, and my friend Kellett was immediately despatched in the Starling, to examine it, in the event of failing to find safe anchorage amongst the low islands.

On rounding the reefs which break the eastern swell, everything appeared to favour a convenient position. Lieutenant Wood was despatched to

search for anchorage, but as no bottom under seventy or eighty fathoms could be obtained free from danger, and the Starling about the same time having signalled "the port examined safe," our exertions were directed to reach it before dark. A constant current setting to the N.E., added to variable squally weather, prevented our reaching a position before nine o'clock, when we anchored near the Starling in twenty-five fathoms, mud. Kellett having anchored her at sunset, with orders to show a light, joined us to pilot us in.

The morning (27th July) showed us a very snug and picturesque bay, but heavy rain prevented our landing until eleven, when a sandy spot on the north side of the bay was selected as most convenient, and commanded by the ship's guns. To prevent the chance of misunderstanding, a sufficient force was landed to put anything like opposition out of the question, and a space soon cleared for our tents.

The natives, who met us, appeared rather nervous, but very soon recovered their self-possession, and exhibited more good-humour than the accounts of previous navigators had led me to expect. They brought but little to traffic, and appeared to be impelled more by curiosity than any other motive, and, although the means were at hand, (by procuring shells and other curiosities,) they could not be induced to exert themselves, probably fearing to go too far from their arms, which were no doubt con