sides of it, which was a
providential circumstance, for, in our endeavour to get into the
bay, we were all in the greatest danger of falling down the
cliff; indeed, if the iris had not been sufficiently strong to
have supported our weight, we must have fallen down a depth of 90
feet. We were too much pleased with, and thankful for our escape,
to attempt a second trial, as the whole of this side of the
island had the same steep appearance.

In our return, we frequently heard a very distinct cry of
"yaho," which seemed as if it was uttered by an animal or
bird.

During this excursion, we did not see a leaf of flax, or any
herb whatever; the ground, although a rich and deep soil, being
quite bare, which is rather extraordinary, as Captain Cook says
that the flax plant is rather more luxuriant here than at New
Zealand. We saw pigeons, parrots, parroquets, doves, and a
variety of other birds, in great numbers, and so very tame, that
they might be knocked down with a stick.

Large pieces of pumice stone were seen in every part; probably
a crater, or the remains of one, may be found at, or near a
mountain, which rises to a considerable height in the middle of
the island, and which I called Mount Pitt, in honour of the
chancellor of the exchequer.

As the sandy bay, on the south-west side of the island, had
not been examined to my satisfaction, Lieutenant Ball proposed
going round in the brig, and endeavour to land, which there was a
great probability of effecting, as the wind was then at
east-north-east: accordingly, at day-light in the morning of the
5th, we weighed, and ran round to the bay, which I had named
Anson-bay, after the parliamentary representative for
Litch-field. We found the surf too violent to land there, and I
now began to think it would be impossible to land on the island;
as I had nearly made a circuit of it, and had not found a place
where I could attempt landing.

There yet remained one place unexamined, which was the south
side of the island, in a bay, that appeared to be entirely lined
with a reef, on which the surf broke with great violence. The
wind being at east-north-east, we worked up for the bay, and at
noon, the master was sent to examine if there were any opening
through the reef; on his return he informed us, that landing in
the bay was very safe and practicable, as the reef terminated
about two-thirds of the bay over, and round the point of this
reef, landing was easy and safe.

On