once more within the United States.

CHAPTER VII.

I will now proceed to give the reader some account of the Islands I
visited, and of the manners and customs of the natives, and shall
endeavour to be as candid and correct as possible.

The Mulgrave Islands are situated between 5 and 6 degrees north
latitude, and between 170 and 174 degrees of east longitude. They are
about 50 miles in length, and lie in the form of a semi-circle,
forming a kind of inland sea or lake; the distance across it being
about 20 miles. The land is narrow, and the widest place is probably
not 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. In the inland sea are numerous beds of coral,
which appear to be constantly forming and increasing. These coral beds
are seen at low water, but are all overflowed at high tide. The whole
group is entirely destitute of mountains, and even hills, the highest
land not being more than six feet above the level of the sea at high
water. By the accounts given me from the natives, it appears that some
parts have been overflowed 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 because 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 the climate hot; but the heat
is rendered less oppressive by the trade winds, which blow constantly,
and keep the atmosphere healthful and salubrious for so low a
latitude.

The soil, in general, is productive of little besides trees and
shrubs, and most of it is covered with rough coral stones.

The productions are breadfruit in its proper season, and cocoanuts,
which they have throughout the year; and a kind of fruit different
from any that grows in America, which the natives call Bup--all
growing spontaneously. Of the leaves of the trees the women
manufacture very elegant mats, which they wear as blankets and
clothing; of the bark of a vine they make men's clothing; and of the
husks of the cocoa they make ropes and rigging for their canoes, and
for almost every other purpose. The waters round the Islands abound
with fish, and the natives are very expert in catching them.

There are no animals