Page:Journal of the Royal Geographical Society of London, Volume 1 (2nd edition).djvu/225

Rh period of its first establishment to the time of Captain Beechey's visit, varied as follows:—

On the 23d of December the Blossom reached Oeno Island, in latitude 24° 01′ S., and longitude 130° 40′ W. This island is a coral formation—inclosing a lagoon with a small island in the centre, deep water all around, and a heavy surf. It is uninhabited, and was named Oeno Island afar a whale ship, whose master supposed that it had not before been seen; but the discovery belongs to Captain Henderson, of the Hercules.

Crescent Island, which they reached on the 27th of the same month, is in latitude 23° 20′, or 23° 17′ S. by another observation, and in longitude 134° 35′ W. It is an oblong, three miles and a half in length, one and a half in width; and consists of a strip of coral about a hundred yards or less in width, having the sea on one side and a lagoon on the other. Its general height is two feet above the water. The soil, where highest, reaches just six feet above the sea,—and the tops of the trees are twenty feet higher. About forty natives were seen on this small spot: they were tall and well made,—tattooed, with thick black hair and beards. Three square stone huts, about six feet high, and sheds, some open on one side only, and others on both, were seen; but no cultivation could be discerned, nor any fruit-trees, which could have furnished subsistence.

On the 29th of December they reached the Gambier Islands. This group was discovered by the ship Duff, on a missionary voyage, in 1797, and named by Mr. Wilson, her commander.