group) appeared to the north, and the reef, which before had been continuous, with the exception of some small openings, now existed only as a few isolated patches.  D’Urville stood off to sea for the night, and next morning passed close to some low woody islets (Montemont) enclosed by a reef stretching to the eastward, and supporting upon it many scattered islands covered with verdure.  Bougainville’s chart was found of very little assistance; in the evening, however, they recognised the low wooded isle which he had called Ushant.  Several high rocks (Teste Isles) in sight when they stood off for the night served next morning as a connecting point.

On the 26th, a crowd of small islands, mostly inhabited, were seen at a short distance off, and in the background some high mountain summits were visible.  Approaching more closely, D’Urville observed numerous channels intersecting the coast which they appeared to divide into a multitude of islands, and it seemed doubtful whether the land seen belonged to the Louisiade or to New Guinea.  On the 27th, the two ships reached the Cul de sac de l’Orangerie—­the appearance of the land at this place was considered to “agree perfectly with the pompous description” of Bougainville.  D’Urville would willingly have searched for an anchorage here, but sickness prevented him from delaying much longer on this coast.  Many canoes had been seen during the day, and one with six men at length came off, followed by some smaller ones, each carrying two or three people.  The natives could not be induced to venture on board, and for a long time hesitated to receive some presents conveyed to them on a plank, in return for coconuts, a stone axe, and some shells.  These natives appeared to be unarmed; by signs they invited the Frenchmen to visit them on shore.  D’Urville was now anxious to determine whether, as represented by his charts,* a passage existed between this portion of the Louisiade of Bougainville, and what was then considered to be the south-east extremity of New Guinea, in the neighbourhood of Cape Rodney.  Next day, however (28th) a high chain of mountains was seen to occupy the space assigned to the supposed passage.  On the 29th, a barrier reef was found extending to the eastward in the direction of the coastline; they were unable to clearly identify Cape Rodney and Point Hood, of the English charts.  In the evening D’Urville saw a chain of high mountains which he named Mount Astrolabe, and a well marked headland (Cape Passy) beyond which the coast appeared to trend to the northward.  The expedition now shaped a course for Torres Strait, having in seven days made a running survey extending over a space of 450 miles in length, without anchoring or communicating with the inhabitants.**

(Footnote.  This matter had been discussed by the Russian Admiral Krusenstern; see Receuil de Memoires Hydrographiques pour servire d’analyse et d’explication a l’Atlas de l’Ocean Pacifique page 60.  Also in his Atlas, a general chart of the Pacific Ocean, and two others of New Guinea, and the Louisiade Archipelago, published in 1824.)