between Makkahaa and Monoofai, or the fourth and fifth isles, which you will perceive to lie off the west point of the lagoon.  Or you may go between the third and fourth islands, that is, between Pangimodoo and Monooafai, but this channel is much narrower than the other.  There runs a very strong tide in both.  The flood, as I have observed before, comes in from the N.W., and the ebb returns the same way; but I shall speak of the tides in another place.  As soon as you are through either of these channels, haul in for the shore of Tongataboo, and anchor between it and Pangimodoo, before a creek leading into the lagoon, into which boats can go at half flood.

Although Tongataboo has the best harbour, Annamooka furnishes the best water, and yet it cannot be called good.  However, by digging holes near the side of the pond, we can get what may be called tolerable.  This island too is the best situated for drawing refreshments from all the others, as being nearly in the centre of the whole group.  Besides the road in which we anchored, and the harbour within the south-west point, there is a creek in the reef before the eastern sandy cove, on the north side of the island, in which two or three ships may lie very securely by mooring head and stern, with their anchors or moorings fast to the rocks.

I have already described the Hepaee Islands, and shall only add to that description, by mentioning that they extend S.W. by S., and N.E. by N., about nineteen miles.  The north end lies in the latitude of 19 deg. 39” S., and 33’ of longitude to the east of Annamooka.  Between them are a great many small islands, sand-banks, and breakers; so, that, the safest way to arrive at Hepaee, is either by the course I held, or round by the north, according to the situation of the ship bound thither.  Lefooga, off which we anchored, is the most fertile isle of those that are called Hepaee, and consequently is the best inhabited.  There is anchorage along the north-west side of this island; but it will be necessary to examine the ground well before you moor.  For, although the lead may bring up fine sand, there are nevertheless some sharp coral rocks, that would soon destroy the cables.

What has been here omitted concerning the geography of these islands, will be found in the narrative of my last voyage.  To that narrative I must also refer, for such particulars concerning the inhabitants, their manners, and arts, as I had observed then, and about which I saw no reason to change my judgment.  At present, I shall confine myself to such interesting particulars, as either were not mentioned in that narrative, or were imperfectly or incorrectly represented there, and to such as may serve to explain some passages in the foregoing account of our transactions with the natives.