-176- 17a. Banks Group (of the New Hebrides). "Lágrimas de San Pedro" (of Quirós) may be equiv- alent to this group. Annexed by the British in 1898, ac- cording to Brigham; or, government administered by British and French, conjointly, according to the Hydrographic Pilot. Inhabitants are decreasing yearly (syphilis very prevalent); mostly friendly at this time. Much fever in some districts. A poisonous plant, called "salata" causes ugly sores and ulcers. The Hydrographic Pilot gives the limits of this group as 13° 48' S., and 167° 05' E., and includes here Tucopia, Anuda, and Fataka (which, in the present list, are placed under the Santa Cruz group). Ababa [= Torres] . Alaba [= Torres] . Ara: small wooded islet, 250 ft. high; inhab. Is on Araa. fringing reef of Valua, off and close to s.w. point. Araa [= Ara] . Avava [= Torres]. Baba [= Torres]. Bennett: discovered by Capt. Hunter of the vessel Marshall Bennett, in 1835; mentioned by Findlay in 1851, but not in the latest edition of his 'Directory.' Said to be due south of the Banks group, distant about 14-16 miles; of good height and even appearance, and sloping at the sides; thought to be about 30-35 mi. diam., and probably inhab., as fires were seen.