204 December 1854 Japanese Seas 23rd (continued) We found ourselves among the small rocky islands off the E. W. coast of Japan, the nearest being "Roche Poncee" upon which with other angles was taken. 24th N. lat. 31°42' E. long. 128°38' /Steering to N° 4 knots Wind N. Weather cloudy Sunday Temp. 52° The "Asses Ear" and other islands came in sight and were triangulated upon. 25th Christmas N. lat. 32°03' E. long. 127°31' Steering about the Asses' Ear Wind N.E. Weather pleasant Temp. 56°. We had an entertainment in the Ward Room, - all sorts of good tings, with wines, Champagne and Eg- Noff ad lib. - to which all the officers were invited from the Commander to the Master's Mates. A very jolly time. At 8 P.M. I heard the order "Ready about" suddenly given, and running on deck found we had got round just in time to clear a dangerous rock not laid down in the Charts. The black Craggy Mass seemed but a stone thrown from our taffrail. 26th N. lat. 32°05' E. long. 128°09' Steering about "Asses Ear" 4 knots Wind Variable, light Temp. 64° Fixing the position of the rock discovered last Night, which was called "Vincennes Rock" At from the large islands of Goto were in sight to the N.E? 27th N. lat. 31°18' E. long. 129°39' Steering about, Surveying with a stiff breeze, Yonda that sail. Wind N. Western cloudy. Temp. 60°. We passed again "Roche Poncee" and other islands, discovering a new group of rocks which were called Dobbins's Rocks (some are wastfully proposed to call them "Dobbins' Ears", in contra-distinction to the Asses' Ears") In the afternoon we made the Kiwsin, part of the main lands of Japan, ahead. 28th N. lat. 31°16' E. long. 130°28' Steading to E° N°. 4 km. Wind N. Temp. 50. Western cloudy but cool and not very unpleasant. We rapidly approached the W. N.E. coast of Kiwsin, and ran along close un- der its lee, which gave us a fine panoramic view of the country and coast. More beautiful scenery can scarce exist, and our enjoyment of it is scarce equalled by any thing which has yet occurred in this cruise. As we pas- sed along, opening one after another the little coves and harbors each occupied by its village and fishing boats, we would shut closely by the separating promontories, with their