240 April 1855 Cusima sailing among the small islands at the south- cern end of the group. We rounded the western end of Katavaiuna and ran into the strait which separates this island from Cusima. This strait is narrow, about nine miles in length and from 1/4 mile to 3 miles in width, consisting in fact of a chain of harbors or more properly Sounds with an average depth of thirty fathoms. The shores are bold and abound in beautiful Scen- ery, and it was with sensations of delight that we sailed on into the strait, cove after cove and headland after headland opening to the view, on the shores of this pleasant "Island of Harbors", while it added much to our pleasure to consider that we are in all pro- bability the first Europeans that ever entered here. The weather being most pleasant, the breeze light but sufficient, our powers of enjoyment were fully occupied, and to most of us this was certainly the most agreeable part of the cruise. We anchored in a small bay on the south- cern shore of the strait, opposite a small village, the inhabitants of which shortly after came off in large boats to look at us. They were very cautious at first and approached 241 April 1855 Cusima warily, with frequent stopping, but at last gaining confidence they came on board. They were all of the lowest class, and smelt horribly of garlic, so that we were glad to get rid of them as soon as possible. Just after we anchored the breeze fell, and the heat on deck became very great nearly 100° F. 30th Surveying operations commenced immediately. The "Cooper" arrived, having come through the strait from the eastern entrance. She sailed again in the evening to continue the survey of the strait. I spent the morning in dredging near the an- chorage, finding only a few shells and Ophiurids on the sandy mud in 15 fms. On the rocky shores I got but little today, the tide not being well out, one 8-fingered Istioacanthonus however were found. Picking on coral bottoms in 1-3 fms along the shores, I caught a few pretty colored fish. Temperature this day averaging 75°. The tide-gauge was set up on shore, men remaining there nightly to attend it. We had no further communication with the villagers, ex- cpt occasionally on shore, We saw no women in the village, they having probably been re- moved on our arrival. Our people ranged at will over the country without molestation.