88 January 1834. Western Pacific was afterward submitted to me. I found it to consist of a soft grey calcareous ooze or mud, containing numerous minute foraminifera in a chalky state, scarce fit for determination, (See figures and notes) February, 1834 1st S.Lat. 11° 29' E.Lon. 168° 31' Wind Vbl. N to 2k. This afternoon the Northwest wind sprung up and set us along at about three knots. 2nd S.Lat. 11° 37' E.Lon. 165° 06' Wind NW. N to 6k. We now enjoy a fine breeze, and as we are approaching the Santa Cruz group, the ship was hove to at night. 3rd S.Lat 11° 43' E.Lon 166° 49' Wind NW. N to 5k. In the morning we saw land to the Northward, and to the Eastward. The former was the island of Oury, the latter Vanikoro, famous for being the place where the unfortunate La Perouse was shipwrecked, and never heard of afterward. It was a lofty island, but not much broken into peaks, there being only one prominent one, on the South east side. A strip of bright green extended along the shores. We approached within six miles, when the 89 February 1834 Pacific Ocean ship's Company was mustered and a tribute paid to the memory of La Perouse. The Commodore made an appropriate speech when the French flag was hoisted at the Fore, the American Ensign aft, the royals were struck and 15 minute guns fired. In the afternoon we stood off to the Southward and Westward. Two kinds of blackish petrel like birds were seen flying about the ship. 4th S.Lat 11° 59' E.Lon 166° 18' Wind N.W. N to 6k Standing to the Northward we made the island of Oury, and at Sundown were within 10 miles of it, Vanikoro being in sight far to the eastward. We then tacked and stood to the Southward. 5th S.Lat 11° 36' E.Lon 166° 20' Wind Vbl. N to 2k. Sunday Weather very squally, with tremendous rains. An imperfectly formed water-spout passed near us, which broke up after a 12 pdr was fired. Many Bonitas were seen about the ship, and a large number of sharks, (of K.10) were ogling at us from the bur. ming surface of the water, of which latter a number were caught.