constructed and used with a dexterity and good humour which did him credit. Excellent shell-fish was also to be had in plenty: so that here both man and beast fared sumptuously.
Palmerston Island is composed of nine or ten low islets, occupying the prominent points of a circular reef, inclosing a lagoon in the centre. Capt. Cook makes some judicious remarks on the continued growth of such islands, not only by the labours of madrepores, or the insects forming the coral, under water; but by the accumulation of sand above the ordinary reach of the tide, the growth of plants, and the increase of vegetable mould resulting from their decay. He justly supposes, that this reef may eventually form one continuous island, and may even fill up the central lagoon.—In some parts were seen the most enchanting submarine grottoes, formed with corals, branching in great luxuriance, and richly diversified in their shapes and colours; while the shells with which they were copiously bespangled, and the beautiful fishes that gently glided along their surface, added much to the grandeur of the scene. On thursday, the 17th, the ships proceeded to the westward, for Annamooka, and passing Savage Island in the night of the 24th, came in sight of the isles that lie east of Annamooka, on the 28th.
On this voyage, some heavy showers furnished a copious supply of fresh water; and the Captain finding that more could be got in an hour by the rain, than could be procured by distillation in a month, laid aside the still, as a thing attended with more trouble than profit. It is observable, that although the frequent rains and intense heat between the tropics, are often injurious to health,
