C H A P T E R XXIII.
General Ideaof the Iflands .— O f
— O f the Chief Minifter.— O f ih e P ^ v m ^ .— Of%be‘Na^
ture o f Property a t Pelew.
T HE Palos or PELEWiflands are a chain of froail
iflands, fituated between the 5th and 9th‘.degree of
north latitude, and between 130 and 136 .degrees;*^ eaft
longitude from G r e enw ich , and lie in a N. E. and S. W.
direction : they are long but narrow, of a moderate height,
well covered with wood, atleaftfuch of the iflands asour
people had aii opportunity of feeing; They are circled on
the weft fide by a reef of coral, of which no end cofild be
feen from any eminences they were on; this reef in feme
places extends five or fix leagues from the lhore, and in no
parts that were vifited lefs than two or three.
The reader will bear in mind that the A n telope was
not a Ihip particularly fent out to explore undifcovered regions,
or prepared to inveftigate the manners of mankind ;
it had not on board philofophers, botanifts, draughtfmen,
or gentlemen experienced in fuch fcientific purfuits as
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