The coast from the north point runs south-east by east, with some minor deviations, nearly four leagues: great pains were taken to ascertain this precisely, as the former charts not only place it many miles further north, but make the coast at this end lie east and west. The north-east point lies in 26º 47' north, and longitude 128º 18' east, or 40' east of the observatory. The latitude was determined by the meridian altitude of Sirius and an altitude of Polaris, so near daylight that the horizon was well defined; but as this point, off which there is a small island, was some miles north of the ship at the time of observation, the above latitude may err possibly two miles. It was intended to have examined two islands which lie to the north-eastward of the north point, but a strong current in the night carried us so far to leeward, that we could not effect this object; the situation, therefore, of these two islands, may perhaps not be accurately laid down in the chart. [Sidenote: Barrow's Bay.] The deep indenture about the middle of the east side of the island is unsafe to enter during the north-east monsoon: as the wind, however, had westing in it, we sailed up to within three or four miles of the top, carrying from thirty to twenty fathoms water; but when about to haul in for the north side, where there appeared to be a bay, we shoaled suddenly from twenty-four to eight fathoms: the helm was instantly put down, and when head to wind, we had only five fathoms. While in stays the water was observed to wash on a rock not a hundred yards to leeward of us, on which we must infallibly have struck, had we bore up instead of tacking. [Sidenote: South-east coast dangerous.] From the north-east to the south-east point, the coast runs south 40º west; the shore to the north-east of this deep bight is bold, and seems clear; that on the south-west side of it presents a formidable barrier of islands and coral reefs, which break to a great distance: in fine weather this part of the coast ought to be approached very cautiously. [Sidenote: South Point.] [Sidenote: Reef.] The southern extreme of this island lies in latitude 26º 4' 46" north, determined with great care by the meridian altitude of the sun on shore; and in longitude 127º 35' east, or 3' west of the observatory. There is good anchorage from twenty to thirty fathoms, south a little easterly, of this point. Between this point and the group of islands to the westward, there is a dangerous reef, already spoken of; it lies in 26º 7' north, and 127º 26' east; it bears 26' west, 15º north from the south point of the island, distant eight miles. Immediately round the point on the west side there is a shallow harbour, formed by coral reefs, but the entrance is narrow and intricate. [Sidenote: South-western group.]