It is situated in Lat. 10° 17’ N., Long. 109° 19’ W., and was discovered by Capt. Clipperton, in 1705. He appears to have sighted only the tall volcanic rock, which stands near the south end of the island, and passed on without learning of the existence of the island. It appears not to have been noticed again for more than a century, so that its position, and even its existence was doubted. The only published account of its having been visited since, are those by Capt. Benj. Morrell[12] and Sir Edward Belcher.[13] The former called there during a sealing voyage, in 1825, and gives a meagre account of it in a few lines, remarking, that “it produces a little shrubbery and some coarse grass, among which, I think, fresh water might be found by digging. Among the few vegetable productions of this island, we found a plant resembling sarsaparilla, which badly poisoned several of the crew who handled it.” Sir Edward Belcher, during his surveying expedition, wishing to verify the existence and position of the island, searched and found it. He did not land, but gives the result of his examination from the mast-head. With other remarks, he states that “it is a coral lagoon island, three miles long N. and S., and the same E. and W. There are two entrances, both on the weather side, which at high-water may be safe, but at the moment we passed, the surf was too heavy and the reflux showed the rocks bare. On the beach several large trees were observed, but no living trees were seen.” (May 8, 1839.) Lieutenant Griswold notes in his journal, as follows: “On the 6th of August, 1861, we lay on our oars, just outside the breakers on the N. E. side. At half past six we were ashore, shooting in on a high roller, which left us high and dry upon the beach, with a hole stove in our bow. The beach was covered with drift wood, and while the crew were collecting it, I started to examine the island.