Further discoveries were made in Australasia by M. de Bougainville. A few degrees north of Louisiade he found a number of islands which bear his name, as also straits to the north-west of Solomon's islands. One which appeared to have a good 14arbour, he cal led Choiseul island, and sent out boats to examine it. But while his people v:;ere engaged in sounding, the natives, who had previously shewn a hostile disposi tion, suddenly attacked them with ten canoes. They -iverc armed with bows, spears, and shields ; the lat ter consisting of plaited rushes, and so thickly inter woven as to be impenetrable by arrows. These sa vages advanced in good order, and dividing their force, attempted to surround the boats, and even after receiving the lire of musketry, continued to throw lances and discharge their arrows; facts which at once proved their intrepidity, and their familiarity with war. Their bravery, however, was unavailing, and two of their canoes, containing ample store of arms, were taken by the French. The natives were black, with curled hair, dyed white, yellow, and red. Those of another island went entirely naked ; the short woolly .hair of many was also stained red ; and white spots were painted oft different parts of the body. M. de Bougainville next made the coast of New Ireland, and anchored in a bay, formerly named Gower har bour, by Captain Carteret, and now called Praslin's Bag. Having afterwards traversed the north coast of New Guinea, he directed his voyage homewards.
Nearly about the same period, M. de Surville, also a Frenchman, undertook a voyage to Australasia on some commercial speculation, with the special nature of which we are unacquainted. He commanded a vessel of considerable size and force, and sailed from Pondicherry with a cargo in June 1769. On the 6th of October, being in 6° 56' south latitude, and lon gitude 151° 30' east of Paris, he saw an island which he named First Sight island, and then came in view of land with a great chain of mountains extending as far as the eye could reach. The latitude of the island was fixed at 7° 15', and its longitude 155° east of Paris. Four islets and a high mountain seemed to form the mouth of a capacious bay, which Surville determined to explore. It proved to be uninhabited, but it abounded in fruit trees, and numerous birds of beautiful plumage. Fifteen leagues south of First Sight island high mountains were seen, and Surville pro ceeding along, passed many islands, which he was de terred from approaching by the state of the shore. At length he anchored in a fine harbour with reefs and islands at the entrance, which he named Port Praslin. Various interviews took place with the na tives, whose early display of hostile intentions was averted by the conciliatory conduct of the French. Nevertheless, it quickly appeared how little they merited confidence, from leading their visitors into an ambuscade, where an encounter ensued, and thirty or forty of their own number were killed. Several of
the French were wounded, and afterwards died. The ferocious disposition of the natives prevented M.-de Surville from obtaining an intimate knowledge of the country, which was extremely inviting. He observed among the plants wild coffee, the cabbage trce,,diffe rent species of almonds, cocoa nuts, and other fruits in abundance : the shores were likewise well stored with fish, turtles, and their eggs : and though no quadruped was seen, the wild boar was said to inhabit the woods. The people were of ordinary stature, strong and mas culine; some were perfectly black, with soft woolly hair, others copper-coloured, with lank hair, and all of ferocious aspects. Most of them powdered their -hair and eyebrows with lime, and painted a white line over the eye-brows. They carried clubs, bows, arrows, and spears, and as a defence had shields of wicker work, ornamented with tufts, or tassels, of red or yellow straw. Their canoes were skilfully made by the union of several pieces, the joining of which were secured by mastic. M. de Surville, by a stratagem, captured a young savage, who testified a good and tractable disposition, and became much esteemed in the vessel. He was carried to Lima, but whether or not to France, we arc ignorant. From him much interesting information was obtained respecting the manners and products of his country. It was governed a chief, who enjoyed unbounded authority, and the respect shown to him was said to be so great, that the simple treading on his shadow was punished with death. M. de Surville was now amidst an archipelago of islands, in which he judged there were good harbours and fertile grounds. He discovered a detached island in 9° 46' S. Lat. and 4° 20' E. of Port Praslin, which, from the calms and adverse winds he experienced, he called Isle des Contrarieffs. Canoes from iLsurrounded his vessel, but the natives were uncommonly shy : they were quite naked, and seemed of different race's ; some with remarkably large heads, resembled African negroes. Their apprehensions were quickly dispelled, and the chief came on board; his canoe was of workmanship singularly neat, inlaid with different coloured wood and pieces of mother of , pearl. On comparing the result of M. de Surville's observations, it has been concluded that he was navigating among the Solomon islands ; and it has justly been regretted, that he was prevented by untoward circumstances from Complet ing their survey. The whole countries which he dis covered were named by him the lands of the Arsacides ; and to warn future navigators of their treacherous inhabitants, he left inscriptions in Port Praslin. Af ter losing half his crew by disease, NI. de Surville was unfortunately drowned when going ashore at Lima.