increased as we drew nearer to the land, almost baffled our efforts. We
succeeded with much difficulty in getting within eleven miles and a half
of the western extremity of the group, distinguished by a small round
hill, which at noon lay due east, our latitude by observation being 11
deg. 30' 32", and our longitude 194 deg. 34'. From this point we could
see the group, stretching to the verge of the horizon, in a
south-easterly and north-easterly direction. We again attempted to
approach them nearer; but not succeeding, we were obliged to continue our
course to the westward, contenting ourselves with determining the
position of the western extremity, 11 deg. 40' 11" latitude, and 194 deg.
37' 35" longitude, from which point they must stretch considerably to the
east. These, like other coral islands, probably lie round a basin: of
population we could see no trace, though there was every appearance of
their being habitable. I named them, after our worthy Doctor and
Professor, Eschscholtz, who was now making the second voyage with me.

It is unnecessary to add any thing here respecting the situations of
these three groups of isles, which have been laid down, with the
greatest possible accuracy, in the chart accompanying this volume; one
thing only I beg to observe, that they bear not the slightest
resemblance to the Pescadores described by Wallis. He did not possess
the facilities for ascertaining the longitude, which have been invented
since his time. His Pescadores may be situated elsewhere; but even if
one of these groups should be the Pescadores, we may justly claim the
discovery of the other two. This discovery is of some value, inasmuch as
these groups are no doubt the northern extremity of the Ralik chain;
and their position and distance from Radak being now ascertained, there
will hereafter be little difficulty in discovering the remaining groups
of the chain.

From the Eschscholtz Isles we steered for the Bronus Isles, it being my
wish to try the accuracy of their geographical position, and to
ascertain whether the interval between the two groups was wholly free of
islands. On the 11th of October, at noon, being in latitude 11 deg. 21'
39", and longitude 196 deg. 35', the Bronus Isles were descried from the
mast-head, at a distance of twenty miles. We approached within a mile
and a half of the southern extremity of the group, from which point we
were able to survey the whole, which we found, like other coral gro