The Geographe sailed through them, so that it is probable they are detached in numerous reefs.
At FORESTIER ISLANDS we saw the coast again.

The main is here very low, but from the shoalness of the water we were not able to penetrate behind Depuch Island.

It is very uncertain whether the coastline that is laid down upon the chart is correct: it was scarcely visible from the deck, and was so low that it might have merely been the dry parts of extensive reefs.

The high land retires for fifteen or twenty miles, and forms an amphitheatre or deep bay, with some hills of considerable elevation in the distance.
All the islands of this group are low and sandy, excepting DEPUCH, which is high, and of a very peculiar formation; it is described in the first volume.
We did not land upon it, but on its north-east side there appeared to be a bay, on which the French found a stream of water.
Between DEPUCH ISLAND and CAPE LAMBERT the coast is very shoal.

Towards the latter the hills approach the sea, and the bottom is deeper.