in the Pacific, (J*c. 155 



imbedded shells frequently losing their texture, becoming 

 blent with the rock, and presenting merely casts.* 



The island appears to have been elevated at two successive 

 periods, between which it remained stationary for a consider- 

 able time ; as rather more than half way up the cliff is a hori- 

 zontal belt of deep excavations, exactly resembling those now 

 worn at its base by the sea. This belt is not absolutely con- 

 tinuous, being interrupted at intervals by spaces where the ac- 

 tion of the water is not discernible. Such, however, should a 

 third elevation occur, would be the condition of the present 

 base of the cliff, at which the line of excavation is apparent 

 only in those portions exposed to the action of the surf. 

 Viewed from a distance, the belt appears distinctly to divide 

 the cliff into two nearly equal portions, and in several places 

 where this latter forms an angle, large perforations are visible, 

 which must have resulted from the wearing away of the rock 

 by the surf. 



Thus have I, hastily and at random, as promised in the 

 outset, thrown together some of my reminiscences of these 

 interesting regions. At a future day I may be enabled (aban- 

 doning the indefinite specifications whose occurrence I am 

 well aware is too frequent in these remarks, but which under 

 the circumstances are unavoidable,) systematically to arrange 

 my observations, and give the details with the minuteness 

 and precision demanded by the importance of the subject. 



Since the remarks upon the influence of tides upon reef 

 channels, in a preceding portion of this communication, have 

 been in press, it has occurred to me that in connection with 

 that topic it will be proper to specify several erroneous asser- 

 tions relative to the tides generally throughout Polynesia ; 

 which derive importance from the name of their authors just- 

 ly possessing much weight, not less with scientific readers 

 than the public generally. 



* Specimens of shells in this state are also found occasionally in the tabular 

 masses of reef-rock, on the shores of some lagoon islands. These frag- 

 ments, like the rock at Matea, indicate by their structure that the main body of 

 the reefs is not a homogeneous coral rock, but a conglomerate of large pieces 

 of coral and shells, filled in and cemented together by a detritus of similar ma- 

 terials. 



