24 BULLETIN : MUSEUM OF COMPARATIVE ZOOLOGY. 



inland is observed, and here at the same level, 6 feet above high-water 

 mark, occurs the raised reef with scattered corals and the line of beach 

 erosion. The traces of a raised sea-beach from 7 to 11 feet above the 

 present tidal limit are still fresh at their feet. These inland cliffs rise 

 some 30 or 40 feet above the flat and are encrusted with coral reef forma- 

 tions. At 16 feet above high-water mark a small patch of disintegrated 

 raised " beacli rock " may be seen. 



At Thuvu, as at Vatu Leile, the dead corals litter the reef and project 

 above its surface. It seems to have a general level of 6 to 8 feet above 

 the tide, with a higher development to the rear, rising from 16 to 20 

 feet. Traces of a more elevated beach (25 feet) also occur (Plates 30, 

 31). The reef has grown on the older inclined limestones. 



Wangava. — It has rugged slopes rising steeply (50° to 60°) from 

 base to summit, to a general level of 300 to 350 feet above the sea. 

 Half-way up the slopes traces of a " terrace " may be seen. The ceutre 

 of the island is depressed, containing a lake which rises and falls with 

 the tide, as I am informed by Hon. W. L. Allardyce. (A similar case 

 occurs at Nomuka, in the Tongan Group.) 



Taviuni (Plate 8). — It is of blunted wedge-shape, and its axis, 

 determined mostly by volcanic cones and craters, lies approximately 

 north-northeast and south-southwest. As seen from the south, it is 

 cone shaped. An examination of the western slopes reveals flows of 

 basaltic lava partially hiding masses of older lava flows of steeper 

 slope. To the east it falls precipitously, and the later basalt does not 

 appear to have influenced the topographical features of this division of 

 the island. 



An inland lake occurs at the 2800 feet level. It is either contained 

 in an extinct crater or has been formed by the closing in of dome-shaped 

 masses on one another. A curious feature in this old lake is the re- 

 peated occurrence of long narrow belts of water running in all directions 

 through the bog. Their edges are sharply denned by the transparency 

 of the water when contrasted with the surrounding bog. 



Ovalau (Plate 6). — One of the most rugged and picturesque 

 islands of the group. It is contained wholly within the Viti Levu 

 barrier. It is 2100 feet in height, and is composed of huge beds of 

 evenly dipping strata carved into deep valleys, aiguilles, cliffs, and dome- 

 shaped masses. These strata are andesite agglomerates, in places con- 

 sisting of augite-andesite blocks loosely aggregated, in others of angular 

 blocks firmly welded together, aud again beds of andesite ash occur full 

 of augite crystals. 



