92 NOTES ON THE CAVES OF FIJI, 



For the purposes of cave photography, we would recommend a 

 camera capable of being focussed within very short distances. 

 We lost many pictures through inability to focus our camera on 

 any object at distances less than seven feet. 



The camera should also be fitted into a tin case provided with 

 a closely fitting cover. The cover should be as deep as the case. 

 This provision would ensure against accident in the case of an 

 upset when crossing the numerous streams and lagoons, or when 

 caught out in any of the heavy tropical rains. 



Most plates are speedily ruined in the moist atmosphere of the 

 tropical Pacific, owing to the growth on the films of a variety of 

 fungi. They should be kept in a watertight box constructed 

 of wood which has been soaked in oil. The box should be well 

 painted, and provided with an overlapping lid, so as not to retain 

 any water. Chloride of lime may also be carried in this box as a 

 desiccator. 



B. — The Caves of Viti Levu. 



The only cavey ^'isited in this, the main island of the Fijis, 

 were those contained in the elevated tertiary ("?) limestone of 

 Walu Bay and the coast between the Singatoke Ptiver and Thuvu 

 (Nandronga). 



The limestones at the Singatoke dip seaward at about 15 to 20 

 degrees, and consist of soft and hard granular varieties much 

 resembling some sandstones in hand specimens. The fossils are 

 represented principally by pectinoid shells, echinoderm spines, 

 foraminifera, and a very few fungoid corals. In one solitary 

 instance an intercalated coral reef was found. 



At Walu Bay the beds are in distinct layers, consisting of soft 

 limestone bands, almost destitute of fossils, alternating with soft 

 belts of coral reef, and reposing on brown and blue layers of 

 volcanic mudstone, locally called " soapstone." 



The cavern at the Singatoke lies about .5 miles from the river 

 mouth, and possesses two approaches, one overlooking the sea in 



