96 NOTES ON THE CAVES OF FIJI, 



An almost continuous barrier reef runs fairly parallel to the 

 periphery of the island at distances varying from 150 to 300 

 yards. The coral growths are extremely luxuriant, both in the 

 lagoon and on the seaward edge of the reef. For distances from 

 the surface of 20 to 40 feet these coral growths are wonderfully 



varied. 



The Caves. 



1. Mango. — The limestone ring is riddled with caverns. Some 

 of these exist in the form of narrow passages connected at times 

 with the outside world by deep shaft-like holes, 100 feet or 

 more in depth. These may be in rare cases varieties of sink or 

 swallow-holes (dolinas). 



A cavern in the north-eastern part of the island opens out in a 

 great cliff face, and is about 200 ft. above sea level. It consists 

 of several large apartments varying from 10 to 40 feet in length. 

 Stalactitic, stalagmitic, and " shawl " growths are common. 



Another cave in the north-east has two entrances, one in the 

 form of a gigantic chimney 120 ft. in depth, the other occurring 

 at the base of a cliff. This cavern consists of several systems of 

 chambers branching out from each other, all very large, and 

 needing the assistance of ropes in their exploration, Stalactitic 

 growths are of frequent occurrence. The bottom chamber, 130 

 ft. below the cave mouth, is very spacious, and contains hundreds 

 of swallows' nests, composed of mud. 



To the north a very large swallow (?) hole occurs, 120 ft. in 

 depth. This junctions below with a long tortuous channel running 

 normally to the direction of the chimney, and conveys the drain- 

 age of the northern part of the island to the sea. This cave must 

 be 700 yards in length. 



Another large cave occurs in the north-west. The mouth is 

 constricted, but affords entrance to a large hall 100 ft. long, 100 

 ft. wide, and some 30 ft. high, and possessed of a great wealth of 

 stalactites and stalagmites. 



Several branches take their respective points of departure from 

 this antechamber, one being very large, exceedingly dirty, and 

 dangerous for the uninitiated to explore. Large gaping holes 



