BY D. MAWSON, 409 



FuTUNA is a small island 2^ miles in diameter, situated about 

 36 miles due east of Tanna. 



It appears to be practically wholly volcanic, rising abruptly 

 from the sea to a height of 1930 ft. As it is directly in a line 

 with the earlier eruptive centres, it may be composed of andesite 

 lavas. 



Erromanga is larger than any of the preceding islands. The 

 dimensions are approximately 30 miles by 20 miles, with an area 

 of 330 sq.miles. It is rugged and mountainous; the highest 

 peak is reported to be about 2750 ft. high. 



From the ship, the island appeared to be composed for the most 

 part of lavas and volcanic agglomerates; at lower levels, however, 

 a well-developed terrace-formation of raised coral reefs was seen 

 to predominate. The Rev. W. Gray reports having counted six 

 or seven of these terraces up to a height of 800 ft. Mr. Morrison 

 has noted coral at a height of over 400 ft. at Dillon's Bay, and 

 mentions also the existence of tablelands at an elevation of 

 lOOUft. as a dominant feature; this suggests a positive movement 

 of the land of 1000 ft. or more. To the east of Port Narevin, 

 some five miles distant, is a high rocky islet hardly more than one 

 mile in diameter; it appears to consist entirely of volcanic rocks. 



Efate is considered by some writers to be the southernmost 

 island of a northern subdivision of the Group, as uot only is it 

 the junction-point of the two northern arms, but it is separated 

 by a comparatively wide gap of 63 miles from Erromanga, the 

 northernmost island of the southern subdivision. 



It is necessary here only to outline the main features as the 

 island is dealt with in detail in Part ii. (p. 435). 



The dimensions are approximately 22 miles by 18 miles, with 

 an area of 300 sq. miles. Of the two very fine harbours. Port 

 Vila^' and Havannah Harbour, the former has been chosen as the 

 main shipping station and central port of call for vessels trading 

 in the Group. The mountain system is arranged with a main 



* The native name is Fila; the general use of the corruption Vila is due 

 to its adoption by trading companies. 



