1 62 CORALS AND CORAL LSLANDS. 



Captain Hudson obtained soundings half a mile off in two 

 hundred fathoms 3 the lead struck upon a sandy bottom, but 

 was indented by coral. 



Honden or Henimke, Paumotu Archipelago. — Size 3I- miles 

 by 2 miles. Oblong, five-sided ; trending west-north-west. A 

 small shallow lagoon, communicating with the sea only at high 

 tide, on the west side. There are two other entrances which 

 are seldom if ever covered with water, and appeared merely as 

 dry beds of coral rock. Height of the island twelve feet : 

 lowest on the south side. Belt of verdure complete, and con- 

 sisting of large forest trees, with the Pandanus and other 

 species, but no cocoa-nuts ; its breadth half a mile, and in some 

 parts three-fourths. Among the trees large masses of coral 

 rock often exposed to view, and the surface in many parts very 

 rough. It seemed surprising at all these islands that there 

 should be so luxuriant a growth of trees and shrubbery over so 

 rocky a surface. Shores of the lagoon nearly flat. On one 

 side there was a large area of extremely fine coral sand and 

 mud, which extended a long distance into the lagoon. Else- 

 where about the centre of the island, the reef-rock was bare, 

 and contained numerous shells of Tridacnae. A few small 

 Madrepores still growing in the lagoon. Beach on the sea- 

 shore side eight feet high. In lower part of beach, several 

 layers of white limestone (the beach sand-rock), formed of 

 coral fragments or sand, shells, &c., much of which was very 

 compact. The layers inclined toward the sea at an angle 

 of about six degrees. Shore platform as elsewhere in this 

 archipelago. 



The facts above stated are evidence of a slight elevation, 

 probably not exceeding three feet. 



Taiara, or Kings, Paumotu Archipelago. — 15° 42' S. ; 144° 

 46' W. 2 1 miles by i j, trending north-west. Has a small 

 lagoon with no entrance. Reef almost continuously wooded 

 around, somewhat broken into patches. 



Sydney Island. — Lat. 4° 20 S. Long. 171° 15' W. Trends 

 north-east and south-west. Well wooded nearly all round ; but 

 on leeward side the forest in patches, with breaks of bare coral. 



