STRUCTURE OF CORAL ISLANDS. 165 



coral rock, one to four hundred cubic feet, on the platform and 

 upon the higher parts of the island, some of which stood five 

 and six feet above high-water mark ; they were cemented to 

 the reef-rock below, and appeared like projecting parts of the 

 reef. Layers of beach sand-rock on the lagoon shores, as well 

 as on the seaward side, inclined at an angle of six or seven 

 degrees ; characters as already described. Growing coral in 

 the entrance to the lagoon, within two feet of the surface, 

 mostly a species of Millepora (J/, squari'osa). Interior of the 

 lagoon not examined, no time being allowed for it by the 

 Expedition. The water looked as blue as the ocean, and was 

 much roughened by the winds. 



Kawehe, or Vincennes Island., Paumotu Archipelago, 15° 

 30' S.. 145° 10' W. 13 miles by 9, trending north-north-west. 

 Shape irregularly oval. Having a large lagoon, and mostly 

 wooded around, least so to leeward. Between the wooded 

 islets (as on Raraka and elsewhere), surface consisted of 

 angular masses of coral rock (among which the Porites prevail), 

 strewed in great numbers together ; and in some parts bearing 

 a few vines and purslane among the blocks, though scarcely 

 any appearance of soil, or even of coral sand. In other parts, 

 not as high, no vegetation, and surface still wet by high tide. 

 A few large m^asses of coral on the shore platform, either 

 lying loose or firmly attached below, as already described ; 

 some of them were six feet cube, and one was raised seven 

 feet above high-water mark. Shore platform about a hundred 

 yards wide, rather highest at the edge, and much of its surface 

 two to three feet under water at low tide. As elsewhere, this 

 platform is nothing but a compact coral conglomerate or lime- 

 stone, having no growing coral over it, except in some shallow 

 pools near its outer margin, where also there are numerous 

 holes in which crabs are concealed, with small fish and other 

 animals of the shores. On the lagoon shore, layers of beach 

 sand-rock, six or seven in number, dipping at an angle of 

 seven degrees toward the lagoon, and outcropping one above 

 the other. Similar layers on the sea-shore side. 



Maiihii, Wilson's or Waterlandt, Paumotu Archipelago, 14° 



