234 CORALS AND CORAL ISLANDS. 



in the distant view, the traveller, on landing, would be greatly 

 disappointed. But still there is enough that is strange and 

 beautiful, both in the life of the land and sea, and in the his- 

 tory and features of the island, to give enjoyment for many 

 a day. 



The great obstacle to communication with a majority of 

 atolls, especially the smaller, is the absence of an entrance to 

 the lagoon, and hence of a good landing-place. In that case 

 landing can be effected only on the leeward side, and in good 

 weather ; and best, when the tide is low. Even then, the sea 

 often rolls in, so heavily,, over the jagged margin of the reef, 

 that it is necessary for the boat to take a chance tO' mount 

 an in-going wave and ride upon it over the line of breakers 

 to a stopping-place somewhere on the reef or shore-platform. 



Less easy is the return through the breakers, especially it 

 the sea has risen during the ramble ashore. The boat, in 

 order to get off again, would naturally take one of the narrow 

 channels, or inlets- indenting the margin of the reef. But, 

 with the waves tumbling in one after another, roughly lifting 

 and dropping it as they pass,, and with barely room between 

 the rocks for the oars tO' be used, there is a fair chance of its 

 being dashed against the reefs to its destruction, or thrown 

 broadside to the sea and swamped under a cataract of waters. 

 If another boat with its crew were lying at the time off the 

 reef, a line, carried to it through the surf by an expert swim- 

 mer, might prove a means of rescue : — and so^ in 1840, we 

 safely reached our ship.. To those approaching such a shore 

 in a boat, prudence would give the advice— first, drop, some 

 distance outside of the breakers, a kedge or anchor, for aid 

 both in landing on and leaving the reef. But the bottom of a 

 coral island is often bad anchoring ground. And then, if the 

 kedge thus planted holds firm, in spite of the jerking waves, 

 well and good. If not . 



Bowditch or Fakaafo island is the easternmost of three small 

 atolls, situated to the north of the Samoan or Navigator Group, 

 near the parallels of 8^°, 9°, and 9^° S., and between the meri- 

 dians of 171° and 172^° VV., and has already been described 



