THE COMPLETED ATOLL. 241 



emerging coral de'bris over the reef, there are the Portulacc^e 

 (species of purslane) ; the Triumphetta procumbens, a creeping 

 yellow-flowering plant of the Tilia family; the Tourjiefortia 

 scricca, a low, hoary shrub, of the family Boraginaceae, and 

 Sccevola Konigii, a sub-fleshy seashore plant. 



On Rose Island, just east of the Navigator Group, Dr. C. 

 Pickering, of the Wilkes Exploring Expedition, found only a 

 species of Pisonia and of Portulacca. This is a small atoll, 

 under water at high-tide, excepting two banks, one of which 

 is covered with trees. 



In the Marshall Group, on the contrary, where the vege- 

 tation is more varied, and the islands have probably undergone 

 some elevation since they were made, Chamisso observed fifty- 

 two species of land-plants, and in a few instances the banana, 

 taro, and bread-fruit were cultivated. At the elevated coral 

 island, Metia, north of Tahiti (p. 157), 250 feet above the sea, 

 sugar-cane and breadfruit, and many plants of the Society 

 Group, occur. 



Water is to be found commonly in sufficient quantities for 

 the use of the natives, although the land is so low and flat. 

 They dig wells five to ten feet deep in any part of the dry 

 islets, and generally obtain a constant supply. These wells 

 are sometimes fenced around with special care ; and the 

 houses of the villagers, as at Fakaafo, are often clustered 

 about them. On Aratica (Carlshoff) there is a watering 

 place 50 feet in diameter, from which vessels of the Wilkes 

 Exploring Expedition obtained 390 gallons. The Gilbert 

 Islands are generally provided with a supply sufficient for 

 bathing, and each native takes his morning bath in fresh water, 

 which is esteemed by them a great luxury. On Tari-tari (of 

 the Gilbert Group, p. 133), as Mr. ELoratio Hale, philolo- 

 gist of the same expedition, was informed by a Scotch sailor 

 by the name of Grey, taken from the island, there is a 

 trench or canal several miles long, and two feet deep. They 

 have tai'o plantations (wliich is possible only where there is 

 a large supply of water), and besides some bread-fruit. He 

 spoke of the taro as growing to a very large size, and as being 



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