STRUCTURE OF CORAL ISLANDS. 167 
reef is wanting, and the sea and lagoon have unbroken com 
munication. In place of it, there are two to ten fathoms of 
water, and a bottom of coral sand. Small vessels may sail in 
almost anywhere on this side to good anchorage, and there is 
a passage for ships of the largest size. The depth within is 
greater than on the bar, and these inner waters obviously cor- 
respond to the lagoon of other islands. 
Apaiang has much resemblance to Apamama in its forest 
border and lagoon. Moreover, there is a ship entrance through 
the southwestern reef. 
Marakei is one of the prettiest coral islands of the Pacific. 
The line of vegetation is unbroken. In a view from the mast- 
head it lies like a garland thrown upon the waters; the un- 
practiced eye scarcely perceives the variation from a circular 
form, however great it may be. The grove is partially inter- 
rupted at one point, where there are indications of a former 
passage through the reef. 
Tari-tari, lying to the north of Apia, is a large triangular 
atoll. It is wooded almost continuously on the side facing 
southeast, and has a few spots of verdure on the southwest, . 
with three entrances to the extensive lagoon. The northern 
side is a naked reef throughout, scarcely apparent from a ship’s 
deck, except by the long line of breakers. Makin, just north 
of Tari-tari, is a mere patch of coral reef without a lagoon. 
Tapateuea is also called Drummond’s Island ; Nonouti 
is Sydenham; Aranuka is fenderville, and Apamama is 
Hopper Island. 
We add a few more descriptions of Pacific islands, with 
figures reduced from the maps of the Wilkes Expedition to a 
scale of four-tenths of an inch to a mile. 
Taiara and Henuake (figs. | and 2) are two small belts 
of foliage, somewhat similar to Maraki. 
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