SOUTH MAHLOSMADULU. 383 



The latter is also shown by the whole sand flat behind this line being strewn with the remains 

 of fallen coco-palms and bushes. Behind the sandstone of the S.E. bank a few bushes of Pemphis 

 acidula, their roots washed with every tide, continue to exist, but the sand flat to the N. is studded 

 with their gaunt stems, which even yet have not decayed and fallen. The same kind of bushes 

 also grows down on the beach along the N. half of the N.E. side of the island, forming some pro- 

 tection to the land, but the sea has broken through the line to the south, and is now slowly liut 

 surely rounding ott' the point. 



The whole changes at Turadu serve admirably to illustrate how great may be the action of the 

 sea in a very short period of time. The separate lines of sandstone, however, point to the fact that 

 such action is succeeded by prolonged periods of rest or little change, the land being almost as 

 efficiently protected against the ordinary weather by the formation of the beach sandstone as by a line 

 of coral rock. Nevertheless, the possible effect of a cyclone is perhaps more far-reaching as effecting 

 the cleaning out of boat channels, sand flats, etc. The absence of sedentary life between the land 

 and the reef at Turadu was remarkable, even the ordinary Aladrepora, Forites, and Psamniocora being 

 absent. It was noticeable further that all coral and similar growth on the sand flat towards the 

 lagoon — while, to judge from the dead colonies, formerly plentiful for such a position — had been killed. 

 Even at the time of our visit there was a considerable flux along this side of the island, which would 

 prevent the formation of fresh growth and render easy the enlargement of the lagoon. 



In the whole reef on which Turadu is situated I could find no definite faro-formation. The 

 lagoon reef of the Admiralty Chart does not exist as a definite line, in many places the slope off 

 the sand flat of Turadu island being perfectly even to 18 fathoms, the maximum depth found towards 

 Dunikolu. There are, however, a series of reef patches along its line, showing that it was not 

 improbably quite correctly placed when the survey was made. 



Dunikolu is a sandy island of slightly crescentic sha])e, lying along the E.N.E. side of a faro. 

 The island is growing to the N., S. and E., but slightly washing away on the side of the velu. 

 The whole encircling reef is covered with about one foot of water at low tide. To the E. it has 

 outside the island, which is about 100 — 150 yards back, a distinct boulder zone, beyond which lies 

 a flat covered with living corals and apparently growing outwards. No trace of any particular 

 connection or of any shoal water between this reef and that of Turadu was found. 



Embudu is a sandy island with a definite reef, which is on all sides at the least 100 yards 

 broad. The beach N. • and S. presents terraces of sandstone with a cliff above and in places fallen 

 shrubs, hut to the E. and W. the land seems growing. In the centre the island reaches a height 

 of nine feet above the high tide level, the sand having been piled up by the wind. 



Velengeli lies to the S. W. of a considerable shoal, opposite an extensive opening in the rim 

 of the bank to the N. of Turadu. This channel is one of the chief passages, by which the current 

 passes on to and escapes from S. Mahlos, and any shoal in its centre would be fully exposed to 

 the force of the S.W. monsoon. As a result the reef presents to seaward quite the character of the 

 regular encircling reefs, and it also has a distinct though less marked flat and boulder zone to the 

 E. as well. The island is pear-shaped, a broad head to the west tailing off to a point to the east. 

 It is formed entirely of small coral stones, their interstices filled in by sand, and is rather lower 

 in the centre. It is highest at the W. end, which absolutely lies on the boulder zone of the reef, 

 and here a series of ridges may be found due to pilings up of small stones by successive gales or 

 cyclones. These ridges to a certain extent increase in height to the outside, and suggest a correlation 

 with the distance of the land from the edge of the reef. Any change in the island at present 

 is local, one mainly of gain rather than of loss, but such as there is is slow and inconsiderable. 



The beach to the S. and N. of Velengeli shows a most interesting formation of rock, reaching 

 up to the high tide level. It is a true Ijeach formation, but consists of coral fragments, many 



