CHAPTER IV. 



The Atoll of Minikoi (Continued). 



Section 3. The Atoll Keef. 



The encircling reef of Minikoi in its different aspects may be considered as typical of 

 the whole of the Maldive and Laccadive atoll-reefs. In a section three parts may be 

 distinguished — the reef-flat, the rough or boulder zone, and the inner slope. The two former 

 are to some extent sharply separated off, as their basis is a solid flat of rock, while the 

 third may be entirely formed of loose sand. There is also the outer slope to the depths 

 of the sea, but I have already referred to this in my general account of the atoll (Sec. 1, p. 27). 

 I shall, however, recur to its characters in any position where it may appear different from 

 the previous descriptions. On account of the variation it will be most convenient to sketch 

 in the characters of the reef in several different situations in a traverse of the whole 

 circumference of the atoll. In my account of the Maldives I shall as far as possible for 

 description merely refer to the reef in different situations at Minikoi atoll. 



Kodi point is essentially a sharp projection, the breadth being less than 100 yards from 

 a depth of 1^ fathoms on either side. Owing to its situation by the lagoon passage the 

 currents in and out of which, meeting with those along the seaward reef, form a whirl 

 round the point, the sea breaks heavily on either side almost independently of the quarter 

 from which the wind may happen to be blowing. Hence the two sides, experiencing almost 

 the same conditions, resemble one another closely. The point of the reef projects about 

 1 cable (200 yards) from the land, and in its centre lies a series of conglomerate masses, 

 40 yards long, running parallel to the outer edge of the reef on either side. Taking a 

 section across the centre of the point, one finds two or three little terraces on the outer 

 or east side, each perhaps 12 yards broad and rising by a 2-feet step at its outer edge. 

 They are studded with low pinnacles of the conglomerate, which also form a broken line 

 at the outer edge of each. These masses increase in size and height inwards, and are of 

 smooth contour, exhibiting externally no trace of their constitution. The whole surface 

 between is covered with low green algae, and is completely destitute of sand and boulders 

 of any sort; no corals grow, and only a few low incrusting nullipores are found towards 

 the seaward edge of the outer terrace. Further seaward the whole bottom could be seen 

 at the backwash, preceding each breaker, to be spread with red, white and pink Litho- 

 thamnion together with a few corals, principally small colonies of the most massive facies of 

 Pucillopora and Madrepora (PI. II. fig. 1). 



