Section FE. 
Core Go h A bea y, 
President of the Section: W. H. Miskin, Esq., FES. 
1.—SOME PHYSICAL PHENOMENA OF THE 
SOUTH PACIFIC ISLANDS. 
By Rev. Samuet ELLA. 
WHEN asked by your secretary to prepare a paper for the 
geographical section of your association, I felt some hesitation in 
undertaking the work, as I can lay no claim to being a 
geographer, nor, indeed, a scientist that could offer you anything 
worthy of your acceptance at your annual gathering. Yet, 
certain physical phenomena which have impressed me during 
forty years’ acquaintance with some of the South Pacific islands, 
I concluded would not be void of interest to your section ; and a 
narrative of my experience and observation, though failing in a 
constructive character, might become suggestive or illustrative 
to some more familiar with theories of physical geography than I 
am. Geographical science, indeed, is one not founded on theories 
and hypotheses, but upon established facts, and things as absolutely 
existing. We are, therefore, dependent on voyagers, travellers, 
and residents in the Pacific Islands for our knowledge of these 
regions. In many of these islands, little known to the civilised 
world, the Christian missionary and intelligent residents can afford 
much valuable and acceptable information; and it is very 
desirable that they should recognise this fact, and carefully note 
and communicate the knowledge they acquire. 
For a long period very little was known regarding the Pacific 
islands, and all correct information to be obtained must have 
been particularly interesting to Australians. Until a compara- 
tively recent date unaccountable apathy was shown in the matter 
of maritime surveys in the Pacifie. The famous American 
Exploring Expedition, under Commodore Wilkes, in 1838-42, 
was the first extensive effort made for a thorough survey of that 
part of the ocean which had attracted the enterprise of American 
whalers. This was followed up by further surveys on the part of 
the British, by H.M.S. Herald, Capt. Denham, in Fiji and the 
