GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY OF TTA^VAII. 97 



often found in these beds in a semi-fossilized state, pointing to the way in which 

 similar fossils have been embedded elsewhere in much older deposits. 



The rate of deposition of this valuable fertilizer is necessarily very slow and 

 is in direct proportion to the bird population. While it continues to be de- 

 posited, the amount is small as the colony has been seriously interferred with 

 owing to the slaughter of the greater number of the large albatross, which doubt- 

 less have always been the chief factors in guano production in these waters. 



JIaro Reef was also the discovery of an American whaling ship in 1820. It 

 is a rough quadrangular wreath of white breakers, about thirty-five miles in 

 circumference, with no land in sight. 



Dowsett Reef is but thirteen miles south of Maro, and like it, is evidently 

 a young reef as compared with Laysan, since only a few rocks are awash here 

 and there above the breakers. It was named for Captain Dowsett of the whal- 

 ing brig "Kamehameha," whose vessel struck on the reef in 1872. 



Gardner and French Frigates Shoal. 



Coming next to the second divisiim of tlie leeward chain, we find, with the 

 possible exception of Frost Shoal, which is thirteen miles southwest of Nihoa, 

 that they are no longer wholly of coral formation. Gardner, the first of these 

 islands, is a cone-shaped rock 170 feet high by 600 feet or more in diameter. 

 There is a small island lying a short distance to the east of the main rock, but 

 deep water comes up close to the main island on all sides, and vertical sea cliffs, 

 sixty or seventy feet high, surround if on all sides. It was discovered by an 

 American whaler in 1820, but has seldom been visited since. This is the first 

 exposed evidence of volcanic rock to be met within the chain, and is of special 

 interest, since it is more than 700 miles east and south of Ocean Island, 

 and is at least 600 miles northwest of Honolulu. Such facts give the reader 

 an idea of the magnificent distances one encounters in traveling through the 

 length of the Hawaiian group. It also emphasizes the extent and magnitude 

 of the chain of volcanic mountains submerged in the central north Pacific, of 

 which, according to the legend of Pele's coming, previously related, and the 

 opinion of learned geologists, only the tops of the tallest peaks are exposed. 



The French Frigates Shoal - is about thirty square miles in extent and 

 was discovered by the great navigator. La Perouse, in 1786, and by him named 

 for the two French frigates under his command. A striking volcanic rock. 

 120 feet high, rises from the lagoon, which is filled v,nth growing reefs and shift- 

 ing sand-banks. The surroiuidinu' reefs form a barrier about the volcanic point 

 witliin and is perhaps the liest example of this form of reef in the gvouii. 



Xeckee Island. 



Xecker Island was discovered in 1786, during the same expeditidii that 

 made the French Frigates Shoal first known to the world. If was named by 

 the discoverer for the great French statesman and financier who convened the 



= Not Frigate as usuiilly written. 



