38 IOWA STUDIES IN NATURAL HISTORY 
with open spaces covered by a green grass that we afterward 
found to be excellent material, when dried, to use as packing for 
the fragile branched corals. 
We felt very well pleased with the prospect of abundant marine 
material and a comfortable home while engaged in reef work. On 
the way back we visited the neighboring island of Nukulau and 
met the keeper, Mr. Sadler, who agreed to call on us once in a 
while to see how we were getting along and also to bring such 
supplies as he could furnish. He is an Australian who has spent 
his life roaming about the South Pacific and can tell stories of 
his varied adventures that would make Frederick O’Brien sick 
with envy. 
Our most difficult problems were transportation to and from the 
island and the matter of delivery of supplies at regular intervals 
from the nearest market, Suva. We met Mr. Andy Smoothy that 
evening, a man who owned several launches and had the econfi- 
dence of Secretary Fell. We really had no continuous use for a 
launch as there was no way to keep it safely near Makuluva, there 
being practically no shelter in stormy weather or even a safe 
anchorage. Moreover, we had no intention of trying to dredge 
as we lacked dredging equipment and none was to be had at Suva. 
Further, it was evident that the water was too rough outside the 
reefs and too shallow inside. Mr. Smoothy understood the sit- 
uation and after thorough discussion the following plan was agreed 
to by both parties: On June 7th his large launch was to take the 
party to Makuluva with the entire equipment for laboratory and 
reef work, personal luggage, and supplies for about a week; he 
promised to help us land on Makuluva and then take the launch 
back to Suva the same day. On June 12th and 17th the small 
launch was to take any of us who desired to go to Makuluva, land 
us, together with provisions for about a week, and return with 
any members who desired to leave the island. On June 22d the 
large launch was to take the entire party, equipment and collec- 
tions back to Suva and land them there. In this way we would 
have to pay not more than four days’ launch hire and would be 
relieved of the responsibility of keeping an expensive boat in the 
dangerous water around Makuluva. 
Mrs. Stoner undertook the purchase of necessary supplies at 
Suva and their delivery to the island on the days agreed upon. 
Secretary Fell very generously provided a whale-boat belonging 
to the Colonial Government for our use. Mr. Pilling found an 
