KERMADEC TROUGH. 497 



It lias occurred to me that students would be further advantaged 

 were a distinctive name applied to that nimierous and scattered 

 group of islands between New Guinea and Cape York, Queensland. 

 This group is sometimes vaguely and with circumlocution referred 

 to as the Torres Straits Islands. This title has not, however, 

 received recognition as a name or a place on maps. I would 

 therefore suggest that this section approach the Admiralty with a 

 proposal to call the group the "Torres Archipelago." 



North and north-west from the Kermadec Islands there lies a 

 vast reniform submarine abyss, stretching from S. lat. 21° to 32°, 

 and from H long. 174° to 179°, and whose floor averages a depth 

 of 2,300 fathoms. This depression is sho^A^l in the map accom- 

 panying the narrative of the Challenger, but is there greatly 

 exaggerated. For this basin I woidd suggest the name of " The 

 Kermadec Trough." I have, &c., 



CHARLES HEDLEY. 



To the Hon. Secretary Geographical Section. 



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