CONTENTS xix 



CHAPTER XXVII 



SOME CONCLUSIONS AND THEIR BEARINGS 



Vanua Levu, a composite island formed during a long period of emergence, 

 372. The submarine plateau probably produced by basaltic flows, 373. 

 The distribution of the volcanic rocks, 374. Comparison with Iceland, 

 374. The mountain-ridges, 375. The emergence of the Fiji Islands, 

 376. Wichmann's view of the early continental condition not supported, 

 376. Age and character of the emergence, 377. The evidence of the Lau 

 Group and of the Tongan Islands, 378. Two principal stages of the 

 emergence, 379. Relative antiquity of the Hawaiian, Fijian, and Tongan 

 Islands as indicated by their floras, 379. Islands have always been islands, 

 380. The hypothesis of a Pacific continent not yet needed, 381. The 

 great dilemma, 381. Much remains to be learned of the possibilities of 

 means of dispersal in the past and in the present, 382 . Pages 372 382. 



APPENDIX. 



(1) Note on microscopical examination of stone-axes. 



(2) Note on the ascent of the tide in the Ndreketi River. 



(3) Note on the " talasinga " districts. 



INDEX 385 



