SUBMARINE SPRINGS. 39 



ground,, a magnificent view from the lagoon-sea 

 that bathes its shores. But two causes can be 

 assigned for the existence of these mysterious 

 caves ; namely, lava-currents, or the inroads of a 

 turbulent sea, previous to the growth of a pro- 

 tecting reef ; and of these, the latter appears the 

 more probable cause, since we find on the ex- 

 posed coast of Matavai Bay some similar caverns, 

 filled with sea-water, and invaded by a heavy 

 surf. 



We also noticed on this coast many subterra- 

 nean streams, rising as springs of fresh water 

 from the midst of the sea, at various distances 

 from the shore. Their situation is marked by 

 small eddies, or whirls, on the smooth sea over 

 the coral reef ; and upon some of these the na- 

 tives have placed bamboos, with apertures in 

 their sides, through which the fresh water flows 

 as from a pump. When fishing on the coast, in 

 their canoes, it is not unusual for the natives to 

 dive beneath the surface of the sea and quench 

 their thirst at these fresh-water springs. 



In the afternoon we entered Papara ; a large 

 and fertile district, containing a missionary resi- 

 dence, and a Christian church of vast dimen- 

 sions. The missionary at this station is Mr. 

 Davies, whose pastoral charge (including the 

 population of Papara and some adjoining dis- 



