OCEAN SIDE OF THE ATOLL 111 



The ocean side of the reef is one of the pleasantest 

 parts of the island ; a cool breeze almost always blows 

 there ; and, under the welcome shelter of the palms and 

 pandanus which crown the summit of the storm-beach, 

 one may watch the beautiful and impressive spectacle 

 below (Fig. 32) ; the ocean, of a deep majolica blue, rolls 

 inwards in majestic waves, which suddenly grow gigantic 



FIG. 32. Tidal Platform and Margin of Reef. 



as they approach the shore, towering in a wall of water 

 above the reef ; and then spring with a furious roar into 

 a confusion of white foam, which seethes about the 

 madder-tinted margin of Melobesia, rushes through the 

 chasms of the tidal platform, and often spouts up through 

 the blow-holes with sudden and explosive violence, like a 

 kind of marine geysers. It is only on calm days that the 

 extreme margin of the reef can be approached with safety. 



