FUNAFUTI: A SEQUEL 



SIX years have elapsed since the preceding lecture was 

 delivered ; during this interval a number of dis- 

 tinguished investigators have devoted themselves to a 

 study of the observations and material amassed in the 

 course of three expeditions to the island, and at length we 

 are in possession of a full report of their labours.* 



Let us cast a brief glance over this report, and endeavour 



to discover the conclusion towards which the facts tend, t 



The story of the struggle with obstacles and acci- 



* "The Atoll of Funafuti: Borings into a Coral Eeef and the 

 Results, being the Report of the Coral Reef Committee of the Royal 

 Society," London, 1904, one vol. 4to, pages xiv and 428, and one vol. 

 plates, edited by Rev. Prof. T. G. Bonney, D.Sc., F.R.S. 



f I take this opportunity of quoting Professor David's enumeration 

 of the causes which led to the failure of the first attempt at boring. 

 He says: " (1) The supply of lining pipes, with which the expedition 

 was provided, was insufficient. (2) No steel shoes to screw on to the 

 leading end of the lining pipes were sent. (3) No under reamers con- 

 structed to project a strong stream of water from their under surface 

 were sent." Professor David adds : " Our experience of 1897 showed 

 that it was impossible with a boring apparatus wanting in the above 

 respects to have bored deeper than was done. In view of our 1897 

 experience we were surprised that it was found possible to bore, with- 

 out an under reamer, to a depth of over 100 feet in the reef rock of 

 Funafuti, as was done in the expedition of 1896 " (op. cit., p. 41) 

 For this frank explanation so generously volunteered I offer my most 

 grateful acknowledgments. 



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