PULO BABI 157 



is a central mountain mass with radiating arms and shore 

 plains ; in these the central high land was first elevated, and 

 formed a core for the extension of land by the agency of 

 fringing reefs where the surrounding sea-bottom has only a 

 slight inclination. 



Of this latter phenomenon Pulo Babi appears to be an 

 example, since, for some distance inland the shore is fiat, and 

 composed of coral sand and debris, with a substratum of fresh- 

 looking coral rock. The bay is becoming choked with coral, 

 and between living reef and shore are broad belts of slimy 

 mud, a little lower than some of the coral heads beyond, where 

 the reef, having reached low-water level, has stopped in its 

 growth and died. Meanwhile it is extending outward on its 

 own talus, and at the same time debris and sand are cast 

 continually shoreward, and, with the help of smaller coralline 

 growths, fill up the interstices of the shore coral until a solid 

 bank is formed, which, by further aid from the waves of the sea, 

 and from the land and its vegetation, is raised above high water 

 and in time becomes dry land. 



Such action depends on the tides, slope of the sea-bottom, 

 and the relation of one part of the shore to another in regard 

 to contour and position, but particularly on the currents, which in 

 some places would accumulate material and in others remove it. 



The crowns of the palm trees were frequented by flocks of 

 the black and white nutmeg - pigeon {Carpophaga bicolor), an 

 uncommon bird in such a situation. Of those we shot, several 

 lodged in the trees and were fetched down by the natives, who 

 climbed with the ankles joined by a belt or piece of rattan, and 

 who, when lifting the feet, did not clasp the trunk with the arms 

 as we should, but placing one round it, pressed against it with 

 the other hand. 



We found two Shorn Pen youths in the village, who seemed 

 to be in a state of easy servitude, and were used for such work 

 as carrying nuts or fetching water. 



There were between twenty and thirty men and boys 

 dwelling here, and the skipper (with whom the people were 



