HI THE HOT SPRINGS 37 



tide-marks, usually rising through the reef-flat. At times even they 

 i.re to be observed below the low tide level ; and one can scarcely 

 (!oubt that there are a large number of undiscovered springs that 

 ere never exposed at the lowest tides. It is also very likely that 

 a number of hot springs issuing between the tide-marks are still to 

 be discovered without much difficulty. 



The same may be said of inland hot springs. Looking at the 

 iisignificant character of many of them and noting their occurrence 

 iii places where they might easily be overlooked, it is highly prob- 

 able, as before remarked, that a number of springs exist inland, 

 V hich, though once known to the natives, are now forgotten. The 

 interior of the island is very sparsely inhabited now; but there is 

 e /idence of a much more populous condition in old times. The 

 p'esent natives are fast losing the knowledge of the interior of the 

 island which their forefathers possessed ; and many tracts in the 

 n ountain districts are far removed from existing paths. From the 

 h iphazard manner in which I lighted upon thermal springs beside 

 tl e head-waters of the Ndreketi, Wailevu, and Wai-ni-koro rivers, 

 I cannot doubt that many more exist in similar localities not 

 visited by me. 



With regard to the distribution of the springs as respecting 

 t€ mperature, I cannot find any marked arrangement either in their 

 gi ouping or in the amount of elevation. It is noticeable, however, that 

 the three systems of hottest springs, that of Savu-savu (210°), that 

 of Na Kama on the Wailevu river (204°), and that of Tambia (180°) 

 are all less than 100 feet above the sea. Although the springs of 

 hi ^hest temperature are confined generally, with the exception of 

 th Dse of Savu-savu, to the main mass of the island, it would seem 

 th it adjacent systems of springs may differ much in temperature. 

 T-\e springs of Vunimoli, for instance, have a maximum tem- 

 perature of 155°, which is nearly 50° lower than that of Na Kama, 

 th ee miles to the westward. Hot springs are more numerous in 

 th ; region around Lambasa than in most other districts. Lastly, 

 I 1 aay add that earthquakes are apparently more frequent in the 

 M )ua district, where no thermal springs are known, than in any 

 ot] ler part of the island. 



With regard to the deposits formed around the springs, it may 

 be observed that the circumstances are not usually suitable for their 

 foi nation, as for instance when they rise through the reef-flat or in 

 sw impy localities. In those springs, however, where the tem- 

 pe ature is over 1 50° F., and where the water spreads over a surface 

 so is to facilitate evaporation, deposits of white sinter associated 



