DESCRIPTION OF THE EXPEDITION. 3D 
much of the same facies as those we found in the Maldives, but not half so numerous 
in species. Indeed only the strongest of fliers occurred, together with such as might have 
been brought by human agencies. The only land-birds ave the little grey bittern 
(Butorides atricapilia) and sparrows, the latter introduced from Mauritius, but curlews, 
whimbrels, sandpipers, and plovers appear to be regular visitants from a distance, and 
we saw a martin on one occasion. Of sea-birds there are terns, noddies, and gulls, 
and frigate-birds constantly made their appearance. Guinea-fowl were introduced many 
years ago and a few still exist in a wild state on Takamaka, Foquet, and Anglaise. 
The encircling reef of Salomon Atoll * does not materially differ from those of the 
Maldives. It consists of the same parts, but is in no wise hollowed out in the centre. 
Its one peculiar feature lies in the fact that in places its surface close to the lagoon-edge 
is covered by dead masses of coral-rock, almost like the “pinnacles” which are such a 
Fig. 14. 
View along seaward side of ile Mapou, Salomon, showing coral-rock and ile de la Passe. 
marked feature on the seaward sides of so many reefs. Probably, like the latter, they 
point to the previous existence of land; and, if so, the form of the land and reef must 
have been very different in the past. The outer edge of the reef is everywhere 
remarkable in being almost completely covered by Lithothamuia (calcareous algze), 
which in this position are solely responsible for its growth. ‘The lagoon is, of course, of 
the most enclosed type; it is studded with shoals formed entirely of massive coral-heads, 
but otherwise is singularly barren of life (even as compared with Diego Garcia, which 
we subsequently dredged as well). The reef-animals in their general facies had the 
same appearance as those on other similar reefs in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, but it 
* Salomon Atoll with its reefs will be the subject of a special detailed report and examination in connection with 
the formation of the coral-reefs visited by us. 
6* 
