18 EXPEDITION OF THE “ALBATROSS,” 1899-1900. 
justified in denying that the Paumotus as such are situated in an area of 
subsidence, and that subsidence has been the great factor, as is maintained 
by Darwin and Dana, in the formation of the characteristic atolls of the 
group. 
It may be well to point out also that the Paumotus, like the Marquesas 
on one side and the Society Islands on the other, are situated upon a 
plateau similar to that upon which the last-mentioned groups are placed, 
a plateau rising from an oceanic basin which surrounds them, and which 
has a depth of from 2300 to 2500 fathoms, the plateau itself having a 
depth of 1200 to 1500 fathoms. For the differences which distinguish the 
plateaux of these groups I refer to the accompanying charts. 
During our stay in Papeete’ some time was spent in examining that 
part of the barrier reef of Tahiti which had been surveyed by the “ Chal- 
lenger.’ We found the condition of the outer slope of the reef quite 
different from its description as given in the “Challenger” narrative.’ 
The growing corals were comparatively few in number, and the outer 
slope showed nothing but a mass of dead corals and dead coral bowlders 
beyond sixteen or seventeen fathoms, few living corals being observed 
beyond ten to twelve fathoms. 
We also made an expedition to Point Venus, to determine, if possible, 
the rate of growth of the corals on Dolphin Bank from the marks which 
had been placed on Point Venus by Wilkes, in 1839, and by MM. Le Clerc 
and de Bénazé, of the French navy, in 1869. We found the stones and 
marks as described, but in view of the nature and condition of Dolphin 
Bank, did not think it worth while to make a careful survey, as Captain 
Moser had intended to do. On examining Dolphin Bank in the steam 
launch I was greatly surprised to find that there were but few corals 
growing on it. I could see nothing but sparsely scattered heads, none 
1 Explorations of the “Albatross” in the Pacific. II. The Paumotus. [Letter No. 2, dated 
Papeete Harbor, Tahiti Island, November 6, 1899, to Hon. George M. Bowers, U. S. Commissioner 
of Fish and Fisheries, Washington, D. C., by Alexander Agassiz.] Am. Jour. Sci., Fourth Series, 
Vol. [X., No. 50, February, 1500. 
2 Voyage of the “Challenger,” Narrative of the Cruise, 2d Part of Vol. Ii, p: 778, 
8 U.S. Exploring Expedition Narrative, Vol. II. 
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