The Fiji Islands and Coral Reefs. By ALEXANDER AGASSIZ. 
INTRODUCTION. 
On our arrival in Suva the first day of November, 1897, we found the 
*“ Yaralla,” a twin screw steamer of about five hundred tons, chartered 
from the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company, awaiting us. 
The boat proved admirably suited for our purpose, the managing agent 
of the company at Brisbane, Mr. Elliot Bland, aud Captain Downs, of 
Sydney, having spared no pains in fitting her out. 
Previous to our departure I shipped to Australia our outfit for 
dredging, sounding, and deep-sea towing, as well as all the materials 
necessary for preserving our collections. This equipment we found 
safely stored in the “ Yaralla.” Dr. W. McM. Woodworth and Dr. A. G. 
Mayer accompanied me as assistants. Dr. Woodworth and my son 
Maximilian have taken a large number of photographs illustrating the 
physiognomy of the islands and reefs. Dr. Woodworth devoted his 
time in part to the care of the Worms, and Dr. Mayer to the Acalephs 
of Fiji. 
I have to thank the State Department at Washington for their kind 
offices in obtaining for me letters from the British Foreign Office to 
the Government of Fiji. Sir George O’Brien, the High Commissioner 
of the Western Pacific, gave us all possible facilities for visiting the 
different islands of the group. I am also indebted to the Hon. J. 
Stewart, Colonial Secretary, and to the Hon. W. L. Allardyce, Assistant 
Native Commissioner, for assistance and advice. To Dr. Corney and 
the Hon. John Berry I owe information of value regarding the existence 
of elevated reefs at points I have not examined. To Captain Calder, the 
agent of the Australasian United Steam Navigation Company at Fiji, I 
am greatly indebted for his exertions on our behalf. Finally, Captain 
R. Cocks, our pilot, and Captain Thomson, as well as the officers and 
crew of the “ Yaralla,” were indefatigable in promoting our inter- 
ests. I have also to thank specially Sir William C. Van Horne and 
Mr. T. G. Shaughnessy, the President and Vice President of the Cana- 
dian Pacific Railway, for placing at our disposal a private car from 
