BORA BORA. 163 



canic islands, being nearly three quarters of a mile fioin the southern 

 point of Bora Bora (PI. 210, fig. 3). On the west coast of Bora Bora the 

 islands of Tupua, Tupua Iti, indicate the position of the former ridge, 

 which once extended parallel to the main ridge of the island, and through 

 which the entrance to the main harbor of Bora Bora has been eroded (Pis. 

 102; 210, fig. 3). This ridge forms the western face of the main harbor 

 (Pi. 102, fig. 1), and also forms the eastern flank of a spur of the main lagoon 

 which extends around Bora Bora (Pis. 101, fig. 2 ; 102, fig. 1), but which 

 is interrupted between Matira Point and the southern point of Tupua Iti by 

 the wide barrier reef flat which separates it from the sea. The principal 

 island of Bora Bora is distinguished by a remarkable double peak, Pahia 

 and Temanu, nearly 2400 feet above the level of the sea, two of the 

 most remarkable peaks of erosion found in the Society Islands (Pis. 97 ; 

 99, fig. 4 ; 100, 101, 103). Its southern face (PI. 103) rises vertically, and 

 on the northern, side slopes towards the northern ridge of Bora Bora 

 (PI. 97), which is separated from Pahia by a deep valley (Pis. 97, fig. 2 ; 99, 

 fig. 4 ; 103), running across the central island from Anau to Fanui Bays. 

 The eastern face of the cliff is also vertical and forms the northern point 

 of the southern ridge of the eastern face of Bora Bora. 



The peaks are most striking summits, as seen approaching Bora Bora 

 from the east (PI. 97, fig. 1). The sketch which Lesson made from the top 

 of the central peak of Bora Bora, showing the fringe of wooded islands 

 thrown up on the barrier reef flat surrounding it, has often been copied. 



On the sea face of Bora Bora from Motu Tofari to Motu Mute the beach 

 slope is steep, and reaches of beach rock or coral rock crop out everywhere, 

 The.se are separated by coral sand or coral shingle beaches. Wherever we 

 examined the sea face of the barrier reef we found the growing coral edge 

 digitate and deeply scalloped and cut into diminutive boat harbors, as in so 

 many of the Paumotus. Both the main island Bora Bora and Tupua are 

 edged with a narrow fringing reef. 



The vegetation of the barrier reef islands and islets is much more luxu- 

 riant than that of the Paumotu.s. A lino of dark green vegetation stands 

 out above a white sand beach, forming a broad belt of verdure, at a distance 

 from the steep slopes of the central island ; it is especially striking when seen 



