334 



ALBATROSS" TROPICAL PACIFIC EXPEDITION. 



to Cape Vauvilliers (PI. 229), with a series of peaks varying between 

 1500 and 2100 feet, and deep valleys running south and north from the 

 rid ire. A spur extends from the eastern end of this ridge towards the south 

 to Cape Tupinier, from which valleys run east, west, and south. Kusaie is 

 flanked by an extensive reef platform forming either a fringing reef or 

 a barrier reef with deep reef harbors, like Coquille, Chabrol, and Lottin 

 (PL 229). Chabrol Harbor is a deep valley between two chains of volcanic 

 rocks ; on its sea face a platform has been worn away to the north of 

 the entrance to the harbor, forming a comparatively narrow reef flat 

 covered with low vegetation, with a similar reef flat off the east face of 

 the chain forming the southern point of the entrance to Chabrol Harbor. 

 Owing to the heavy sea running across the entrance, we did not enter the 

 harbor ; turning south we skirted the outer reef platform ; it increases in 



width towards the south and is cov- 

 ered with low islands and islets. 



The greater part of the base of the 

 shore slope of Kusaie is fringed by 

 a belt of mangrove islands ; between 

 Port Lottin and Cape Tupinier it 

 forms a most intricate system of lanes 

 and bars (Pis. 184, fig. 2 ; 185, fig. 3 ; 

 186, 229). Between these points 

 there is an outer line of mangrove 

 islands and islets (Pis. 184; 185, figs. 

 1, 2), with a passage of considerable 

 width and depth (PI. 186), connecting 

 with the eastern part of Port Lottin 

 and the barrier reef of the lagoon, which extends from Port Lottin to about 

 one and one-half miles south of Point Duperrey (PI. 229), affording thus, 

 with the passage in the lagoon to the west of Port Lottin, an almost con- 

 tinuous boat track around Kusaie with the exception of the short stretches 

 where the reef flat becomes a fringing reef. Between Port Lottin and 

 Cape Vauvilliers the lagoon is broader and wider than on the east or north 

 face The mangrove belt on the outer edge of the reef flat is formed by a 





9^i^| 



Port Lottin and Adjoining JLvngrove 

 Islands. 



