344 "ALBATROSS" TROPICAL PACIFIC EXPEDITION. 



to Metalanim only a single island occurs (PI. 188, fig. 1). To the 

 south of Metalanim, north of Port Lod, an immense tongue of mangrove 

 islands runs out to the very edge of the outer barrier reef flat (PI. 188, 

 fig. 3). We happened to pass this point at moderately high tide, when 

 the barrier reef flat, edged by the breakers, formed an immense shallow 

 bay, indicated by the green water, though a strip or tongue of some- 

 what deeper water runs from the reef flat towards Metalanim Harbor. 

 As we approached I^ort Lod the tongue of mangrove islands gradually 

 recedes from the edge of the barrier reef flat, and approaches the foot 

 of the slope of the island (PI. 188, fig. 4). To the east of Point Nantiaiti 

 extends a shore belt of mangrove islands, similar to that south of Metala- 

 nim and similar to the mangrove shore belt so characteristic of Kusaie. 

 Immediately below Point Nantiaiti are two small volcanic cones (Likintakai 

 Island) ; they show how far the outliers of the ridges and spurs of Ponapi 

 may reach into the main barrier reef flat. This outlier also indicates 

 the amount of denudation which has taken place from the southeast 

 point of Ponapi in a westerly direction, and formed the immense barrier 

 reef platforms so characteristic of Ponapi and of Kusaie. On the outer 

 edge o£ this reef platform, to the south of Mutok Island, but few low 

 islands exist (PI. 190, fig. 1); they are either patches of volcanic rock, 

 disintegrated and covered by low vegetation, or negro-heads ; these may 

 be fragments of a volcanic mass, or a patch of coral rocks thrown up 

 on the outer edge of the barrier reef lagoon. To the west and east of 

 Mutok Island the shore of Ponapi is flanked by a narrow fringe of 

 mangrove islets running round the base of the slopes of the ridges 

 and spurs (Pis. 189, fig. 4; 230). 



Immediately to the east of Mutok Island a deep indentation (Port 

 Mutok) is formed in the outer edge of the barrier reef, opening into a 

 deep channel running across the reef flat, and leading into a bay 

 immediately behind Mutok Island. On the southern barrier reef flats, 

 between Mutok and Kiti Harbor, numerous bars of beach rock have 

 been thrown up, separated by bands of greenish or bluish water, accord- 

 ing to its depth ; the bands of deeper water probably indicate the southern 

 extension of the valleys on this face of Ponapi. The spurs and ridges 



