THE MARQUESAS. 3 



(PL 200). The northern cluster consists of three small islands, two of 

 which are volcanic, and the others (Coral Islands^) are reported to be 

 two small coral islands on a shoal. According to the statement of the 

 ilatives, this is the only point in the Marquesas where corals grow in 

 abundance, as elsewhere in the Marquesas corals are limited to a narrow 

 fringe or patches of fringing reefs on the shores of the bays which 

 indent the i.slands of the group. In from two to three fathoms in Ta'i-o-hae 

 Baj' coral patches form an irregular fringing reef, composed of a few 

 species of coral. They have but little influence on the character of the 

 beach sand thrown u]^ at the head of the bay, the greater part of which 

 is volcanic silt washed down from the hillside mixed with a little coral 

 sand. 



The central group, which w-e visited, consists of the islands of Nuku- 

 hiva, Ua Iluka, and Ua pu. These as well as all the other islands of 

 the group, with the exception of the Coral Islands, are volcanic and rise 

 to a considerable height, the highest point of Nukuhiva being over 3800 

 feet, of Ua pu over 4000, and of Hiva Oa, the largest island of the 

 southern cluster, more than 3000. 



Nukuhiva is about 14 miles in length and about 10 broad; while 

 its shores are very steep on the northeastern and southern faces, with 

 numerous waterfalls dropping nearly vertically into the sea from 2000 

 feet, the western slope is comparatively gentle. The slope off the south 

 coast of Nukuhiva is steep ; within less than a mile there are depths of 

 from 45 to 60 fathoms over, a fine volcanic sand bottom. 



What is very striking at the Marquesas is the absence of coral reefs. 

 Here is a group of volcanic islands situated in latitude 9° south, and 

 in the region of the southeast trades, under the most favorable conditions 

 of temperature of the sea (80°), yet there are nowhere in the group the 

 great barrier and fringing reefs so common in the Society Islands, the Fiji, 

 and other volcanic island groups in the Pacific. Coral reefs exist in the 

 Marquesas only as patches scattered here and there in protected bays. 

 They are indicated on the Admiralty charts at Vaeio Bay, at Hakahe 



* We did not %'isit the Coral Islands, as, according to the sailing directions, they are exposed 

 to heavy seas, making landing difficult. 



