PONAPI. 345 



separating them have gradually been eroded, and nothing is left to 

 indicate that they formerly extended almost to the very outer edge of 

 the barrier reef flat. West of Mutok Harbor along the southern face 

 of the barrier reef flat of Ponapi are a number of deep gaps cutting 

 into the outer edge of the barrier reef flat, forming- either reef harbors 

 or entrances into the barrier reef lagoon. The gaps are connected by 

 pools and a labyrinth of lanes formed around the coral shoals which 

 occupy so great a part of the barrier reef lagoon flat of the southern 

 face of Ponapi. The reef harbors of Ponapi, as well as those of Kusaie, 

 are deep and narrow ; they are usually in the extension of the numerous 

 water courses which run down the slopes of these islands in all directions, 

 as at Kiti, Metalanim, Port Lod and Jamestown (Jekoits). 



Cocoanut trees grow on the sandy islands of the outer edge of the 

 barrier reef (Pis. 189, figs. 1, 2 ; 190, fig. 3) ; the outer islands when 

 flanked by shingle are usually bare. It is only when we strike the 

 base of the main volcanic slopes of Ponapi that we come upon the 

 magnificent vegetation already characteristic of the Marshalls to the east, 

 and especially developed in the Carolines and as we go westward. 



We followed the south shore of Ponapi as far as Kiti Harbor, where 

 we anchored much in the same position taken by the " Coquille," nearly 

 seventy years ago. Near Kiti Harbor the mangrove islets extend out 

 much farther from the coast than they are marked on the chart. The 

 chart is very definite as regards the position and extent of the islands 

 existing at the mouth of Kiti Harbor. Their present dimensions indicate 

 a considerable change, as natives informed us that the outer islands have 

 been greatly modified within the last seven years (PI. 190, fig. 3); they 

 certainly do not agree \^th the view given by Captain Duperrey in 

 the Atlas of the Voyage of the " Coquille." 



A section across Ponapi beginning at the outer reef of Kiti Harbor 

 shows that on the edge of the barrier reef numerous coral boulders 

 have been thrown up ; mangroves grow here and there (PI. 189, fig. 3), 

 especially on the small sand bars or sand islets of the outer reef. The 

 outer slope of the reef is quite abrupt ; the sea face is covered with 

 gigantic masses of Porites, Millepores, Mceandrina, Goniastrea, Madrepores, 



