THE ATOLL AS A WHOLE 143 



atollon. At tlie time of my visit, in June 1906, they were 

 breeding in tliousands. The southern and eastern shores of 

 the island are steep, and truly marvellous seas crash on the 

 south-eastern extremity of the land. The western and north- 

 western shores of the island are composed of high sandy 

 beaches, and at the north-western extremity — the leeward 

 point — the barrier is deficient. The landing is a very hazar- 

 dous one, and without an island pilot, well used to the locality, 

 it would mean almost certain destruction, for the boat must be 

 taken in over the barrier of the western shore, on the crest of 

 a roller. At times, for very long spells together, no landing 

 may be effected. The history of the changes that have been 

 brought about in this very interesting atollon will have to be 

 further referred to ; but it is well to say here that it shows 

 clearly an origin from at least two separate windward islands, 

 whose old outlet was towards the north and west. The 

 present gap which gives the sea entrance to the lagoon is the 

 remains of the interval between these two islands, and is not 

 the real lagoon inlet, nor comparable with the inlet into the 

 southern Cocos atolL The interest of the atollon lies in the 

 fact that it shows a further stage of development than does 

 the southern group, and it foreshadows the fate of atolls 

 generally. 



