146 CORAL AND ATOLLS 



captains, who have very kindly placed the material at my 

 disposal. 



When we come to look at the published sections of this 

 atoll, the thing that is most obvious is the extraordinary 

 abruptness with which the reef land falls to great depths ; 

 indeed it was thought that the landing of a cable in such a 

 place would be futile, for the idea is natural that it would 

 cross the edge of the reef abruptly, and hang into space for 

 perhaps a mile or more before it found any support on the 

 ocean bottom. To any one liviag on the atoll, this notion 

 very easily comes — that the side of the reef is sheer, and falls 

 to ocean depths with practically no break in its descent. I 

 know for certain that most, of those who come to the islands, 

 for a stay that averages a year, go away with the impression 

 that the barrier edge is the edge of a precipice of untold 

 depth ; — and it certainly looks like it. 



When standing far out on the seaward edge of the barrier 

 reef an appearance is presented as though the great masses of 

 Pontes, which show beneath the waves, are the extreme edge of 

 the land, and beyond them is the dark blue water, which, in 

 this ocean, tells of great depths. It seems as though at the 

 surf-line there was a real edge on which waves broke, and 

 which was the top of a cliff on which the atoll stood. From 

 any inconsiderable height that an island affords this appearance 

 may be seen to be unreal, and only apparent to the observer 

 when he stands at the barrier level. From any greater height, 

 the more gradual descent of the boulders can be seen beyond 

 the breakers ; and if a boat be sailed outside the atoll ring, 

 any one may see the coral-clad hillside upon the crest of which 

 the atoll stands. 



The barrier reef, which in its submerged portions consists 

 of living corals in large masses, is, for the most part, of light, 

 and often brilliant tints ; yellow patches of coral and white 

 sand alternating with the darker colour of deeper holes, and 

 making a conspicuous bottom in the clear water of a few 

 fathoms depth. In from six to ten fathoms the rocks are plainly 

 seen, but beyond that depth the overlying waters become 



