272 CORAL AND ATOLLS 



charts, I would expect that some of the atolls in the Laccadive 

 Archipelago were the outcome of this method of building. 



Fia. 64. 



Diagram to illustrate the Development op 

 Keeling Atoll. 



Stage I, in which two crescentic islands are raised upon the 

 windward side of a horse-shoe-shaped barrier flat. 



The Chetlet and Kiltan atolls strongly suggest this process, 

 and Mr. Stanley Gardiner says " practically all land lies on the 

 eastern or leeward side of the reefs, the group being com- 

 pletely exposed to the gales of the south-west monsoon, while 

 it must be largely protected by India from those of the north- 

 east." 



