THE AFTER-HISTORY OF THE ATOLL 273 



This condition he ascribed to " elevation and subsequent 

 erosion, the latter having completely removed all save traces of 



Fig. 65. 



Diagram to illustrate the Development op 

 Keeling Atoll. 



Stage II., in which sediment is being dropped as banks 



continuing the island extremities, and also as a sand-bank 



opposite the windward inlet. 



the land from the western reefs." Without an actual ex- 

 amination of the atoll, it is easily possible to fall into error, 

 but the process which has, without doubt, caused the characters 

 of Keeling atoll, would also seem to be quite sufficient to 

 explain the form of these Laccadive atolls. 



In larger atolls this process does not happen, for the 

 sediment-carrying current drops its burden before it reaches 



