200 CORALS AND CORAL ISLANDS. 



patches. Southwest reef mostly bare. A lagoon, but without 

 entrance except for canoes at high tide, on leeward side. Isl- 

 and ten feet high. Shore platform narrow, and intersected 

 by channels. Shores lined by reef-rock, two or three feet out 

 of water, indicating an elevation of the island. This reef-rock 

 consists of various corals firmlv cemented. Within the lagoon, 

 knolls of coral, but none near the shore on the leeward side. 



Fakaafo or BowditcJi '<?.— 9° 20' S., 171° 5' W. 6| miles 

 by 4. Shape nearly triangular. Circuit seventeen miles, 

 about six of which are wooded in several patches, separated by 

 long bare intervals. A large lagoon, but no ship entrance. 

 Height of island, fifteen feet. Width to the lagoon, one hun- 

 dred to two hundred yards. Soil of the island coral sand, 

 speckled black with results of vegetable decomposition. Shore 

 platform narrow. At ou'er edge a depth of three fathoms, 

 and from thence gradually deepens, and abounds in corals 

 for fifty yards, when it deepens abruptly. Coral reef-rock ele- 

 vated three or four feet, indicating an elevation of the isl- 

 and. Lagoon shallow, with some growing coral, but none 

 near the shore. Some corals growing on the platform, near 

 its margin, mostly small Madrepores, AstraBas, Nullipores. 

 Fragments of pumice were found among the natives ; which 

 had floated to the island. 



A7iii, or Peacock's Island, Paumotu Archipelago. — 14° 

 30' S., 146° 20' W. 13 miles by 6, trending N. E. by E. 

 Shape irregularly oblong. A large lagoon, having an entrance 

 for small vessels on the west. Reef wooded throughout nearly 

 its whole circuit. Lagoon shallow, and much obstructed by 

 growing coral, the latter giving the water over it a clear light 

 green color. Platform, or outer coral shelf of the island, 

 about two hundred and fifty feet wide ; under water except at 

 the lowest tides. Margin highest, and covered with Nulli 



