THE COMPLETED ATOLL. 283 



two species of Land plants, and in a few instances the Banana, 

 Taro and Bread-fruit were cultivated. At the elevated coral 

 island, Metia, north of Tahiti (p. 193), 250 feet above the sea, 

 Sugar-cane and Bread-fruit and many plants of the Society 

 group, occur. 



Water is to be found commonly in sufficient quantities for 

 the use of the natives, although the land is so low and flat. 

 They dig wells five to ten feet deep in any part of the dry 

 islets, and generally obtain a constant supply. These wells 

 are sometimes fenced around with special care ; and the 

 houses of the villagers, as at Fakaafo, are often clustered 

 about them. On Aratica (Carlshoff) there is a watering 

 place 50 feet in diameter, from which vessels of the Wilkes 

 Exploring Expedition obtained 390 gallons. The Gilbert 

 Islands are generally provided with a supply sufficient for 

 bathing, and each native takes his morning bath in fresh wa- 

 ter, which is esteemed by them a great luxury. On Tari-tari* 

 (of the Gilbert Group, p. 165), as Mr. Horatio Hale, philolo- 

 gist of the same expedition, was informed by a Scotch sailor 

 by the name of Grey, taken from the island, there is a 

 trench or canal several miles long, and two feet deep. They 

 have taro plantations (which is possible only where there is 

 a large supply of water), and besides some bread-fruit. He 

 spoke of the taro as growing to a very large size, and as being 

 in great abundance ; it was planted along each side of the pond. 

 Grey added further that ten ships of the line might water there, 

 though the place was not reached without some difficulty. 

 There were fish in the pond which had been put in while 

 young. The bottom was adhesive like clay. These islands 

 have been elevated a little, but are not over fifteen feet above* 

 the sea. 



Kotzebue observes, that " in the inner part of Otdia (one 



