278 



AUSTEALASIA. 



with timber, whence its Spanish name of PaJos, afterwards changed to Palaos, and 

 by English mariners corrupted to Peleic. 



Although very poor in animal forms, the Pelews have nevertheless some types 

 not elsewhere found, such as the psamathia, a species of bird, and a grey rat. 



Fig. 122. — Pelew Iîslands. 

 Scale 1 : 900,000. 



^ 



Reefs exposed 

 at low water. 



Depths. 



Oto80 

 Feet. 



Î0 Feet and 

 upwai ds. 



18 Miles. 



Both the crocodile and the dugong, formerly numerous on the coast, have become 

 extremely rare, if they have not already disappeared altogether. The first 

 vertebra of the dugong is considered the most precious object that a chief can 

 bestow on a subject, being a distinctive mark of an order of nobility. When a 

 happy mortal is judged worthy of this honour, his fingers are bound tightly 



