EASTERN MICEONESIA. 



289 



times even to large vessels. From the peculiar character of this formation the 

 Ellice group has even been called the " Lagoon Islands," and is habitually so 

 named by the missionaries. Seen from a distance all generally present much the 

 same aspect : below, the white zone of breakers ; above, a fringe of green foliage. 

 In all these low-lying clusters the highest land is an eminence in Pleasant Island, 

 •one of the Gilberts, which is scarceh^ 230 feet high. 



Most of the Marshall and Gilbert atolls are remarkable for their eccentric forms. 



Fig. 127.— Aehno. 

 Scale 1 : 275,000. 



Depths 



to 2.5 



Fathoms. 



25 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



— — 6 Miles. 



Very few are circular, a fact doubtless due to the irregularity of the igneous founda- 

 tions on which the coral-builders have raised their structures. Triangles and 

 trapezes prevail in the Marshalls, where Arhno resembles a bull's head and horns, 

 while others are suggestive of such curious objects as shuttles, stirrups, or harps. 

 Nearly all the atolls have continuous fringing reefs on the east side alone, the 

 west side being traced only by a line of white surf. The reason of the contrast is 

 not difficult to understand. On the west face the slow and sluggish waves roU 



19—0 



