EQUATOEIAL POLYNESIA. 



471 



The various groups continuing the Samoan range south-eastwards also consist 

 either of volcanoes or upheaved coral rocks, with but few atolls. The Cook Islands 

 have several cones 300 or 400 feet high, overtopped by the majestic Raratonga, 

 which attains an elevation of 4,000 feet. Of like formation are the Tubuai or 

 Austral Islands, whose reef -fringed igneous crests continue the line of the Samoan 

 system. 



But the loftiest volcanic mountains in equatorial Polynesia are those of the 



Fig. 206. — Gambier Aechipelago. 



Scale 1 : 200,000, 



I34°55 



to 12 

 Fathoms. 



Depths. 



12 to 500 

 Fathoms. 



500 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



3 Miles. 



Tahiti or Society group. Here Maupiti, rising over 300 feet above an atoll, is 

 followed by the twin-crested Bora-Bora (2,300 feet), Tahaa (1,300 feet), Huahine 

 (1,180 feet), and the isolated Tapamanoa, leading to the superb group of Tahiti 

 proper. Moorea or Eimeo, westernmost of this group, is dominated bj'^ the long 

 extinct Tohivea (4,000 feet), whose decomposed lavas now support a luxuriant 



