168 PBOF. W. 3. DAKIN : EXPEDITION TO THE 



Corals were growing actively on the outer edge, and there is evidence 

 that the reef is extending seawards although but slowly. There are signs 

 that the islands of the outer rim on the eastern side of the Easter Group are 

 becoming joined up. There was certainly a deep channel at one time 

 between Wooded Island and the one immediately north of it. At least 

 I judge so from certain peculiar holes and channels amidst the reefs in the 

 lagoon at this point. Now, one can walk across even at high tide, although 

 if a strong wind blew from the east it might be difficult. We shall see 

 later that in the Pelsart Group, which seems to represent a stage to which 

 the Easter Group is leading, there are very few channels indeed and a single 

 long island forms the eastern rim. 



The lagoon reef-flat differed in character from that of the seaward side. 

 In some places it was covered and hidden by sand or mud. In other places 

 it was eroded in such a way as to be honeycombed everywhere, leaving but 

 rotten coral, so that one had to be prepared when walking for at least one's 

 foot going through. This was the case along the lagoon side of Wooded Island. 

 Usually the reef-flat ended with an abrupt drop to the depth of the lagoon, 

 instead of the slope to the sea-bottom which is seen on the outside. In some 

 places, as a matter of fact, it overhangs. There were luxuriant coral growths 

 along the lagoon edge of the reef-flat on the shore of Wooded Island, the more 

 massive corals being present as well as several species of Madrepore, 

 Pocillopora, and Montipora, but I do not think the reef-fiat is extending 

 lagoon wards at this point. Coral growths occur on the floor of the lagoon 

 between Wooded Island and Rat Island, although not, very luxuriant, and 

 often nothing but dead fragments come up in the dredge. North of this latter 

 region, i.e. between the islets immediately north of Wooded Island and Rat 

 Island, the bottom of the lagoon consists of fine impalpable coral-mud, and 

 dredge hauls were exceedingly barren. Further north still, between Rat 

 Island and the island immediately south of Easter passage, luxuriant growths 

 of coral occur once more, and in many places submerged reefs rise sufficiently 

 high to be a menace to boats drawing 8 feet of water. One of these reefs, 

 situated just to the left after entering the lagoon by the Easter passage, was 

 rather interesting, and some notes may not be out of place here. 



The reef in question rises up to the surface so that it is exposed at low 

 tide. It is ring-shaped in form, with a broad opening on one side — that 

 directed N.E. towards the nearest island of the outer rim. The sketch given 

 in the text (fig. 12) indicates roughly the form of the reef, its dimensions, 

 and the depths of water about it. 



The bottom of the small enclosed lagoon is about 30 feet deep, and living 

 coral abounds. It is also to be found on the floor of the entrance, and along 

 the outer margins of the reef. It would appear that this structure resembles 

 the "faros" of the Maldive Islands. It has developed by active coral 

 growth from the floor of the lagoon, and it has taken up its present form as 



