106 appp:ndix i. 



interest. The thin sheet of the newer breccia covering the partially eroded surface of the breccia sheet in 

 some places on the lagoon side which was noted near the northern end of Funafara, is also present on the 

 same side of this island. 



LUAMOTU. 



The breach between Mafola and Luamotu (Plate 6) is much wider than that between the former and 

 Funafara. At two points this is being eroded to a greater depth than at the other parts, fomiing 

 channels. Corrosion occurs a little before Luamotu is reached and continues for some distance along its 

 ocean side. A decided variation in the width of the outer platform may be observed along this island, 

 otherwise it is in some respects similar in its outer zones to that at Funafara ; though the corrosion zone is 

 wider, and very irregular and rugged. At the Hurricane Bank a peculiar crenulated outline occurs 

 simulating somewhat the " headland and bay " outline in the breccia and at the southern part of Funafara, 

 with the difference that this occurs in the Hurricane Bank above the breccia sheet, while that is in the 

 breccia, sheet itself, .No doubt this is caused by the greater or lesser olistructions to the wave action 

 offered by the breccia,, .but it indicates that the waves are gaining more and more on the island mass, which 

 will in time result in another breach, thus probably creating another tiny islet ; this increase in number of 

 islets through dissection of larger islets, being a prelude to their complete removal. 



The clinker field at this island is often very slightly developed and sometimes scarcely distinguishable from 

 lagoon-formed lUhris, though at other places it is of normal character and even quite rugged. There is quite 

 a noticeable Hurricane Bank or storm bank along parts of the lagoon side of the island, which considering 

 the narrow limits of the lagoon is remarkable. More remarkable, however, is the extended line of almost 

 level straight breccia sheet, forming a cliff, for nearly the whole length of this island, as well as a bare 

 upper surface from which the island material has been removed for some 30 yards wide for a similar 

 length. 



This island is nearly the same distance from the western reef (over which the waters roll in rough 

 weather) as those on either side of it. Its chief difference consists in its direction, which is at right 

 angles to, and so meets, the N.W. monsoons. The waves at high tide leap the western reefs, and 

 are driven through with reduced foi-ce on to the broadside of this island, while they roll somewhat 

 obliquely along those on either side of it. Hence thej^ are not in the latter case so destructive as at the 

 island of Luamotu. At only a very few sjjots does the lagoon side of any of the islands lie at the 

 s;ime angle of dii'oction ; l)Ut at each ])lace erosion is unusually active for the lagoon side. 



MATEIKA. 



The breach between thi^ (IMate 6) and Luamotu is marked by a more advanced stage of erosion 

 than those of the two last. At two places the chaiuiels are being eroded deeper tlian usual, the most 

 northern of these being also much deeper ; it is at its deepest part not much above low water ; this occurs, 

 it should be noted, at the angle of the convexity of outline on the lagoon side caused l)y the difference in 

 direction of the two islands. On the ocean side of Mateika the rugged nature of the corrosion zone of 

 the last island is in parts repeated. One or two Aery large blocks of coral breccia, apparently in »ifv, 

 occiir in this zone. On the outer edge of this platform, and to some extent that of the last island, the 

 \i\mg Lithothumnion zone (O.L.IO) is much higher than usual, forming quite a lake between it and the 

 corrosion zone, with the living Litholharimion zone (O.L.IO) still well elevated above the surface of the 

 water so enclosed. The Hurricane Bank on this island in some parts attains a greater height than at the 

 last island, being 8 feet above high water, Avhile on the lagoon side also it sometimes approaches near to 

 that height. The southern part of the lagoon beach is strewn with breccia and old co.al blocks up to 

 18 inches in diameter, while about midway along it numerous larger blocks of lireccia from the sheet 



