108 APPENDIX I. 



to a solution area was observable. On the northern half, however, the island is composed almost 

 exclusively of breccia and rubble from it formed into Hurricane Banks ; that on the ocean side rises 

 precipitously to the height of 7 feet above high water, and terminates in a sharp peak-like ridge, while 

 the descent to the centre of the usual position of the clinker field is much more steep than usual. 

 Then, rising to a less height towards the lagoon, this also consists of ruljlile, though of somewhat less 

 size than on the other side of the central depression or solution area, which is discontinuous at this 

 end for about one-third of the island's length. At the northern end the eroded breccia extends for a 

 considerable distance beyond the point of land above high water, diminishing in thickness the greater 

 the distance from the present end of the island till it almost blends with the tidal platform. Near 

 the point of the island, removal of breccia above high water has been comparatively recent and the 

 island has been to that extent shortened; a continuance of this shortening seems imminent, as the 

 breccia is being more and more eroded and removed, while the rubble, i.e., the Hurricane Bank upon it, is 

 being removed slightlj' in advance of the breccia. 



The conspicuous features in the history of this island would appear to be :^ 



1st. The general erosion of the breccia at its S.E. corner, and the strong "l)ay and point" like outline 

 formed by it. 



2nd. The extension of the southern end towards the lagoon. 



3rd. The concave outline of the lagoon side caused by the extension lagoonwards last named, and also 

 the facilities which the outline offers for the reception and retention of sand and shingle accumulations. 



4th. The probable speedy division of the island into two. 



5th. The retreat of the northern end of the island. 



Thus erosion and corrosion are proceeding around the island for about two-thirds of the distance of 

 its outline, and accumulation of sand and shingle for the remaining one-third, some of which is on the 

 .S.E. corner of the island, where sand forms the point and also the greatest part of the beach, but the 

 chief part of the accumulation is on the concave lagoon side. 



The development of this island has l)een similar to those already described, while it appears probable 

 that dissolution of the l)reccia sheet will continue, though more or less slowly in proportion to its 

 distance from the outer edge of the reef, the presence or otherwise of projecting breccia not yet 

 removed, the form of the submarine contour, the angle at which the chief winds and currents cause 

 the waves to strike the island's outline, the strength of the force with which they strike, and similar 

 modifying influences. When this is gone or nearly so, the finer loose material of the island will not long 

 survive strong attacks. 



FUNAMANU. 



Funamanu (Plate 7) is separated from Falcfatuby the Bua-Bua passage, which is 1 mile wide and that most 

 frequented Ijy tiading vessels. It is situated near the southern end of the reef on which further north 

 stands the main island, and here commences the longest stretch of reef, awash at low tide, on this atoll, 

 as it is continuous for over 16 miles. On the long point of reef beyond the end of the island, numerous 

 pieces of breccia and coral rubble are strewn about, while the corroded remains of the breccia sheet cover 

 the tidal platform for many yards before the end of the island is reached. Within a few yards of this 

 stands the large dome-shaped white beacon. This island conforms closely to the shape of the tidal 

 platform upon which it stands, except at its northern end where its point recedes from the outer reef 

 edge considerably. The base of the island resting on the tidal platform consists first of the breccia sheet 

 which can be observed all along the beach on the ocean side, and for some distance at each end of the 

 island on the lagoon side, while it can also be traced along the lagoon beach. There arc in sifii on the 

 southern half of the lagoon platform two large upstanding bosses of the coral Pontes covered by about 

 2 feet of water at high tides, while on its noi'thern portion a small stunted living specimen of Heliopoiv, 



