DESCIITPTIOX OF SMALT. ISLANDS OF THF ATOLL. Ill 



from side to side and continues for compcarable distances along each island, the southern end exposing 

 in both cases much the longest stretch of breccia, while the space between these breccia outcrops is 

 similarly occupied by foraminiferal sand and debris which also extends inland to the clinker field, 

 alternating with this near the junction of the two. Large pebbles up to 18 inches in length occur, however, 

 on the lagoon Hurricane Bank resting on the worn breccia sheet, while on the northern end is an abnormal 

 accumulation of foraminiferal sand, chiefly formed of Tinoporus haaihtus, reaching the height, unusual 

 on this atoll for a sand accumulation, of 13 feet above high water, which height it maintained nearly across 

 this narrow end of the island. This is only exceeded in the single instance of the high rub1)le Hurricane 

 Bank occurring at the southern islet of Telele for a short distance. 



Near this end, the older sand bank, where it is being covered by matted roots, is being undermined 

 by wave action, so that a small vertical section, 3 feet 6 inches to 4 feet in height, is formed with the 

 matted roots, holding together 6 to 8 inches of the surface sand and debris and projecting several inches 

 beyond the almost vertical sand cliff. It does not, however, follow that the sand removed in forming 

 this cliff is entirely lost to the island, as probably most of it is drifted back on to the sheltered wide 

 beach again and driven higher and higher, first by water and then by wind, some of it possibly even 

 to the highest ridge, which is well protected oceanwards from general wave action by the rubble 

 Hurricane Bank. 



