E. T. Doane on the Atoll of Ebon. 319 
and Mille or the Mulgrave Islands. Of the mere bank-reefs, we 
may mention Avi or Hunter's and Lab or Princess Island, And 
we would here BOATS, perhaps no group of the Pacifie presents 
amore tangled mass in the nomenclature of its islands, than does 
the Marshall ida eres especially the Ralik range. Some of 
the terms we have given above may perplex the reader as he 
attempts to trace them out on ordinary charts. 
The Marshall Islands are divided by a deep sea about one 
hundred and fifty miles wide—into two chains—the Kastern or 
Radak, ra the western or Rakk, Their general Deanne is 
N.W and S.E. The Eastern chain esses thirteen atolls and 
the western sixteen. The general features of these atolls are 
similar to those of most coral islands. They are low—the 
_ reef-rock in none probably measuring more than ten or twelve 
inches in elevation. In form, however, there is much diversity. 
Mille or Mulgrave island is spel a parallelogram—AMajuro or 
Arrowsmith is oval; Hbon circular—while Jaluwith or Bonham’s 
Island and Arlinglab- lab or Elmore Islands, and many others, 
are without any definite forms. 
he atolls vary in fertility. Those south of 8° north latitude 
possess, from all native accounts, the most fertile islets and the 
most available soil. Their fertility may be accounted for from 
the fact, that more rain falls upon them. T ey are more affected 
by the ‘equatorial belt of “ nour precipitation” which is soe 
oscillating backwards and forwards over them, Dead |] 
ge wood rapidly | decay. 
true. The windward dae of Meguro is tp only of sma 
islets, while the leeward side is one continuous strip of land, 
twenty- axe miles long. Jaluith is much like this; perhaps, how- 
r, it not so continuous a piece of land on the lee wae 
side though there is here the most fertile soil. On 
is likewise true. 
An explanation of this fact may ‘perhaps be found, i in the 
strong winds—the ‘“‘ N.E. trades” sweeping with all their force 
fos one half the year over these ese strong winds and 
e heavy sea they raise, tend to sweep off the material which 
aon accumulate there; and bearing some portion on across 
the lagoon to the leowaed side is there lodged, and help forward 
most rapidly the accumulation of the “ beach form: 
The fact has been stated, that the northern atolls of f the Mar- 
Am. Jour. Sc1.—Seconp Series, Vou. XXXI, No. 93.—May, 1 
42 
