m THE HOT SPRINGS 37 



tide-marks, usually rising through the reef-flat. At times even they 

 are to be observed below the low tide level ; and one can scarcely 

 doubt that there are a large number of undiscovered springs that 

 are never exposed at the lowest tides. It is also very likely that 

 a number of hot springs issuing between the tide-marks are still to 

 be discovered without much difficulty. 



The same may be said of inland hot springs. Looking at the 

 insignificant character of many of them and noting their occurrence 

 in places where they might easily be overlooked, it is highly prob- 

 able, as before remarked, that a number of springs exist inland, 

 which, though once known to the natives, are now forgotten. The 

 interior of the island is very sparsely inhabited now ; but there is 

 evidence of a much more populous condition in old times. The 

 present natives are fast losing the knowledge of the interior of the 

 island which their forefathers possessed ; and many tracts in the 

 mountain districts are far removed from existing paths. From the 

 haphazard manner in which I lighted upon thermal springs beside 

 the head-waters of the Ndreketi, Wailevu, and Wai-ni-koro rivers, 

 I cannot doubt that many more exist in similar localities not 

 visited by me. 



With regard to the distribution of the springs as respecting 

 temperature, I cannot find any marked arrangement either in their 

 grouping or in the amount of elevation. It is noticeable, however, that 

 the three systems of hottest springs, that of Savu-savu (210°), that 

 of Na Kama on the Wailevu river (204°), and that of Tambia (180°) 

 are all less than 100 feet above the sea. Although the springs of 

 highest temperature are confined generally, with the exception of 

 those of Savu-savu, to the main mass of the island, it would seem 

 that adjacent systems of springs may differ much in temperature. 

 The springs of Vunimoli, for instance, have a maximum tem- 

 perature of 155°, which is nearly 50° lower than that of Na Kama, 

 three miles to the westward. Hot springs are more numerous in 

 the region around Lambasa than in most other districts. Lastly, 

 I may add that earthquakes are apparently more frequent in the 

 Mbua district, where no thermal springs are known, than in any 

 other part of the island. 



With regard to the deposits formed around the springs, it may 

 be observed that the circumstances are not usually suitable for their 

 formation, as for instance when they rise through the reef-flat or in 

 swampy localities. In those springs, however, where the tem- 

 perature is over 150° F., and where the water spreads over a surface 

 so as to facilitate evaporation, deposits of white sinter associated 



