CONTENTS xix 



CHAPTER XXVII 



SOME CONCLUSIONS AND THEIR BEARINGS 



Vanua Levu, a composite island formed during a long period of emergence, 

 372. — The submarine plateau probably produced by basaltic flows, 373. — 

 The distribution of the volcanic rocks, 374. — Comparison with Iceland, 

 374. — The mountain-ridges, 375. — The emergence of the Fiji Islands, 

 376. — Wichmann's view of the early continental condition not supported, 

 375. — Age and character of the emergence, 377. — The evidence of the Lau 

 Group and of the Tongan Islands, 378. — Two principal stages of the 

 emergence, 379. — Relative antiquity of the Hawaiian, Fijian, and Tongan 

 Islands as indicated by their floras, 379. — Islands have always been islands, 

 380. — The hypothesis of a Pacific continent not yet needed, 381. — The 

 great dilemma, 381. — Much remains to be learned of the possibilities of 

 means of dispersal in the past and in the present, 382 . Pages 372 — 382. 



APPENDIX, 

 (i) Note on microscopical examination of stone-axes. 



(2) Note on the ascent of the tide in the Ndreketi River. 



(3) Note on the " talasinga " districts. 



INDEX 38s 



