CHAPTER XVI 



DESCRIPTION OF THE GEOLOGICAL AND GENERAL PHYSICAL 

 FEATURES {continued^) 



the north-east portion of the island 



The Wainikoro and Kalikoso Plains 



These extensive inland plains occupy a considerable area in this 

 part of the island. I estimate that there is an area of about 20 

 square miles that does not exceed an elevation of lOO feet above 

 the sea and is often much less. Of the two villages situated in the 

 midst^of these plains, about 5 miles inland, Kalikoso is about 30 

 feet and Wainikoro is scarcely 20 feet above the sea ; whilst much 

 of the surrounding district is similarly low. Taking the 3C)0-feet 

 contour-line as a guide, this low-lying region, as shown in the map, 

 would be much larger. The plains are backed on the south by the 

 high mountain-range of Vungalei and Nailotha. On the north the 

 coast-ranges, which attain a height of 1,100 or 1,200 feet, separate 

 them from the sea-border ; whilst on the west they are shut off 

 from the Mbuthai-sau valley by a line of hills, of which the minimum 

 elevation is about 700 feet This region is occupied by the scanty 

 open vegetation characteristic of the " talasinga " or " sun-burnt " 

 districts. The tall " Ngasau " reed is common ; the Pandanus trees 

 are frequent ; and amongst the bushes and small trees are re- 

 presented " Dodonaea viscosa," " Morinda citrifolia," and a species 

 of "Hibbertia." 



Different rivers and streams, rising in the mountains on the 

 south side of the plains, traverse this area ; and after breaking 

 through the coast-ranges reach the sea. They acquire an ex- 

 aggerated size from the circumstance that they are in great part 

 tidal estuaries. The tide ascends them for several miles reaching 



