EXTENT OF REEFS. 21 



the coral reefs. We had now run 80 miles N. and 

 S. along the eastern edge of this hed of reefs, and 

 90 miles right through them in a W.S. W. direction. 

 How far they were continuous to the north, we can- 

 not say ; but omitting any minor breaks or irregu- 

 larities, they stretch along the coast of Australia, 

 across Torres Strait, nearly to the coast of New 

 Guinea, a distance of 1000 miles. 



