434 Report on the Island of Chedooba, [No. 114. 



opportunity of notice was afforded by the existence of rocks or islets 

 above water, and its general direction is from N. W. b. N. to S. E, b. S. 

 The elevation has been greatest towards the centre of the line examined; 

 at the Terribles about 13 feet, on various parts of the N. W. reef of Che- 

 dooba 22 feet, at the north point of the Island 16 feet, at the centre of 

 the Island on the west coast 13 feet, at the southern end 12, and at the 

 Islands south of it, as far as Foul Island from that to 9 feet. 



It would also seem to have been greater on the western limit of Chedooba, 

 than on the eastern, a fact not however ascertained from the extensive 

 level plains which exist on this side, whereas on that, measurement was 

 easily made on the sides of perpendicular rocks. This elevation occurre( 

 about 90 years ago, and there is, now living, a party 106 years old, wh( 

 was then 15 years of age, and had been accustomed to fish over a portion 

 of the now upraised land. On the coasts of Chedooba, its traces are in 

 most parts as clear as could be wished, bounding the natural jungle with 

 a bank of greater or less height, composed of sand or of shingle — the 

 plain beyond being thickly strewed with coral and shells, such as are 

 now growing on the shore. The natives are all perfectly aware of the 

 bank having formerly been the limit of their Island, and even the young- 

 est would point it out, if asked to do so. 



The old man above mentioned was not in Chedooba, but at Ava, when 

 the event happened, he had gone thither that year, and experienced at 

 that place the violent earthquake which accompanied the elevation. From 

 other natives of great age, I received information of the occurrence, not 

 direct, but traditionally from their parents. 



The earthquake was very violent, the sea washed to and for several 

 times with great fury, and then retired from the grounds, leaving an im- 

 mense quantity of fish ; the feasting on which is a favorite story through- 

 out the Island ; no lives were lost, no rents in the earth occurred, nor 

 fire from the volcanoes of the Island. 



The above is not the only event of the sort traditionally known, another 

 occurred a century previous to it, and these elevations are considered 

 periodical by the inhabitants, occurring every 100 years, and the next one 

 is even expected in the course of a few years, and would excite but little 

 surprize. Traces of a third beach line were several times thought to be 

 found, before this information was given ; but on the western coast, about 

 half way down, an evidence of its truth was afforded ; a remarkable 

 column or rock, about 40 feet high, standing on the beach shewed the re- 

 mains of a second line of rock. Oysters adhering to it, at an equal ele- 

 vation of 13 feet above the first, as it was again, above the one, which on 



