140 K. G. Andrews — Coral Raefs in the Fiji Islands. 



through an angle of from 10 to 20 degrees to the horizontal. 

 The relation between the ash beds, the limestones and the 

 volcanic rocks was not ascertained, although, judged by 

 analogy with other similar exposures in Fiji, the volcanic 

 rocks formed a base, while the bedded limestones and soap- 

 stones belong to one period of deposition. The younger ter- 

 raced limestones were formed later, and elevated again at a 

 later period, with pauses. The great dissection of these lime- 

 stones was the work of streams. 



This interpretation may be considered as open to question. 

 Thus it may be considered that the limestone and volcanic-ash 

 beds forming the basement of the raised 'reef-limestones' 

 represent merely one stage in the formation of the reefs, 

 namely, an out wash of the eroded basal volcanic rock and a 

 simultaneous deposition elsewhere of calcareous organisms in 

 the layers, while the 'reef-limestone' was being deposited in 

 the clearer water offshore. In this connection, however, it 

 may be pointed out, firstly, that the 'coral-reef limestones' 

 overlie both the bedded limestones and volcanic ash, and, in 

 the second place, the great thickness of the uniformly-dipping, 

 and well-bedded, underlying limestone series suggests the 

 formation of the same during a period of submergence prior 

 to the formation of the superposed, and horizontal, ' coral-reef 

 limestones '. In Yiti Levu also beds of Fiji soapstone (volcanic 

 ash) and coral-reef limestone alternate with each other. 



Vdtu Vara, or Hat Island, is a mass of raised 'reef-lime- 

 stone', 1,030 feet in height. No sign of rock other than lime- 

 stone was observed. The lower 100 feet represent the brim, 

 while the upper portion is almost perpendicular, and suggests 

 the crown of a hat. Three horizontal lines of marine erosion 

 occur within 50 feet above sea level. 



Vdtu Leile. — This is a small island which comprises a steep 

 narrow portion composed entirely of a dense and hard 'reef- 

 limestone' rising to a height of 110 feet above sea level, end- 

 ing in a vertical cliff on one side and overlooking a wide and 

 low limestone flat on the other, and a flat on which traces of 

 volcanic rock are to be seen outcropping. On the vertical cliff 

 face several distinct lines of marine erosion, disposed horizon- 

 tally, may be seen, one above the other within a height of 50 feet 

 above sea level. The higher lines have been almost obliterated 

 through infilling by stalactitic growths of limestone, but the 

 lowest line is still a well-marked feature. At one place, at 

 least, it appears to form the landward limit of a raised ' coral- 

 reef limestone ' platform covered with corals of fresh appear- 

 ance. A barrier reef encircles the island, which does not 

 a pear to rise above high water mark. 



