P. A. Paly — Problems of the Pacific Islands. 171 



the flatness of the lagoon floor and the absence of any trace of 

 the " moat." 



Figures 5 to 10 are similar sections of other atolls in the 

 Maldive group. Charts and sections of the Pacific atolls have 

 the same general features. 



The relative flatness of the lagoon floors, their failure to 

 show depths greater than about 300 feet, and their rough 

 accordance of depth in the Pacific and Indian oceans are 



Figs. 5-10. 



_J Sea Miles 



J9Km. 



Figs. 5-10. Sections of Maldive atolls, illustrating the flatness and shal- 

 lowness of lagoon floors, their accordance in depth with rimless platforms, 

 the steepness of the slopes flanking both main reefs and knolls, and topo- 

 graphic unconformity between reefs and platforms. Uniform scales ; ver- 

 tical scale four times the horizontal. Water shown in solid black ; rocks, 

 including reefs, are lined. 



5. Tiladummati atoll, through Nekurandu island. 



6. Miladummadulu atoll, through Dureadu island. 



7. Miladummadulu atoll, through Maswataru island. 



8. Ari atoll, sectioned south of Weli island. 



9. Longitudinal section, following the main reef of North Malosmadulu 

 atoll, between Duwafuri and Wadu. 



10. South Male atoll, sectioned north of Mafuri. 



among the most significant topographic facts concerning the 

 important atolls and barriers. The existing barrier and atoll 

 reefs are really narrow, wall-like structures, from 200 to 300 

 feet in height. They stand on platforms varying from one or 

 two miles to one hundred miles in width. Each reef is like a 



