348 
PAUMOTU GROUP. 
coral shelf. On the upper shelf, some large compact coral blocks are 
found. One of these which I measured, was ten by twenty feet. It 
rested upon two small fragments, the remainder having been gra- 
dually worn away by the washing of the sea; seemed, in fact, to 
be a part of that forming the second or upper shelf of coral. The 
wood-cut comprises several that were seen on the coral islands, and 
will give an idea of their shapes. The highest point of the island 
was twelve feet above low water mark. 
COR A I, BLOCKS. 
The fresh water is procured from a large pool, about fifty feet in 
diameter, and of considerable depth ; it is about half a mile from the 
village, to the north, and situated within the line of woods. Water- 
ing is very troublesome and fatiguing when the boats are outside, and 
it is necessary to transport it a long distance, but our leathern 
watering-bags, made it less difficult for us. By entering the lagoon 
through the opening, the boats could approach very near the pool. 
The only difficulty to be found would be in passing into it when the 
tide is setting out. It was reported that there was enough of water 
to supply the squadron. The water was thought by some to be a 
little brackish, but it was found quite potable. 
Many botanical specimens were obtained here, similar to those 
collected on the other islands ; also several birds, a harmless scorpion, 
and lizards, the same as found on the other islands. 
The reefs were covered with Holuthuria and some Biche de mar, 
but none of the valuable kinds, and we also obtained a large number 
of shells. The fish here are said to be poisonous, but the natives, 
we understood, eat some of the kinds, so that it does not apply to the 
whole. The position of the west point of the island was determined 
to be in longitude 145° 39' 46" W., and latitude 15° 26' S. 
Having obtained all the water we could in the afternoon, amounting 
to three hundred and ninety gallons, I directed the course of the 
