Changes of Level in the Pacific Ocean. 259 



the tufa of these hills. This evidence from Maui, should 

 therefore be received with great hesitation until farther ex- 

 amined. 



Besides the above, there are large masses of coral rock, 

 according to Mr Andrews, along the shores of Maui, from 

 two to twelve feet above high water. From his descriptions, 

 this rock appears to be the reef-rock, like the raised reef of 

 Oahu, and is probably proof of an elevation of at least twelve 

 feet. 



I. Kingsmill or Tar aw an Group. 



Taputeouea or Drummond. — This is the southern island 

 of the group. The reef-rock, near the village of Utiroa, is 

 a foot above low-tide level, and consists of large massive 

 Astreas and Meandrinas. The tide in the Kingsmill seas is 

 seven feet ; and consequently this evidence of a rise might 

 be doubted, as some corals may grow to this height where 

 the tide is so high. But these Astreas and Meandrinas, as 

 far as observed by the writer, are not among the species that 

 may undergo exposure at low tide, except it be to the amount 

 of three or four inches ; and it is probable that an elevation 

 of at least ten or twelve inches has taken place. 



Apia or Charlotte's Island, one of the northernmost of the 

 group, has the reef-rock in some parts raised bodily to a 

 height of six or seven feet above low-water level, evidencing 

 this amount of elevation. This elevated reef was observed 

 for long distances between the several wooded islets ; it re- 

 sembled the south reef of Nairsa in the Paumotu Archi- 

 pelago, in its bare, even top, and bluff worn front. An islet 

 of the atoll, where we landed, was twelve feet high, and the 

 coral-reef rock was five or six feet above middle tide. A 

 wall of this rock, having the same height, extends along the 

 reef from the islet. There was no doubt that it was due to 

 an actual uplifting of the reef to a height of full six feet. 



Nanouki, Kuria, Maiana, and Tarawa, lying between 

 the two islands above mentioned, were seen only from the 

 ship, and nothing decisive bearing on the subject of eleva- 

 tion was observed. On the north-east side of Nanouki there 

 was a hill twenty or thirty feet in height covered with trees ; 

 but we had no means of learning that it was not artificial. 



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