STRUCTURE OF CORAL ISLANDS. 69 
trees, and partly covered with small shrubs. A high sloping beach 
continuous around. ‘Trends east and west. Did not land. 
Birnie’s. Lat. 3° 35’ 8. Long. 171° 39’ W. ofa mile by 4, 
trending northwest. Nolagoon. A sandy flat about ten feet high, 
except near the north-northeast extremity, where it is about twelve 
feet. To the south-southwest the submerged reef extends out nearly 
a mile, over which the sea breaks. Distinguished no vegetation except 
some low trailing plants. Did not land. 
Swain’s. (Fig. 3, page 53.) Lat. 11° 10'S. Long. 170° 52’ W. 
14 miles by 3; shape nearly rectangular, and trend east and west. 
No lagoon, but the centre a little lower than the sides. Surface 
covered with large trees and shrubbery, among which are many 
cocoanuts; the centre more sparsely wooded. ‘The height fifteen to 
eighteen feet, excepting on the middle of western side, where the 
surface is covered with loose fragments of coral of small size; there 
appears to have been a former entrance to the lagoon at this place. 
Shore reef or platform, one hundred yards in average width, and one 
hundred and fifty yards at the place where we landed. Beach high, 
ten to twelve feet. At lower part of beach, for a height of two to 
three feet, the coral reef-rock was exposed, indicating an elevation of 
the island. For three or four feet above this, layers of the beach 
sandrock were often in view, consisting of coral pebbles firmly 
cemented, and having the usual dip of seven or eight degrees 
seaward; in many places it was concealed by the beach sands and 
pebbles. There was no growing coral on the platform excepting 
some Nullipores. ‘The outer margin of this platform was very 
uneven, and much intersected by channels, though less so than at 
Enderby’s Island.* Great numbers of Birgi, (large Crustacea,) were 
burrowing over the island, some of which were six inches in breadth. 
* The sea was quite heavy when we attempted to land at low tide upon the edge of the 
shore platform. As we pulled towards the reef, an anchor was dropped, as usual, some 
distance out, to hold on and save the boat from being carried by the surges against 
the rocks. After some heavy seas had passed, a partial lull seemed to favour, and the 
boat was pulled in. ‘Taking advantage of the favourable moment, I jumped out, and 
made rapid speed over the reef to escape the breakers which followed. Soon turning 
about, I was surprised to find the boat just behind me, and the crew in the water alongside 
trying to steady her and save her from destruction, The man who held to the anchor 
behind had let go his hold, and the next sea, as it came careering on, had borne the boat 
over the edge of the reef, and far on its surface. With even greater risk, after our ramble 
was completed, we succeeded in launching again and reached the open sea. This was 
one of many similar dangers experienced in these seas. 
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