STRUCTURE OF CORAL ISLANDS. 71 
long and four in diameter. The shore platform was much intersected 
by channels. 
Captain Hudson obtained soundings half a mile off in two hundred 
fathoms; the lead struck upon a sandy bottom but was indented 
by coral. 
Honden, or Henuake, Paumotu Archipelago.—Size 34 miles by 2 
miles. Oblong, five-sided; trending west-northwest. A small shallow 
lagoon, communicating with the sea only at high tide, on the west 
side. There are two other entrances, which are seldom if ever covered 
with water, and appeared merely as dry beds of coral rock. Height 
of the island, twelve feet: lowest on the south side. Belt of verdure 
complete, and consisting of large forest trees, with the Pandanus and 
other species, but no cocoanuts. Breadth } mile, and in some parts 3. 
Among the trees, large masses of coral rock often exposed to view, 
and the surface in many parts very rough. It seemed surprising at 
all these islands to find so luxuriant a growth of trees and shrubbery 
over so rough a region. Shores of the lagoon nearly flat. On one 
side there was a large area of extremely fine coral sand and mud, which 
extended a long distance into the lagoon. Elsewhere, about the centre 
of the island, the reef-rock was bare, and contained numerous shells 
of Tridacne. A few small Madrepores still growing in the lagoon. 
Beach on the sea-shore side eight feet high. In lower part of beach, 
several layers of white limestone, formed of coral fragments or sand, 
shells, &c., much of which was very compact. ‘The layers inclined 
towards the sea at an angle of about five degrees. Shore platform 
as elsewhere in this archipelago.—See figure 2, page 53. 
The facts above stated are evidence of a shght elevation, not ex- 
ceeding two or three feet. 
Taiara, or King’s, Paumotu Archipelago.—15° 42’ S.; 144° 46’ W. 
22 miles by 13, trending northwest. A small lagoon with no entrance. 
Reef almost continuously wooded around, somewhat broken into 
patches.—See figure 1, page 53. 
Maraki, 'Tarawan Group.—5 miles by 2, and having a lagoon. 
Trending north. Shape oblong triangular. Belt of forest complete. 
Appearance of a former entrance to the lagoon on the east side. 
Whytuhu, one of the two Disappointment Islands, Paumotu Archi- 
pelago.—14° 10’ S., 141° 24’ W. 53 by 2 miles, trending northwest. 
The reef fronting northeast almost continuously wooded. On the 
opposite side three islets, one of rather large size. Lagoon with no 
entrance. 
