14 PACIFIC ISLANDS. 
statute miles, and have the general trend N. 64° W. But the range 
of islands does not stop at the last mentioned: it is continued on to 
175° east longitude. ‘This western portion appears to consist of two 
or three parts, each in advance, or a little south, of the preceding, like 
the interrupted series of many fissures. ‘The directions of the parts 
scarcely vary from that above given. Viewing the range as a whole, 
the line is slightly convex northeastward. 
We observe, moreover, that between the Island of Hawaii and 
Oahu, two parallel lines are indicated by the islands intermediate : 
one including the summits Maui and Molokai, with Mouna Kea on 
Hawaii; the other the islands Lanai and Kahoolawe, together with 
Mouna Hualalai and Mouna Loa on Hawaii, and the crater Kilauea. 
A transverse trend is apparent in the relative situation of Nihau 
and Kauai, ranging nearly at right angles with the course of the 
group. 
b. Nukuhivan Group.—The Nukuhivan or Marquesas Group lies 
in a parallel line with the Hawaiian. As nearly as can be estimated, 
the trend is N. 60° W. 
Following the line of this range on beyond the equator, we observe 
four small islands (the Fanning Group), lying in a single series nearly 
straight, and having the same trend. Although we may not assume 
any connexion between the Fanning and Nukuhivan Groups, the 
coincidence of range, as well as trend, is worthy of remark. 
c. Paumotu Archipelago.—Among the many islands which consti- 
tute this archipelago, there is no difficulty in distinguishing a general 
course from the northward and westward to the southward and east- 
ward, approaching N. 60° W. Even in the separate islands, the pre- 
vailing trend is approximately the same as may be seen in the enlarged 
chart in the Hydrographical Atlas.* From Kruesenstern’s and 
Dean’s Islands on the northwest, the atolls stretch along over the 
sea towards the Gambier or Mangareva Group; and this spot of high 
land, and Pitcairn’s beyond, with some other low islets, lie near its 
eastern extremity. 
d. Tahitian Group.—The Tahitian or Society Group, and also the 
Island of Tahiti itself, conform nearly to the direction of the Paumotus, 
the trend being about N. 62° W. In the line of the group, to the 
eastward and southward, there are several islets, lying in a series, 
* See also the Narrative of the Exploring Expedition, by C. Wilkes, vol. i. 
