338 VITI ISLANDS. 
group, lie near the western limits of the archipelago. The former is 
ninety-four statute miles long and fifty-five broad, and the latter is one 
hundred and five miles long by twenty-five in average breadth. To 
the westward of these islands, a large area is covered with patches 
of reefs, extending twenty miles from Viti Lebu, towards the Asaua 
Group, and ten to fifteen miles west and north of Vanua Lebu. 
Through this immense coral garden—an epithet it well merits— 
covering an area of one thousand square miles, the waters in the 
channels among the reefs and beds of coral have an average depth of 
twelve or fourteen fathoms, seldom falling below nine, and as rarely 
exceeding twenty fathoms. ‘There is, however, a deep unfathomed 
passage in this area, which separates the reefs of Viti Lebu from those 
of Vanua Lebu. ‘The other islands of the archipelago, lying to the 
eastward of the “ Great Feejee,” and the “ Great Land,” as the above 
names signify, are comparatively small, and are generally separated 
by deep seas which have not been sounded. In several instances, 
however, adjoining islands even where distant are girt by the same 
coral reef. 
A general idea of the features of these islands may perhaps be best 
conveyed by supposing some large tract of land crowdedly embossed 
with mountains, to sink, till here and there a peak, or a ridge, or 
collections of ridges, stand out of water. 
The islands present nearly all the varieties of form which basaltic 
rocks are capable of assuming. Rugged ridges with bluff escarpments 
running up into needle peaks, characterize some portions of the 
group; while others are comparatively flat, and expose along the 
shores a cliff of basaltic columns. But, in general, the ridges have 
tamely rounded summits, or if irregular in outline, there is not that 
variety of lofty pinnacles and deep gorges which forms the principal 
charm of the scenery in the Tahitian Group. 
The larger islands appear to the passing observer to consist of a 
perpetual succession of ridge and valley, and as far as we could learn 
by inquiry or examination, the same diversity exists through the 
interior, with no intervening plains of sufficient extent to require 
remark. But the declivities are mostly gradual, and often admit of 
cultivation nearly to the summit. ‘These slopes, especially to leeward, 
are covered with grass eighteen or twenty inches high, which, from 
its dry, yellowish appearance, gives the country an arid aspect. 'To- 
ward the summits, black rocks occasionally crop out or surmount 
the ridge like ancient ruins. Luxuriant forests also cover the ele- 
