CHANGES OF LEVEL 403 
largest of the Paumotus, was coasted along by the Peacock, and from 
the vessel we observed that the rim of land consisted for miles of an 
even wall of coral rock, apparently six or eight feet high. This wall 
was broken into rude columns, or excavated with arches and caverns; 
in some places the sea had carried it away from fifty to one hundred 
rods and then there followed again a line of columns and walls, with 
occasional arches as before. ‘The reef, formerly lying at the level of 
low tide, had been raised above the sea and subsequently had under- 
gone degradation from the waves. ‘The standing columns had some 
resemblance in certain parts to the masses seen here and there on the 
shore platforms of other islands; but the latter are only distantly 
scattered masses, while on this island, for the greater part of the 
- course, there were long walls of reef rock. The height moreover 
was greater, and they occurred too on the /eeward side of the island, 
ranging along nearly its whole course. 
The elevation here indicated was at least sez feet ; but it may have 
been greater, as the observations were made from shipboard. Any 
incredulity with regard to the rise of the island, was at once set aside 
by Metia, the next island visited, situated only thirty miles to the 
southward. 
Metia.—This island has already been described, and its elevation 
stated at two hundred and fifty feet. (See page 67.) 
Clermont Tonnerre,* according to Mr. Couthouy, shows the same 
evidence of elevation from ridacnas as Honden Island.  Cler- 
mont Tonnerre and Honden are in the northeastern limits of the 
Paumotus. 
Elizabeth Island was early shown to be an elevated coral island by 
Beechey. ‘This distinguished voyager represents it as having per- 
pendicular cliffs fifty feet in height. From his description, it is 
obviously of the same character as Metia; the elevation is ezghty 
feet. 
Ducre’s Island is described by Beechey as twelve feet high, which 
would indicate an elevation of at least one or tio feet. 
Osnaburgh Island, according to the same author, affords evidence of 
having increased its height since the wreck of the Matilda in 1792. 
He contrasts the change from “a reef of rocks,” as reported by the 
crew, to “‘a conspicuously wooded island,” the condition when he 
* This island was not visited by the writer, as only the officers of the Vincennes 
attempted to land on it. 
