Nov. 1, 1900.] THE TROPICAL AGRICULTUKIST. 
351 
depths within the lagoon in reference to its shoals, 
&o. Work on this point could seldom be carried on 
outside the reefs, as originally intended, owing to 
the heavy north-westerly winds which prevailed. 
The lagoon was dredged to ascertain the distribution 
of its corals, and a few water samples and tempera- 
ture observations were taken. 
Considerable attention was paid at Minikoi to the 
sand-feeding organisms, especially Holothurias, 
Knteropneusta, and Sipuncnlida. These forms ap- 
pear to be largely instrumental in finely triturating 
the sand, the small particles being subsequently car- 
ried out of the lagoon in a state of suspension. The 
boring organisms, too, are very important in causing 
the decay of dead coral and rock, especially in the 
lagoon. These, accordingly, do not form points of at- 
tachment for fresh reef-growths to arise, and owing 
to the larger surface exposed are the more readily 
dissolved by the water. Indeed all evidence collected 
Bhowed that the lagoons of atolls may be, and are, 
Tery generally formed by the solution of the central 
rock of originally more or less flat reefs. 
In October 1899 I left for the Maldive group, to 
"which I was accompanied by Mr. Forster Cooper, 
who assisted me in all the work and very largely took 
charge of the dredging. The Sultan lent us a schooner 
of about eighteen tons, which we at once fitted 
out in Male, subsequently cruising through the nor- 
thern atolls during the mouths of November, Decem- 
ber, and part of January. About a hundred islands 
in the atolls of Goifurfehendu (Horsburgh), S 
Mahlos, N Mahlos, N Miladnmmaduln, S Miladum- 
madulu, Padiffolu, and Male were visitpd. Numerous 
soundings were made and dredgings everywhere 
taken. Horsburgh Atoll and the two atolls of 
Mahlos Madnlu in particular were thoroughly worked 
over. 
Parta of January and February 1900 were spent at 
Hulule, a small island at the south-east corner of 
Male Atoll, this being the month of Ramazan, A 
thorough survey of this island and its reefs was made, 
the whole forming an atoll of the second order, an 
atollon on the rim of an atoll. Large collections 
were obtained of the fauna of this atollon from all 
depths, together with observations on many special 
points. A set of corals of known period of growth 
was collected from an artificial passage through the 
reef to the3 landing-place of the island. 
In February Mr Forster Cooper took the schooner 
off for a short dredging cruise in Male Atoll, while I 
remained in Male making special observations on the 
water temperature, currents, food, &c. 
In March I was unfortunately obliged owing to 
illness, to return to Ceylon, where I spent some time 
in hospital. Mr Forster Cooper meantime continued 
the work, taking the schooner and dredging the attolls 
of S Male, Felidu, Mulaku, Kolumadulu, and Had- 
dnmati, 
In April I returned with the s.s. " Ileafaee," a 
vessel of about 350 tons which I had char- 
tered. Mr Froster Cooper was relieved in Had- 
dumati Atoll and joined the steamer, the schooner 
being sent back to Male. We then proceeded 
to Huvadn (Suvadiva) Atoll, which we entered by a 
northern passage. The lagoon to the east was dredged 
and sonnded, the pooitions of islands and reefs observed 
and four islands visited. A move was then made to 
Addu Atoll, the outer slopes of which and also the 
lagoon were dredged and sounded. The islands were 
charted in with the assistance of Captain Molony, 
and the majority were visited by some member of the 
party. On returning to Suvadiva the south and west 
aides of that atoll were dredged. On account of the 
heavy weather we were prevented from seeing Mulaku, 
which we had especially desired to visit. 
Proceeding north to Male we skirted Haddumati 
Atoll and crossed Kolumadulu, then visited and 
dredged S and N Nilandu Atolls, subsequently anchor- 
ing in Felidu and Ari. The passages were sounded 
between the following atolls : Kolumadulu and S 
Nilandn, S and N Niladdu, Mulaku and Wattaru, 
'^aUarq an<J Felidu, ^ iiil^iix and Ad. ^ ap(^ ]^ Male. 
Three further lines of soundings were run across the 
central basin between the east and west lines of atolls. 
More than three hundred dredgings were taken, and 
in addition large and, we believe, very complete col- 
lections were made of the reef-fauna at Minikoi and 
Hulule four natives at least always accompanying and 
assisting us in this work, The collections of land- 
fauna we believe to be equally complete from these 
islands. Collections of the plants of five separate 
Maldivian islands are now in the hands of Mr J C 
Wills, Peradeniva Gardens, Ceylon. 
A larg^ number of anthropological measnrementa 
and considerable enthnological colections were pro- 
cured, of which we hope to give the Association 
an account at some subsequent meeting. 
PLANTING NOTES. 
Camphor, — The market in Japan is very firm, 
crude being quoted at from 182s 6d to 185s per 
cwt., c.i.f. Inquiries on the spot show there is 
practically nothing to be had, although 192s 6d 
is quoted. In the drug-auctions 100 cases of 
pres^.sed Formosa camphor in cases of 133 lb. net 
each were held at 205s. per cwt. Today, German 
retinets have reduced their price by Id., per 
lb., antl now quote 2s l^d per ton, c.i.f., for 
prompt delivery, linglish refiners, however, aie 
very firm, and the tendency is towards an advance, 
fi anything. — Chemist and Dru(/gist, Sapt. 29, 
The Triumphs op Electricity.— Surely 
this is cue of the most notable experiments 
with electricity in the East. An Indian 
contenrporary writes, "the Mysore Govern- 
ment have at length finally settled all the 
points that were at issue between themselves 
and the Government of Madras relative to 
the water of the Cauvery Falls, and they 
have accepted the tender (£140,941) of the 
General Electric Company of the United 
States, who have undertaken to complete^ 
within twenty months, the installation of the 
plant required at Sivasamudram to generate 
5,000 horse-power and to transmit it a dis- 
tance of ninety miles to a central station on 
the Kolar Gold Felds. Arrangements are 
being made with the various Gold-mining 
Companies now at work on the Fields for the 
distribution of the electricity from the central 
station and for the installation of motors to 
work the machine now driven by steam." 
The Consolidated Estates Company, 
Ld.— We give the very full Report of the 
Managers, Messrs. Arbuthnot Latham & Co., 
in our daily and T.A. In a sepai'ate table, the 
progress of the Company from the beginning 
is sliewn and we notice the figures for 1899-1900 
Besides the preference capital of £37,000 
and ordinary £39,000, the Company has 
£46,700 of debentures (or £2,500 less than in 
the previous year). The total capital £122,700 
represents 3,929 acres in cultivation so the 
rate per acre is not high, without counting 
366 acres reserve fit for tea and over 800 acres 
besides. The last crop of tea was 1,651,410 
lb. realising 515-]6d average; the rupee 
averaged Is 4 3I-64d : total proceeds of crop 
£42,197 13s lOd and the profit £11,295 
lis 6d. The dividends (8 per cent on prefer- 
ences and 5 per cent ordinary) are the same as 
last year ; but besides the reduction on de- 
bentures, the Reserve Fund now at £2,097 
is £426 above last year. Altogether, there- 
fore, the Company has done well (j^iulog 1889; 
