Staff- Comr. II. Hosken, R.N. — Notes on Coral Reefs. 71 
Continuing in tbis way, a number of cases migkt be considered 
which would show us tbat in seine cases tbe deptb of ice below the 
surface of the water is eigkt times tbat whicb is above, in some 
cases less tkan eigbt times, and in otber cases greater tban eigbt 
times. 
Wkat now remains to be done is to take tbe case -which seems to 
be, for tbe generality of icebergs, tbe most probable one. Tbis 
I believe to be tbe case where we bave a pinnacle Standing on a foot 
or pedestal, or in tbe limiting case a cone floating witb its apex 
upwards. In tbis case the height above the surface of the water will 
be generally greater than the depth which is below. Until future 
observations sbow tbis view to be a wrong one, I tbink I sball 
be justified in keeping to tbe above result. 
YII. — Notes on Cobal Eeefs. 
By Staff-Commander Henry Hosken, R.N., H.M.S. Pearl. 
[Communicated by R. H. Scott, F.R.S., Director of the Meteorological Office.] 
I HAYE to tkank you for your kind letter of tbe 2 Ith of December, 
1875 ; it affords me great satisfaction to bear tbat my remarks 
about the New Hebrides 1 bave interested you. 
Tbinking tbat my observations on tbe soundings tbat I obtained 
off tbe east end of Vanikoro Island, Santa Cruz Group, might be 
useful, I propose to forward a copy of them, together witb tracings, 
witb tbe next Log that I sball complete and send into office ; the 
Originals were forwarded to tbe Hydrograpbical Department on the 
31st December, 1875. A new edition of tbe Chart No. 986 witb 
corrections bas since been issued. 
Tbe cbief interest of tbis discovery is not so mucb in its kydro- 
grapbical importance, as in its connexion witb tbe probable alteration 
of tbe geological formation of these reefs, or eise, allowing tbat they 
existed at the time of tbe Survey, it sbows tbat tbis “ Barrier Beef” 
is not so different from the general rule as was at first supposed, 
wlien tbe Chart sbowed a gap of eigbt miles in tbe reef. 
Before our arrival at Yanikoro Island, Commodore Goodenougk 
and I bad been remarking on the peculiarity of tbe apparent cessation 
of tbe “ Barrier Beef ” on tbe weather side of tbat island. 
Tbe Pearl was taken into the ancborage of Ocili Harbour, Tevai 
Bay, under sail, a strong Trade was blowing ; wben nearly abreast 
Dillon Head, and steering in on tbe course recommended, a skoal 
spot, upon wbicb the sea occasionally broke heavily, was seen ; tbis 
was only cleared by about a sbip’s length ; particulars are given in 
copy of remarks. Tbe patcb appeared to consist of live coral. 
Wkilst tbe Pearl was steaming out, several soundings were 
obtained, and much discoloured water seen over skoal-looking 
ground, tbe description of wbicb is given in Eemarks, and tbe 
Position sbown in tbe tracings already alluded to. 
It bad been Commodore Goodenough’s intention to bave taken 
tbe Pearl inside tbe “Barrier Beef,” but eventually it was considered 
1 See Geol. Mag. 1876, Decade II. Yol. III. p. 82. 
