26 
Mr Gardiner , The Atoll of Minikoi. 
The lagoon, as is commonly the case in small atolls, is shallow 
and much broken up by shoals. It has a sand flat against the 
rough zone of the reef, especially broad to the south ; this can be 
waded nearly everywhere at low tide. The central deeper part is 
evidently enlarging in all directions at the present day. The 
following give evidence of this : — (1) there is a marked cliff all 
round from one to about three fathoms ; (2) the shoals have all 
precipitous sides often overhanging; (3) coral growth is absent 
from the bottom ; (4) the depths show a slight general increase 
as compared with the chart ; (5) there are no foraminiferal 
deposits, the sand being the same everywhere, exceedingly fine, 
evidently for the most part much broken and triturated coral 
fragments. 
Tracing back the history of the atoll the island would appear 
to have been formed entirely by either an elevation of the whole 
atoll, or more probably by a change of level in the surrounding 
ocean. The highest point of land is 19 feet above the low tide 
level, and such an height is only found in one position, and may 
be partly artificial. Allowing amply for denudation, it is fair to 
suppose a change of about four fathoms. When first the altera- 
tion in relative level took place, it is probable that the island 
extended round the atoll, except perhaps where the present ships’ 
passage exists, the presence of pinnacles at any part being taken 
as evidence of the existence of former land. The sandy part of 
Minikoi island was probably mainly an after formation, due to 
washing up from the lagoon. 
At the present day the reef of the atoll is indubitably grow- 
ing outwards on every side — the curious formation to the north- 
east being due to special local conditions — and the lagoon is 
deepening and broadening. There is no evidence of a former 
central island, such as is commonly found in the Fiji Group, nor 
is there any indication of subsidence throughout the Laccadives. 
Indeed it would appear more probable that this atoll has been 
formed sui generis , has perhaps grown up as a flat reef on some 
mound on the sea floor, subsequently attaining its present ring 
shape. On this view the numerous deep banks of the Laccadives 
represent incipient stages in the formation of reefs, while its 
islands and reefs exemplify the changes which finally produce the 
perfect atoll. In all this region however there was probably a 
change of level of the reefs in respect to the sea, which has 
modified them considerably, but the main features certainly 
remain. 
A full report on the atoll is in preparation and will shortly be 
published. The foregoing account was read at the recent meeting 
of the British Association at Bradford. 
