570 
PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 
filtered rather than accumulations of rain-water. In consequence of 
the brackish nature of the water in the wells, it is not used extensively 
for drinking purposes, the natives preferring the rain-water caught 
from the thatched roofs of their houses, or the water of the cocoanut. 
Volcanic Origin . — Many of the islands to the north of Rotuma 
lying near the equator are of coral formation, and only elevated a few 
feet above sea -level ; but Rotuma, on the contrary, is mountainous, 
having a ridge of hills running nearly through the island about 600 
feet high. It is evident that Rotuma is of volcanic origin, there being 
two extinct volcanoes — one in the centre of the island, and the other 
at the extreme west end. Several persons have been down the latter, 
and have travelled its subterraneous passages far from the light of 
day. in different places there can he clearly traced the broad belt of 
lava, which flowed not only right down to the water’s edge but out 
to low-water mark. Volcanic conglomerate, tufaceous stones, porous 
and compact basalts are found of every texture, of many colours, and 
in various stages of decomposition. 
Coral Beefs.— Rotuma, like the great majority of islands in the 
Pacific, has its coral reefs. The island is enclosed by a coral reef, with 
a break here and there. At places the reef extends one or two miles 
from the shore, at others scarcely allowing room for the passage of a 
boat within it, and then disappearing altogether for a short distance. 
Inside the reef the water is shallow, not sufficiently deep to allow a 
boat to proceed at low water. At the islands west of Koturna there 
is a large coral reef, not only extending from island to island, but far 
beyond. Upon whatever theory we may account for the construction 
of these immense coral reefs, there are, I think, unequivocal signs that 
they are undergoing dissolution. I am acquainted with reefs to the 
extent of hundreds of miles in Rotuma and Fiji, and I have noticed 
innumerable cracks and fissures, and even caves scooped out of the coral 
wall by the incessant action of the water. There are signs innumer- 
able of decay and spoliation, but 1 have seen no indication of power 
to repair the damage done. When the reefs lift their heads to the 
water-level, they not only seem to have no further power of growth, 
but from that time are a prey to the ravages of the elements. It is a 
theory that has been advocated by some that there are no passages in a 
coral reef where there is no fresh running water, and that opposite every 
opening in the reef there must of necessity be a river or creek. It is 
true, I believe, that opposite a river you will generally find a passage 
in the reef, but at Rotuma we find several passages in the reef, but 
not a single river or creek on the island. 
No Harbours.— In Rotuma there is no harbour for shipping, but 
simply two open roadsteads. A change of wind may necessitate alL 
shipping proceeding at once to sea. If caught in a hurricane there is 
no hope of safety for vessels of the class that trade with the islands. 
For these reasons sea captains do not care to visit the island, especially 
for the first three months of the year. 
Garden of tie Pacific . — Rotuma has been called the “ Garden 
of the Pacific,” because of its beauty and fertility. Whichever way 
you approach it from the sea, no barren rock meets the eye — it is 
evergreen. From the highest peak down to the water’s edge there 
are t o be seen tens of thousands of cocoanut palms, waving their 
