1895.] 0. F. Oldham —Physical Features of the Laccadives. 5 
On the eastern shore the beach is composed of broken boulders of 
reef corals and comminuted fragments. On this side the reef extends 
a hundred yards from the beach, and then goes off into deep water; the 
reef does not dry, and a boat in fine weather can always pass over it and 
ground on the beach off the ends of the island ; shallow water of 5 to 7 
fathoms extends over half-a-mile. The lagoon appears to be 6 to 8 feet 
deep, and has two openings to it through the reef. These openings 
would soon close by the growth of the coral did not the natives periodi¬ 
cally clear the passages. 
The island appears to be extending lagoon wards, by the accumula¬ 
tion of coral sand washed from the reef; its extremes are also being 
added to by the sand and debris washed up by the currents. Its surface 
is thickly planted with coconuts, jungle being found only on the extremi¬ 
ties and where the island has extended lagoon wards. 
Mention has already been made of the reef on the eastern side 
of the island ; that on the western side is different in character, being 
a reef a-wash at low water, which extending from the extremes of the 
island, encloses the shallow lagoon. Owing to the weather no examination 
was possible, but viewed from seaward it appeared to be formed of coral 
in vigorous growth : the soundings obtained shewed a gradually increas¬ 
ing depth from the reef to the 20-fathom line, where it drops into deep 
water. 
Chitlac Island extends N. N.-E. and S. S-W. If miles, and is about 
one-tliird of a mile broad. Like Kiltan it forms the eastern side of a 
coral atoll. Ridges and mounds of sand and coral were observed in 
different parts, the highest mound being about 30 feet above high 
water. On the eastern side, inside the beach, is a long narrow depression. 
The eastern beach is covered with big boulders of reef corals. The 
fringe reef extends 20 to 30 yards from the beach, uncovers at low water, 
and has growing coral at its edge ; its surface being strewn with coral 
debris. 
The north point of the island extends about 20C yards beyond the 
coconut plantation, and curves towards the lagoon ; the first 100 yards 
of this extension is covered with littoral plants, the last part with large 
boulders of coral broken off the fringe-reef, which here is very narrow. 
Sand has been washed up and has accumulated amongst the boulders. 
The north point of the island has altered in appearance since the 
last survey in 1848. At that time, an island existed off the north end, 
which at present is connected to the main, and covered with bushes. 
The natives report that the connection was made in November, 1891, 
during a storm from the N.-E. 
