1895.] C. F. Oldham —Physical Features of the Laccadives. 
9 
Inside the reef, and extending towards the centre for about one 
mile, all round the south west and north sides, is a shallow flat or 
shelf with depths over it of under one fathom. It consists of sand and 
broken coral, and seems, as in Betra Par, to be formed by the seaward 
growth of the reef and the dissolving action of the sea-water. Inside 
this reef-flat the depths are from 3 to 6 fathoms, the centre part con¬ 
taining ridges of coral which run N. N.-W. and S. S.-E.; towards the 
N.-E. side there are fewer coral-heads, and here are several good boat 
entrances. 
At the N.-E. corner of the atoll is a small sand cay with coral 
boulders piled up on its eastern side. Patches of sand, which shew at 
low water, are also found on the eastern side of the atoll. 
From the appearance of the reef, the reef-flat, and the soundings, 
it is evident that the reef is growing westward and southward at a 
greater rate than in other directions. 
Kavaratti. Like the other eastern atolls of the group, consists of an 
island, with a coral reef on its western side enclosing a shallow lagoon. 
The island is 2§ miles long N.-E. and S.-E., and three-quarters of a mile 
broad towards its north end, narrowing to about a cable half a mile from 
its south extreme. The coral reef forming the lagoon runs parallel to 
and is about six cables from, the beach, it is awash at high water near 
the north end, but covers nearly half a fathom about the centre. 
On the lagoon side the island has sand hillocks 15 to 20 feet high, 
lining the beach fof about half the length of the island from the N.-W. 
extreme; in the centre of the island is a fairly level area, the land slop¬ 
ing up gently as the eastern beach is approached. 
The beach on the N.-E. side is strewn with large coral boulders; the 
eastern beach is exceedingly steep, with a narrow fringe reef. The 
natives of this island seemed better off than in most of the Laccadive 
islands ; they own several large boats which trade with Cochin. 
A comparatively wealthy and intelligent native who had lived here 
all his life was questioned as to changes that had occurred in the con¬ 
figuration of the island. According to him the most frequent gales are 
from the south west, when large quantities of sand are blown up and 
deposited on the western side of the island, only to be washed away by 
the currents and winds of the other season. Good water is obtained 
from wells about 10 to 12 feet deep, formed by cutting through a thin 
stratum of coral rock below which the fresh water seems to lodge. 
Agatti (Aucutta ) group, comprises two atolls situated N.-E. and 
S.-W. of each other towards the extremes of an extensive plateau carry- 
J. ii. 2 
