1921.] 
Thomson.—The Geology of Western Samoa. 
65 
The outcrops of these rocks often lie a few yards seaward of the present 
beaches, forming a sort of breakwater. In height they rarely, if ever, 
attain the height of the beach itself. The rock is a cemented coral sand, 
and is generally riddled by a marine worm. 
Further Exploration. 
An areal geological survey of Western Samoa would not be justified 
at the present time on economic grounds. A physiographic reconnaissance 
is, however, desirable on scientific grounds from its bearing both on tropical 
erosion forms and on the coral-reef problem. 
Daly has described raised beaches and sea-caves in Tutuila, and their 
presence or absence should be carefully looked for in Western Samoa. 
A collection of rock-specimens from various localities in Upolu was made 
by Mr. F. Woods, of the New Zealand Geological Survey Office staff, while 
Fig. 2.— -Cemented beach deposit, Fa’asele’aga district, Savaii. 
serving in the army of occupation, and was presented by him to the Geo¬ 
logical Survey. A further collection was made by myself. It is proposed 
to have these rocks petrographically determined, and further unweathered 
specimens from all parts of the islands would be welcomed. The common 
basalts are, when massive, a dark blue-grey on fresh surfaces. Light-grey, 
white, and green rocks would be of especial interest, as they might prove 
to be andesites, trachytes, or phonolites. Any such specimens should be 
sent to the Dominion Museum, Wellington. 
Bibliography.* 
Andersox, T., 1910. The Volcano of Matavanu in Savaii. Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc., 
vol. 66, pp. 621-39. 
—■■—• 1911. Matavanu, a New Volcano in Savaii (German Samoa). Rep. Brit. Assoc . 5 
vol. 80, p. 654. 
—*—• 1912. Matavanu : A New Volcano in Savaii (German Samoa). Proc. Roy. Inst. 
Great Brit., vol. 19, p. 856. 
* Those papers marked with an asterisk have not been accessible to me. 
5—Science. 
