It is remarkable how little attention has been
paid to encircling barrier-reefs; yet they are truly wonderful
structures. The sketch (Plate 94) represents part of the barrier
encircling the island of Bolabola in the Pacific, as seen from one
of the central peaks. In this instance the whole line of reef has
been converted into land; but usually a snow-white line of great
breakers, with only here and there a single low islet crowned with
cocoa-nut trees, divides the dark heaving waters of the ocean from
the light green expanse of the lagoon-channel. And the quiet waters
of this channel generally bathe a fringe of low alluvial soil,
loaded with the most beautiful productions of the tropics, and
lying at the foot of the wild, abrupt, central mountains.
Encircling barrier-reefs are of all sizes, from three miles to no
less than forty-four miles in diameter; and that which fronts one
side, and encircles both ends, of New Caledonia, is 400 miles long.
Each reef includes one, two, or several rocky islands of various
heights; and in one instance, even as many as twelve separate
islands. The reef runs at a greater or less distance from the
included land; in the Society Archipelago generally from one to
three or four miles; but at Hogoleu the reef is 20 miles on the
southern side, and 14 miles on the opposite or northern side, from
the included islands.
Pages:
882
883
884
885
886
887
888
889
890
891
892
893
894
895
896
897
898
899
900
901
902
903
904
905
906