The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1861-11-28

Is said also that what must then have been
the barrier reef possessed land, which is now
Ebon islet. The present passage is twelve
or fourteen fathoms deep, and at the inflow
ing and outflowing of the tide has neces-
sarily a very strong current, being the only
outlet for the whole lagoon-when the waters
are lower than the reef. AS it flows in
against a strong wind, its presence may be
traced quite across the lagoon, from the rip
pie of the waters and the white caps. The
reef-f1ats near the passage in the lagoon are
being covered with sand and other coral de-
bris-the nucleus of some future islet. The
small coral patches in the lagoon are all
covered with a few inches of water at low
tide.
Ebon is the largest islet on the reef, as
shown on the accompanying sketch-and
gives name to the whole atoll. Its length
from point to point is about eight miles. A
singular feature is found upon il, a ledge of
coral conglomerate. The map by the sign
~ presents its position. On the north end
of the isiet it projects itself free from all soil
or sand and its course as marked, can easily
be traced by its repeated o%utcropping. The
land which lies on the sea side is of con-
siderable more recent formation than that
on the lagoon side. The difference is very
perceptibie. The ledge or embankment was
formed, no doubt. mainly from the wash of
the lagoon. This is seen from its lamina-
ton sloping that way. 1t undoubtedly
served an important purpose in catching and
holding the finer materials thrown up from
the lagoon.
At the wv. bend of the islet the surface
is quite uneven, hills and wales in miniature
form and size show themselves. They are
formed no doubt by the drift of the sand
blown up into little hillocks. From its elbow
round to the NE. point the islet possesses
but little soil. 1t is however covered with a
quite heavy growth of bushes and trees, all
possessing a very rich and deep green color
and this is indeed characteristic Of the
foliage of the whole island. 1t has none of
that sickly yellow, half nourished hue, which
we find upon many coral islands-those
all the growth is beautiful. There is soil
and rain enough to nourish well the tropical
vegetation.
1 have not been able to obtain an exact
classification of the plants of this atoll. More
than fifty distinct species, however, will be
found. We will mention some which enter
chiefly INTO the support of native life. The
Artocarpus is represented by some eight or
ten varieties, one, the A. integrJolia-and
the rest A. incisa. The Pandanus odoratis-
SimuS is represented by some twenty varie-
ties. Its fruit enters largely into the native
food. 1t is prepared in large rolls enclosed
with its own leaf,-and may be kept for
years. The cocoanut (CocoS mucJera) is
represented by some ten varieties, distin-
only by the nut. Two varieties of
taro (Arum e~Sculentum) is quite plentifully
grown. 1t is raised in large beds prepared
somewhat for it. These beds differ from
those found on the Kingsmill Islands. They
are not as there, excavations carefully worked
out and good soil prepared and worked in.
They seem in a measure TO be natural ex-
perhaps the sunken hollows be-
tween hillocks. These hollows with some
little preparation would answer the purpose
at least their origin at this day is un-
known. If a native be asked concerning
he invariable refers them TO the work
of spirits. Around rhe margin of these
crops. And the larger islets have
the missionaries are now growing.
This atoll is the home for a few varieties
Of birds. But in this feature of the island,
the contrast is as wide between the 'low
coral" island and the "high volcanic" one
as between their natural features. The
high islands of Micronesia are largely sup
piled with the feathery tribe,-but this atoli
IAN claim only a very few birds-and with
NO or three exceptions these are all water
fowl. There are a few Columbide, Carpo-
oceanica, which manage to elude the
keen search of the natives. These birds are
occasionally heard cooling away in the tops
Of some quite isolated bread-fruit tree. A
gives forth occasionally its sharp
these, with the addition Of
another land bird whose species | have not
been able to learn-are all the feathery
'ongsters this atoll can claim.
The shores of the reef at low tide, and the
bare rocks, are a little enlivened by the
and white Heron. Small flocks of
(Sco10par) gather on the sand bars
or single individuals are running along the
beach picking up food. An occasional plover
.Charadrius) is to be seen. Sea swallows
.Sterna Stoliia and Sierra Minutia) are
the waters of the lagoon or resting
IN the beach. A BOBBY (Laaa) now and
hen is seen sailing over the island. His
is unknown to the natives. His want
If caution is clearly seen in the easy way a
native will ascend a tree in which the bird is
costing and with a slipnoose capture him.
An interesting explanation of the origin of
he single variety of the CuclluS is given by
he natives-so skillful has this bird been in
'oncealing its birthplace. As the natives
ind it only full grown they say that it is
,orn and nourished in the clouds and falls TO
he earth of full size.
At least five species Of reptiles are found
m the aroll. Four are of the Lacertinide-
nd one, Geckotide. The Gecko readily
omesticates himself, and lives upon the
louse flies and gnats he finds. The LAGER.
inide find their homes on trees and bushes.
The varieties of insects are interestingly
1t might seem as though these
tolls, so comparatively recent in their origin,
would be but feebly represented by any va
ieties of animal life. But the entomologist
will find here not an undressing field of