Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 60.djvu/540

504 the sand by a sancl-pump, bat proved unavailing, the sand flowing in faster than it could be pumped out. Ayles assured me that it was impossible to descend another foot,'and that he considered further labour as time and money thrown away. We decided therefore to abandon this borehole, and to recommence operations on another site, if possible in solid rock.

The structure of the ground passed through in the abandoned borehole was as follows :—

Sand yv/th some coral blocks. Coral reefs a n d blocks som e sand. S an d m tb som e blocks.

Although I knew of many places where solid rock forms the surface of the ground, it was very difficult to find one to which we could transport our machinery, the difficulties of landing on a rocky shore rendered several promising spots inaccessible by sea, wrhile the absence of wheeled vehicles or even wheels, and the nature of the ground, seemed to put transportation by land out of the question.

At last, however, Mr. Hedley pointed out to me a portage called Luamanif, and used by the natives for dragging their canoes from the lagoon to the seaward side of the island, which at this place is very narrow, about 70 yards across. As this seemed a good landing-place, I submitted it to the consideration of Captain f ield, who, after a personal examination, agreed that we might safely make use of it. Ayles and his party were then set to