type of sandstone which has not been subject to pressure and has been semi bound by lime leached from the shells and so on which compose the sand. In many places this chalky, soap sand stone is deep where it has formed in pockets in the coral but for the greater part it is only 2 feet or more deep and is super- imposed on solid coral rock. In places the 2 or 3 inches of vegetable loam soil has formed or solid coral rock without the intermediate soft sandy stone layer. Throughout the whole of the area pure coral outcrops and dykes are very prevalant and in few places can one go far without encountering extensive coral outcrop areas. Immediately adjacent to the swamps on their east side these areas are subject to periodical inundation and are really more or less swamps though they do dry out but the water table is very high not more than 6 to 8 inches under the surface at any time and generally only 1 or 2 inches if not actually under water. Fortunately the soil itself generally only a thin layer of a few inches is very porous as in the underlaying coral rock stratum and a constant water movement slight but continuous keeps the soil sufficiently sweet for coconuts and probably 95% of this area is given over to that form of permanent cultivation. It is noticeable the palms do not do as well there as on higher ground and in places even show the effects by yellowing of their leaves and so on. Coconut culture at least enables the soil to drain out more rapidly and allows sunlight to reach the ground and assist general improvement in the fertility of the area. The natural vegetation of this type of land is a low thick tangled scrub of 10 ft. and 15 ft. whip stick like casuarinas, shrubs etc. with masses of rushes and cane vines. The areas behind these not subject to flooding grow a stunted forest of 20 to 25 ft. trees