THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 2T9 



along the reef, even where there is no aperture. 

 The surf in violent gales can roll up upon the reef 

 masses of torn-off coral, weighing many hundred- 

 weights ; such a mass, once lodged, would be the 

 nucleus of an islet ; the sand would speedily accu- 

 mulate around it, which the sun would soon cement 

 into a mass, and then the islet would be ready for 

 vegetation. 



The following lines are beautifully descriptive 

 of the formation of an atoll, though the author 

 seems to hold the erroneous notion of the whole 

 structure being elevated from the bottom by the 

 coral polypes ; — 



"Millions of millions thus, from age to age, 

 With simplest skill, and toil unweariable, 

 No moment and no movement unimproved, 

 Laid line on line, on terrace terrace spread. 

 To swell the heightening, brightening, gradual mound, 

 By marvellous structure climbing tow'rds the day. 

 Each wrought alone, yet altogether wrought; 

 Unconscious, not unworthy, instruments, 

 By which a Hand invisible was rearing 

 A new creation in the secret deep. 

 Omnipotence wrought in them, with them, by themj 

 Hence what Omnipotence alone could do 

 Worms did. * * * * * * 



"Atom by atom thus the burthen grew, 

 Even like an infant in the womb, till Time 

 Deliver'd Ocean of that monstrous birth, 

 A Coral Island, stretching east and west, 

 In God's own language to its parent saying, 

 'Thus far, no farther, shalt thou go; and here 

 Shall thy proud waves be stayed:' — A point at first 

 It peer'd above those waves; a point so small, 

 I just perceived it, fix'd where all was floating; 

 And when a bubble cross'd it, the blue film 



