PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 183 



The outer side of the wall springs from unfathom- chap 

 able depths ; the inner descends with a slope to v ~^'-*- 

 about 120 or 150 feet below the surface. This ab- j 8 a 2 n 6 ' 

 ruptness causes the sea to break and expend its fury 

 upon the reef without disturbing the waters in the 

 lagoon. The coral animals consequently rear their 

 delicate structure there without apprehension of 

 violence ; and form their submarine grottoes in all 

 the varied shapes which fancy can conceive. They 

 have already encircled each of the islands with a 

 barrier, which they are daily extending ; and have 

 reared knolls so closely as almost to occupy all the 

 northern part of the lagoon. More independent 

 tribes are in other parts bringing to the surface 

 numerous isolated columns, tending to the same 

 end ; and all seems to be going on with such acti- 

 vity, that a speculative imagination might picture 

 to itself at no very remote period, one vast plain 

 covering the whole surface of the lagoon, yielding 

 forests of bread-fruit, cocoa-nuts, and other trees, 

 and ultimately sustenance to a numerous population, 

 and a variety of animals subservient to their use. 



The general steepness of the volcanic islands of 

 this groupe is such, that the soil finds a resting- 

 place on a comparatively small portion of them ; 

 and on the coral islands it is scarcely deep and rich 

 enough, exposed as it is to the sea air, to contribute 

 much to the support of man. A soil formed from 

 the decomposition of the basaltic rocks, irrigated by 

 streams from the mountains, requires nothing but a 

 due proportion of care and labour on the part of 

 the natives to render it very productive. There is, 

 however, a sad neglect in this respect, which is the 

 more extraordinary, as there are no quadrupeds or 



