42 THE CANADIAN NATURALIST. [Feb. 



To show more clearly the beneficial effects of these barrier-reefs 

 in preventing the total annihilation of all vegetable productions, 

 we have only to draw your attention to the present state of the 

 district known as '' The Sand Hills " in Payet's parish, about the 

 centre of the main island, where the barrier reef is close in shore, 

 and does not present a sufficient breakwater to prevent the full 

 force of the waves throwing up vast quantities of sand upon the 

 shore, which, acted upon, by the heavy gales from the southward, 

 is blown in clouds to the top of the hill, some hundred and fifty 

 feet above high-water mark, and burying whole groves of cedar 

 and cottages, is rapidly extending its limits, and will ere long 

 commit still greater damage by covering land now under cultiva- 

 tion. This present fact is sufficient to prove the use of barrier- 

 reefs to oceanic islands, and also more clearly the use of oceanic 

 currents in bringing to such positions animal life capable of effect- 

 ing so much good by preserving a luxuriant vegetation from utter 

 . destruction. 



As we have in considering our question touched upon the for- 

 mation of coral reefs, perhaps it would not be uninteresting to state 

 a few particulars in regard to the growth and habits of the coral 

 zoophytes, and the difierent forms which are found inhabiting the 

 same reef in the Bermuda waters. 



There are five species of coral growing on the reefs, while in 

 the sheltered sounds and harbors two or three more are found. 

 The finger-coral {Isladrefpora 'p cdmatd) appears to be the most 

 abundant, crowding its palmate processes in every direction under 

 water, and before it has been cleaned, it has a buff color, and 

 when touched by the hand has the peculiar slimy feel common to 

 all corals, and formed by the presence of the animal which secretes 

 the hard calcareous mass. Some specimens of this species are ex- 

 tremely beautiful, presenting every shape and form which palmate 

 processes can exhibit. At the extremities, digits of all lengths 

 crown the ridge, while from the flattened sides arise in many 

 cases extra palms digitated in like manner. The whole structure 

 is remarkably porous. A species of 3Iadrepora known as the star- 

 coral (31. ocidina) is also found on the outer reefs, though by no 

 means so abundant as the former. It is by far the prettiest-form- 

 ed coral in the Bermudas, and when cleaned, presents a series of 

 the most exquisite white branches covered with elevated cells. In 

 the water it has a green appearance, and is coated with the usual 



