On the Formation and Growth of Coral Reefs and Islands. 55 



that it is twelve tliousaiid feet high, and that on the top of its highest moun- 

 tain there is coral, while at a short distance there is a volcanic crater vvitli 

 two gorges. Now imagine this island to have been wholly submerged, is 

 it not apparent that the most elevated point was within reach of the coral 

 animals, to found their colonies upon ? — whilst the crater at the same ele- 

 vation wo'.ild have formed the basis for a lagoon island, with two openings j 

 when, from its being so much below the surface, it remained uncoated by 

 coral matter ; but, being elevated together with the adjacent isles, and 

 filling with rain water, it now forms the fresh water lake. 



Therefore it is a natural presumption, that the island was projected 

 twelve thousand feet at one movement: (for had it been gradual, the whole 

 island would have been flanked by limestone, or if its uprising had been 

 intermittent, the limestone would present itself in the form of zones or 

 terraces ;) and, in consequence of the time which has elapsed since this 

 took place, the coral animals have had time to form the vast bulk of calca- 

 reous matter, which now surrounds these islands : and should any after 

 elevations take place, sufficient to raise the whole of this portion of Poly- 

 nesia a few thousand feet, it will be equally evident that a continent in 

 regard to extent of country as large as Europe will be produced, and in 

 many respects bearing a strong analogy to it. 



Tahiti is not singular with regard to these proofs of comparatively 

 modern elevations ; if further examples were necessary, it would be only 

 to mention as familiar instances, the Isle of France, where a bed of coral 

 ten feet thick may be observed between two beds of lava j Bermuda, Gua- 

 daloupe, Barbadoes, and other islands, independent of the proofs whicli 

 the continent of Europe gives us of similar occurrences in antecedent 

 times; for how else is it that our own island presents such numerous facts 

 relative to its having once formed the bottom of the ocean ? Again, how 

 can we account for the marine ])roductions which are situated upon the 

 Pyrenees, at the height of 10,500 feet j or in America, upon the Andes, 

 at 13,000? 



Italy offers a peculiarly favourable spot to be put in opposition to the 

 formations here treated of. Italy in general is covered by strata contain- 

 ing marine remains, extending to an altitude of 1200 feet above the sea 

 level, while the extreme height of the Aj)penines is 9000 feet; tiie whole 

 of the chain from this height down to that of 1200, must be supposed to 

 have formed a ridge rising above the sea. 



It is therefore evident, that at the period at which Italy became dry 

 land, the whole must have experienced an elevation of J 200 feet; and 

 that the cementing paste was precipitated suddenly, is proved by the 

 perfection and peculiar situation in whicli many of the marine fossils are 

 found ; among such may be mentioned a specimen from Monte liolca, now 

 in the collection at Paris, wherein one fish appears to have been arrested 

 io the act of swallowing another. 



