144 REMARKS AND OPINIONS. 



probably formed in the tranquil depths of the 

 ocean. Above, under the influence of various 

 agents, only masses of inferior size can be formed. 

 A broad limbed Corallinciy in a living state, has 

 a vegetable green colour, which it loses when 

 dried. There occurs only one small species of 

 Fucus, which is not yet described, (Fucks Radac- 

 censiSy Mertens.*) 



The sand which is deposited on the inner de- 

 clivity of the reef there accumulates in places into 

 banks. These sand-banks become islands. These, 

 as we have already observed, are more numerous, 

 of larger extent, and richer in soil on the wind- 

 ward side, and on the projecting angles of the 

 group. Smaller, as it were infant, islands lie with- 

 in upon the reef, and the inner sea constantly 

 washes their beach. Some islands rest on stone 

 layers, which slope towards the inner sea. These 

 layers, where they should appear, towards the outer 

 sea, are mostly covered with another layer of the 

 same stone, which consists of coarser fragments of 

 madrepores, and appears on its upper surface un- 

 even and eaten away. This exterior layer is fre- 

 quently broken to pieces, and lies in large blocks, 

 displaced from its natural situation. In other 

 islands we perceive, on the external and internal 



* Algce.) which seem to be entirely wanting on the low islands, 

 are found on tlie reefs at the foot of the high land. We collect- 

 ed on the reefs of Woahoo Fucus nutans and others, several 

 Ulveae, &c. 



