108 LEAVES FROM THE BOOK OF NATURE. 



blind, terrible might of furious Weaves. Thus they build, 

 year after year, century after century, until at last their 

 atolls inclose vast lakes in the midst of the ocean, where 

 eternal peace reigns, undisturbed by the stormy waves and 

 the raging tempest. But when their marvellous structure 

 reaches the surface, it rises no further, for the polypi are 

 true children of the deep, and as soon as sun and air 

 touch them they die. 



Like enchanted islands, these circular reefs of the corals 

 bask in the brightest light of the tropics. A light green 

 ring incloses a quiet inland lake, the ground is white, and 

 being shallow, shines brilliantly in the gorgeous floods of 

 light, whilst without the dark, black billows of the ocean 

 approach in a line of breakers, rushing incessantly in white 

 foam against the cliffs; above them an ever pure, deep 

 blue ether; and far beyond, the dark ocean and the hazy 

 air blending at the horizon and melting harmoniously into 

 one another. The effect is peculiarly grand and almost 

 magical, when the coral rings are under water, and the 

 huge, furious breakers toss up their white crests in vast 

 circles around the still, calm waters within, whilst no land, 

 no rock is seen to rise above the surface of the ocean. 



Frequently large reefs, richly studded with graceful palms, 

 surround on all sides lofty mountains, around whose foot 

 there grows a luxuriant, tropical vegetation. Inside of 

 these reefs the water is smooth and mirror-like, basking 

 in the warm sunlight ; without, there is eternal warfare ; 

 raging, foaming surges swell and rush in fierce attack 

 against the firm wall, besieging it year after year, century 

 after century. Thus, the tiny polypi protect proud man 



