110 



formed by 



FUNAFUTI 



the growth of a pink-coloured calcareous 

 seaweed known as Melobesia* Beyond this rim, which 

 projects above the sea at low tide, lies the growing 

 surface of the reef, which is constantly submerged, so 

 that under no circumstances are the corals which thickly 

 cover it at any time exposed to the air. 



Deep chasms gash the edge of the tidal platform, the 

 continuation inland of the lanes of clear sea which wander 



FIG. 31. Funafuti on the Ocean Side. 



through the growing reef ; in these chasms a few corals 

 may generally be found, their polypes sometimes 

 brilliantly coloured and in full expansion. 



The calcareous alga, previously alluded to as Melobesia, 

 forms the lips of these chasms, and by its luxuriant 

 growth may more or less completely roof them over, 

 generally leaving one or more apertures, which act as 



blow-holes. 



* Xow known as Lithothamnium. 



