CHAPTER XV. 



CORAL INSECTS AND CORAL ISLANDS POLYNESIA OPERATIONS OF 

 THE CORAL INSECT GROWTH OF CORAL REEFS. 



JjANY of the large and beautiful islands that 

 stud the Pacific Ocean, like emeralds in a 

 field of blue, are artificial; that is to 

 say, they were made by artists they were actually 

 built by artisans ! 



These artisans are the coral insects ; and as they 

 not only affect the face of the sea by raising large 

 islands above it, but also, in consequence of their 

 labours, assist in causing the circulation of the 

 ocean, we think they are justly entitled to very 

 special attention. 



The great archipelago called Polynesia covers 

 an area of the Pacific nearly 5000 miles in length, 

 and not far short of 2000 in breadth. Some of the 

 islands of this group are of volcanic origin, and 

 some are crystal; but by far the greater number 

 are of coral formation the work of those curious 

 little insects, which are so small that they inhabit 

 a dwelling sometimes little larger than a pin-point. 



