COKAL ISLANDS. 121 



In like manner, slowly and silently, millions of 

 tiny arms, the members of a compound whole, ply 

 the task, generation after generation, till the cal- 

 careous fabric, based on some submarine volcanic 

 hill, rises to the surface, and there appears, 



" A coral island, stretching east and west, 

 In God's own language to its parent saying, 

 Thus far, nor farther shalt thou go, and here 

 Shall thy proud waves be stayed !" 



Here the sea birds repair, and uninterrupted, 

 save by the noise of the tempest- tossed billows 

 around, rear their broods for many a returning 

 season. Here the waves and winds carry seeds, and 

 throw them on it ; they germinate, the vegetation 

 decays, and in process of time a rich mould is pro- 

 duced. Soon the cocoa waves its graceful head, 

 and forests rise. At length, by chance as he would 

 term it, but as we should say, according to the 

 determination of Almighty Wisdom, comes man, and 

 claims it as his own. Such is many a South Sea 

 Island such its origin, such its founders, while as 

 the traveller recalls it, he perhaps adds, 



" A sea-lake rose amidst the fossil isle, 

 Reflecting in its ring its cliffs and caverns, 

 With heaven itself seen like a lake below." 



