110 POPULAR ILLUSTRATIONS OF 



with the past, and perpetuates the living memories of some dear 

 friend or relative who has long since found his rest in the deep sea. 

 But there is no part of the interest attached to the Coral of greater 

 significance than that which we shall find connected with its history 

 in the formation of the crust of the earth. The thousands of islands 

 which, for the space of sixteen millions of square miles, are found in 

 the great Pacific Ocean are almost entirely formed of Coral. All the 

 north-east coast of New South Wales for upwards of one thousand 

 miles has a barrier reef of Coral. In the Indian Ocean the immense 

 chain of islands known as Cosmoledo, Saya de Malha, Chagos, the 

 Maldivas, and the Laccadives, are all formed of Coral, occupying a 

 space of nearly two thousand miles. The eastern coast of Africa, 

 from Mozambique nearly to Ajan, upwards of one thousand miles, is 

 an immense fringing reef of Coral. The coasts of the Bed Sea are 

 almost entirely Coral. Turning again to the Indian Ocean, we find 

 the south-west coast of Sumatra and the southern coast of Java 

 fringed with Coral. From the northern extremity of the Celebes to 

 the Philippine Islands, thence to Bashee, Patchow, and Loo Choo, 

 and back again into the China Sea, we find the Paracells and other 

 large islands all formed of Coral ; and, lastly, for I need not continue 

 the detail, the islands of Bermuda and the West Indies are sur- 

 rounded by fringing reefs of Coral. 



This rapid glance at the works carried on in the present day by 

 the polyp which forms the Coral, will give some slight idea of the 

 immense importance which this creature has possessed in fashioning 

 the form of the earth's surface. If we go below this and look at 

 the records of its working in time, our astonishment will be vastly 

 increased. Some of the most interesting problems connected with 

 the age of the world are solved by these records. Before, however, 

 I enter into this part of the subject, we will inquire who and what 

 this wonderful architect can be ? 



The answer is very simple. None other than a minute variety, or 

 near relation, of the sea-anemone, whose life history we will indite 

 in our next chapter. 



