OF SUMATRA, 15 



attempt to effect this, a considerable quantity of 

 coral might be transported from this coast, at no 

 great expence, and sunk, with stones and other sub- 

 stances, in seven, eight, or eleven fathoms of water. 

 In the course, probably, of forty or fifty years, an 

 island might be formed by the growth of this sub- 

 stance. This is a long period to look forward to for 

 the benefit of futurity ; but from what 1 have, from 

 my own observation, inserted in this paper, I am 

 convinced of the practicability and success of a 

 scheme, which many will treat as chimerical and vi- 

 sionary, while others, more thinking, will see the 

 utility of the design and probability of success; but 

 vhll be deterred by the difficulty and tediousness 

 which would attend the execution. 



REMARK BY THE PRESIDENT. 



It seems at length to be settled among naturalists, 

 that corals and corallines are the cretaceous habita- 

 tions of animals, and one of the links in the great 

 chain of nature. The idea of making islands for 

 the protection of ship,s at anchor, is very sublime; 

 but it might be feared, that very dangerous reefs of 

 coral would be formed, before an isle could appear 

 above the water: an artificial embankment of coral 

 might, perhaps, on some coasts, be a powerful barrier 

 against an encroachment of the sea, 



ON 



