1)0 THi; VICTORIAN NATURALIST. 



Pacific, and yet not be able to create a single island. The Infinite 

 Intelligence magnifies His power by utilizing microscopic infinitesi- 

 mals. At first, below the tossings of the mighty billows 

 they grow and multiply. And as unnmnbered millions they 

 continuously increase and instinctively exist to the one end and 

 purpose. As atoms are secreted their capacity enlarges. As years 

 roll by, their strength increases. Until the minute polypes tower 

 their heads, and over the graves of myriads of the dead, bid defiance 

 to the waves of the sea. Commenced in weakness they abide in 

 strength. As the ocean bed sinks, they make haste to z'ise to the 

 low water mark. Until in one place they become mighty protective 

 barriers, outside the ancient volcano. In another they form low 

 flats and coral sands. And now for miles and miles are stretched 

 before ns the white foam breakers. These are a certain sign 

 of rocks ahead. They are the barrier reefs protecting "ISFew 

 Caledonia. The waves ever rushing on would, as in Old England 

 and Australia, wear away the land from the coasts. But it 

 is not so to be, the barrier reef bids defiance. Without all is 

 fight and fury. Within all is calm and placid. The waters are 

 stayed and tossed back again. The winds must leap over as with a 

 truce. We sail past. The sun shines. Nature smiles. Rainbows 

 arcli the coral reefs. Brilliant hues of golden, j^urple and green 

 festoon the feathery spray. Snow-white and dove-like birds skim 

 over the water>. The thunder of the battle rages. The powers of 

 IsTature struggle in one unceasing strife. And all to the one end. 

 All illustrate the one purpose. The unity of the design. At a 

 respectful distance we skirt the coral reef. At length there is a 

 break in the barrier. The ocean with all its force of waters could 

 not break down the reef. The polyps, grown within the shelter of 

 its own breast, bid defiance to the breakers. Islands surrounded by 

 an impenetrable reef would prove a flaw in the designing. These 

 lovely ocean resting places would be almost useless, excepting, and 

 that at great risks, to primitive man. And so a new factor comes in. 

 A stream of fresh water pours from the land, kills the coral zoophytes, 

 and prevents fresh growths, and thus opens a channel to the ocean. 

 We pass through the channel, and under the care of a French 

 pilot, make ^SToumea. 



Our time here was limited. I made the best of it by rising at 5 

 o'clock in the morning. Thus, I was ready to avail myself of the 

 first rays of the morning sun at 6 o'clock. In the topics, all the 

 year round, ths daylight lasts from 6 in the morning to G in the 

 evening. Proportionately as we travel Korth or South, the days 

 lengthen and the nights shorten, or vice versa, according to the 

 season of the year. In Lenvick, in the Shetland Islands, at the 

 height of Summer the night is only about one hour's duration. But 

 in Winter, darkness sets in at 1 u'clock in the afternoon of the 

 shortest day. 



