224 CORAL AND ATOLLS 



The development of all coral structures therefore presents 

 no difficulties if the work of Mr. Gardiner is accepted, for the 

 choice of four different ways of building these strikingly 

 uniform formations is presented. 



Not only is a choice of four methods given, but the 

 question of the development of an atoll from a reef is made 

 simple because in one case " boring organisms " conveniently 

 " enter on its central part," and in another because it is 

 " obvious " that the corals grow faster round the periphery. 

 The situation is further made more satisfactory by incorporating 

 Darwin's theory with the ideas which Darwin deprecated, and 

 which are generally used in opposition to his conclusions. 



It will be noticed that in Method No. 3, the theory — which 

 is an extension of that of Murray — has been used to explain 

 the presence of barrier reefs, though I do not know if all 

 barrier reefs are supposed to arise in this way by supporters 

 of these theories. 



This particular method (No. 3) of making an atoll appears 

 to me to need for its acceptance an utter disregard for every- 

 thing that is at all probable in connection with the story of 

 the warfare of sea and land. The picture of the high island 

 towards the completion of the process, when, after having 

 stood resisting in a troubled sea, it so conveniently crumbles 

 to pieces within the calm of an encircling barrier reef, appears 

 to me to be contrary to all natural laws. 



What form of denudation and solution could be invoked 

 to remove a large oceanic island when its barrier reef of 

 soluble coral remains intact ? 



It must be a widespread and potent force, for " this 

 method is of quite wide occurrence in areas where elevated 

 coral reefs are found." 



In Method No. 1 the forces consist of " boring- orofanisms," 

 " sand- feeders," and " the solution of coral in sea water." It 

 cannot be " the solution of coral in sea water," for that would 

 remove the barrier and leave the island ; it cannot be wave or 

 current action, for the barrier has now protected the land ; — all 

 that remains is the " boring organisms " and " sand-feeders." 



