PREFACE. 



rpHE object in view in the preparation of this work has been 

 to present a popular account of " Corals and Coral 

 Islands, 1 ' without a sacrifice of scientific precision, or, on the 

 main topic, of fulness. Dry details and technicalities have 

 been avoided as far as was compatible with this restriction, 

 explanations in simple form have been freely added, and 

 numerous illustrations introduced, in order that the subject 

 may have its natural attractiveness to both classes of readers. 



I have opened the volume with a chapter on " Corals and 

 Coral makers," describing, under it, the forms and structure 

 of polyps ; how they live and grow and hold their own in a 

 world of enemies; how coral-making species secrete their 

 coral ; how they multiply, and develop their large clusters, 

 spreading leaves and branching forms, so much like those 

 among plants ; and in what seas they thrive, and under what 

 conditions produce the coral plantations. 



All this is prefatory to the following part of the volume on 

 Coral Reefs and Islands, which comprises a description of the 

 features and structure of these reef-formations, an account of 

 their mode of accumulation and increase, and a discussion of 



