144 CORALS AND CORAL ISLANDS. 



IV. INNEK BEEFS. 



In the still waters of the inner channels or lagoons, when 

 of large extent, we find corals growing in their greatest per- 

 fection, and the richest views are presented to the explorer of 

 coral scenery. There are many regions — in the Feejees, ex- 

 amples are common — where a remote barrier encloses as pure 

 a sea as the ocean beyond ; and the greatest agitation is only 

 such as the wind may excite on a narrow lake or channel. 

 This condition gives rise to some important peculiarities of 

 structure in the inner reefs, in which the inner margin of the 

 barrier reef participates. 



In the general appearance of the surface, the inner gener- 

 ally much resemble the outer reefs. They are nearly flat, and, 

 though mostly bare of life, and much covered with coral sand, 

 there are seldom any large accumulations of coral debris. The 

 margin is generally less abrupt ; yet there is every variety of 

 slope, from the gradually inclined bed of corals to the bluff de- 

 clivity with its clinging clumps. In different parts, there are 

 many portions still under water at the lowest tides ;■ and here 

 (as well as upon the outer banks) fine fishing sport is afforded 

 the natives, who wade out at ebb tide with spears, pronged 

 sticks, and nets, to supply themselves with food. The lover of 

 the marvellous may find abundant gratification by joining in 

 such a ramble ; for besides living corals, there are myriads of 

 other beings which science alone has named, of various beauti- 

 ful forms and colors, as becomes the inhabitants of a coral world. 



Between the large reefs, which spread a broad surface, at 

 the water's edge, of lifeless coral rock, sometimes of great ex- 

 tent, there are other patches, still submerged, that are cov- 

 ered with growing corals throughout. They are of different 

 elevations under the water's surface ; and though at times but 



