original island was the top or crater' of a 

 volcano, like Oahu in the Hawaiian 

 islands, then after it had subsided and 

 the corals built reefs upon its summit, 

 we would have a belt of Coral Reefs sur- 

 rounding a body of water, or in other 

 words, an atoll. As the water about 

 some of the Coral Reefs ni the Pacific 

 Ocean is a thousand or more feet in 

 depth (a notable example being the Fiji 

 Islands, two thousand to three thousand 

 feet deep) this theory is the only one 

 which will give a satisfactory reason for 

 their form and position. Coral islands 

 are very numerous in the larger oceans, 

 there being about three hundred in the 

 Pacific Ocean, and a large number in the 

 Indian Ocean. The Laccadives and Mal- 

 dives, in the Indian Ocean, are said 

 by Dana to be the largest coral islands in 

 the world. The vicinity of Coral Reefs 



affords one of the best localities for the 

 study of marine life. Other animals take 

 advantage of the favorable conditions 

 under which the corals live, and make 

 their home either in or on the reefs. Mol- 

 lusks crawl over and bore into the corals, 

 sea anemones attach themselves to the 

 coral rock and gorgeously co-lored sea- 

 fans grow in the crevices between the 

 corals. Starfishes, sea urchins, clams, 

 worms, crabs, lobsters and a host of other 

 forms make up" the inhabitants of these 

 tiny worlds. Fishes of many colors swim 

 about over the reefs, and as Prof. Louis 

 Agassiz once said, "will compare with the 

 most beautiful assemblage of birds in 

 tropical climates." These animals are 

 constantly dying and their remains aid 

 in forming the solid parts of the reef. 

 Frank Collins Baker. 



AN APRIL FOOL. 



Little Hepatica lifted her head ; 

 "A glorious nap I've had," she said ; 

 And, raising herself, she rubbed her eyes, 

 "I wonder if really 'tis time to rise.." 



Her wintry garments she pushed aside. 

 But, with disappointment, almost cried ; 

 For, stretching her arms preparing to grow, 

 ^he found all about her a sheet of snow. 



So down she lay for another nap 

 In the snug embrace of Nature's lap ; 

 Took a wink, looked up, and all was clear : 

 The birds were singing far and near. 



Hepatica laughed as she donned her gown. 

 And said to the Sun, who was smiling down : 

 "D'ame Nature will keep me some time yet at school, 

 Till I learn to translate an April Fool." 



— Grace E. Harlow. 



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