CCELENTERATA : ACTINOZOA. I37 



in the fact that the lagoon which they enclose does not contain 

 an island in its centre. 



If a coral-reef be observed — say a portion-of an encircling 

 barrier-reef — the following are the general phenomena which 

 may be noticed. The general shape of the reef is triangular, 

 presenting a steep and abrupt wall on the seaward side, and 

 having a long and gentle slope towards the land. The outer 

 margin of the reef is exposed to the beating of a tremendous 

 surf, whilst the soundings taken just outside the line of break- 

 ers always indicate great depths. The longer inner slope is 

 washed by the calm waters of the inner lagoon or channel. 

 The reef is only very partially composed of living corals, which 

 are found to occupy a mere strip, or zone, along the seaward 

 margin of the reef, whilst all above this, as well as all below, is 

 constituted by dead coral, or " coral-rock." 



As to the method in which such a reef is produced, the fol- 

 lowing facts have been established : — 



A. The coral-producing polypes cannot exist at levels higher 

 than extreme low water, exposure to the sun, even for a short 

 period, proving rapidly fatal. It follows from this that no coral- 

 reef can be raised above the level of the sea by the efforts of 

 its builders. The agency whereby reefs are raised above the 

 surface of the sea, is the denuding power of the breakers which 

 constantly fall upon their outer margins. These detach large 

 masses of dead coral, and heap them up in particular places, 

 until an island is gradually produced. The fragments thus 

 accumulated are Compacted together by the finer detritus of 

 the reef, and are cemented together by the percolation of water 

 holding carbonate of lime in solution. In this way the upper 

 surface of the reef, along a line of greater or less breadth, is 

 more or less completely raised above the level of high water. 

 It is obvious, however, that the reef might be entirely de- 

 stroyed by a continuation of this process — the sea being quite 

 competent to undo what it had done — unless some counteract- 

 ing force were brought into play. This counteracting force is 

 found in the vital activity of the living corals which form the 

 seaward margin of the reef, and which, by their growth, prevent 

 the sea from always destroying the masses of sediment which 

 it may have thrown up. 



B. The coral-producing polypes cannot exist at depths ex- 

 ceeding some 15 to 30 fathoms. It follows from this that no 

 coral-reef can be commenced upon a sea-bottom deeper than 

 about 30 fathoms. The question now arises — In what way 

 have reefs been- produced, which, as we have seen, rise out of 

 depths of 300 fathoms or more ? This question has been an-; 



