RAISED CORAL REEFS. 225 



whole extent, thick tertiary calcareous formations 

 rest upon the flanks of the volcanic chasm, and 

 have been elevated along with it. These tertiary 

 formations at the two points where I was able to 

 examine them appeared to me to be raised coral- 

 reefs. These two points were Timor and Java, and 

 the distant aspect of both was precisely alike, and 

 exactly resembled the distant aspect of the rocks at 

 the intermediate points of Lombock, Sumbawa, and 

 Sandalwood Island. If, however, these are all 

 really raised coral-reefs, they do not belong to the 

 class which may be called independent coral-reefs, 

 but are probably " fringing-reefs " only. They are 

 more largely developed than usual on account of 

 the gradual elevation of the land, by which they 

 were enabled to add continually to their lateral ex- 

 tension, without suffering in these calm and sheltered 

 seas much denudation in the parts which were 

 successively protruded through the usually destruc- 

 tive plane of the sea level. The mingled soils of 

 these volcanic and calcareous rocks are some of the 

 richest in the world, and combined with the heat 

 and moisture of the climate produce a vegetation 

 unequalled for its luxuriance, affording the most 

 exquisite fruits, the most varied and abundant vege- 

 table foods, and being the native home of the rarest 

 and most valued spices. 



The northern and eastern coasts of Australia, 

 and the island of New Caledonia, seem in their 

 granitic rocks, and the former at least in its more 



VOL. II. Q 



