2m 
LECTURE xrr. 
in long arms, which at last unite in a circle, 
^vithin which they include a portion of calm, un- 
troubled sea. On the opposite or windward side, 
the waves continually throw up fragments of 
corals, which, accumulating by degrees, form a 
mound against the billows; and on that part 
the sea is rendered gradually shallower; while, 
on the other side, immediately under the arms 
raised by the Zoophytes, the sea is of an astonish- 
ing depth; and not unfrequently, a part of the 
work remains open for the ingress and egress of 
the tide. In the coral banks themselves, sand is 
collected by the waves, affording soil and ali- 
ment for the seeds of shore plants brought thither 
by the sea; and these plants at length perisl> 
ing, gradually create and accumulate a vegetable 
mould. If by chance a Cocoa-Nut be carried by 
the sea to these spots, it germinates, and grows 
into a tall tree, bearing, and disseminating many 
nuts, some of which again germinating, soon form 
a palm-grove, affording shade to birds and other 
animals, and supplying navigators, driven to the 
place by stress of weather, with a grateful food 
and liquor. The bay included within the arms of 
the Zoophytes is a receptacle for those fishes 
