GROWTH OF ZOOPHYTES. 93 
and by means of the powers of animal life, bones, shells, and corals 
alike are formed. 
The origin of the lime in solution throughout the ocean is an 
inquiry foreign to our present subject. It is sufficient here to show 
that this lime, whatever its source, is adequate to explain all the 
results under consideration. 
3. CAUSES INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF CORAL ZOOPHYTES. 
Marine zoophytes generally require pure ocean water, and they 
abound especially in the broad inner channels among the reefs, or 
the large lagoons, and in the shallow waters outside of the breakers. 
In these channels at the Feejee Group, there are species of every 
genus, and they grow in the greatest luxuriance, exceeding in pro- 
fusion and display, all that was elsewhere seen in the Pacific. Here 
are found the huge Astrea domes, the Meandrinas, Porites, the leafy 
clusters of the Meruline, numerous Madrepores ;—indeed nearly all 
the Pacific corals described in the Report on Zoophytes, exclusive of 
those from the T'ahitian and Hawaiian Islands, were obtained from 
the inner reefs of the Feejees. It is therefore an assertion wide from 
the fact, that only smaller corals grow in the lagoons and channels, 
though true of lagoons and channels of small size, or of such parts of 
the larger channels as immediately adjoin the mouths of fresh-water 
streams. 
There are undoubtedly species especially fitted for the open ocean ; 
but as peculiar conveniences are required for the collection of zoo- 
phytes outside of the line of breakers, we have not the facts neces- 
sary for a list of such species. From the very abundant masses of 
Astreas, Meandrinas, Porites, and Madrepores thrown up by the 
waves on the exposed reefs, it was evident that these genera were 
well represented in the outer seas.* In the Paumotus, the single 
individuals of Porites lying upon the shores were at times six or eight 
feet in diameter. Around the Duke of York’s Island the bottom was 
observed to be covered with small branching and foliaceous Madre- 
pores, (Manopore,) as delicate as any of the species in more protected 
waters. 
* Porites and Millepore, according to Mr. Darwin, prevail on the surf-reef of Keeling’s 
Island. Chamisso states that the large Astreeas live and grow in the breakers. 
24 
