138 ANOTHER VISIT TO THE ANDAMANS 



end of the island, we noticed how the coral shore 

 between tide-marks was being consolidated by species 

 of Madrepora, Porites, and Pocillopora, all of which 

 were growing luxuriantly (though their colour was 

 pale) notwithstanding the fact that they were left dry 

 at the ebb-tide, and exposed for hours at a time to 

 the fierce rays of the sun. We saw great flat- topped 

 slabs of Porites, as much as 15 feet in diameter, dead 

 on top but in vigorous growth at the circumference, 

 some of them already nearly filling up, and promising 

 to ultimately obliterate, the tidal pools in which they 

 began their existence. 



Off the southern point of Great Coco is the little 

 islet of Jerry, which, indeed, is only separated from 

 its big sister at high water. Much coral shingle is, 

 however, accumulating in the channel between the 

 islands, and at one spot has even been thrown up a 

 foot or two above the flood, so as to form a low 

 bank, upon which, at the time of our visit, a miscel- 

 laneous flotsam and jetsam of coconuts, big leguminous 

 seeds, and other woody fruits had already found a 

 promising resting-place. This little eyot, now in the 

 throes of birth, may one day fill the channel between 

 the two islands, though a heavy storm may at any 

 time wash it clean away. 



Grey mullets swarm in the pools left by the tide ; 

 but they are by no means easy to catch, for they 

 seem to know the country, and when hemmed in they 



