602 
Badiata. 
and carpet the sterile soil with a luxuriant covering. 
As these decay, vegetable mould is gradually deposited ; 
cocoa-nuts, or some floating seeds, flung on shore by the 
impetuosity of the waves, take root, and soon begin to 
grow ; land-birds, attracted by the verdant appearance of 
the bank, fly thither in quest of provisions, and deposit 
the seeds of shrubs and trees ; every high tide and every 
gale adds some new treasure : the appearance of an island 
is gradually assumed, and at length man comes to take 
possession. 
CORAL POLYPI, MAGNIFIED. 
1. Coral of the A strea annanas. 4. Animal and dwelling of the Cellepora 
2. Animal of the Caryophyllia folitaria. hyaliva. 
3. Animal of the Tubipora mmica. 5. Animal and central axis of the Gorgonia 
patula. 
