THE GEELONG NATURALIST. & y 
Though it cannot be stated precisely when these islands took 
their beginning, yet, from certain data, such as the formation of 
recent excrescences by volcanic agency, we may fairly infer that the 
same agency was the law through which the foundations were laid 
even of the large and mountainous portions of Polynesia. If the 
laws and theories of geologists be a correct guide, then many of 
these islands had an existence at a very remote period, and formed 
a part of the chaotic confusion, when the earth was without form 
and void, and darkness brooded over the mighty deep. There has 
been a conjecture that formerly the islands were immense sub- 
marine mountains, and that the bed of ocean being changed, they 
assumed their present elevated form, which, with the drift that was 
constantly accumulating, and with the vegetable matter that was 
decomposing, formed a rich soil, where the seeds, indigenous to the 
tropics, floating to the spot, took root, produced a most luxuriant 
vegetation, and finally became the abode of man. 
It is in connection with these islands that we. find the coral 
beds and the coral reefs; so numerous and extensive are they, that 
some have conceived the idea that the little coral insect laid the 
foundation and afterwards became the builder, and from this con- 
ception we have the term—“ coral islands.” Now there is no doubt 
that these little insects have a considerable part in the formation 
of the islands, but a foundation is first laid for them to work upon 
by means of volcanic agency; then comes the growth of coral; then 
its dissolution ; then upon the ruins of that a fresh growth, and all 
this process must extend over an immense space of time, as Lyell 
the celebrated geologist supposes that the ordinary growth of coral 
is not more than six inches in a century. The elegant lines of 
Montgomery on the coral insects and their wondrous works are 
most expressive :— 
Millions of millions thus, from age to age, 
With simplest skill, and toil unweariable, 
No moment and no movement unimproved ; 
Laid line on line, on terrace terrace spread, 
To swell the heightening, brightening, gradual mound 
By marvellous structure climbing towards the day. 
Each wrought alone, yet altogether wrought 
Unconscious, not unworthy instruments, 
By which a hand was rearing 
A new creation in the secret deep. 
T don’t know of any sight for the lover of nature more en- 
chanting than that of a coral bed, and I pity any one who can pass 
by such a sight devoid of the faculty of admiration. Imagine 
yourself seated in a boat, and looking over the side and down into 
the wondrous work below; the water as smooth as glass, and so 
