Marvels of the Universe 1015 
Florida coast, thought that it would take over a thousand years for coral to grow from a depth of 
seven fathoms (forty-two feet) to the surface of the sea; but, of course, the rate would vary with 
the species, by the prevalence of currents, and possibly would be regulated by the supply of food. 
Darwin records that a ship which was sunk in the Persian Gulf had her copper bottom covered in 
the course of twenty months with a thickness of two feet of coral. The case of another sunken 
ship which was encrusted with coral showed only a growth of three inches in a year. On the other 
hand, some corals which were planted on the Madagascar coast were seen to have reached a height 
of nearly three feet in the short period of six months. 
VON DER DECKEN’S LOBELIA 
BY SIR HARRY JOHNSTON, G.C.M.G. 
Ir the classification of plants were based on purely external appearances no botanist would be daring 
enough to place in the same genus the little blue Lobelia of our gardens and the extraordinary 
developments of Lobelias to be found on the loftiest mountains of Tropical Africa and on lesser 
heights in South Africa; for these last, instead of being little herbs only a few inches high, 
assume the appearance of tree-lilies, of aloes, or of cacti, and may grow to a height above 
Photo dy} [W. Saville Kent. 
STAG’S-HORN CORAL. 
The popular name covers many distinct species of Madrepores and other Corals. The rasp-like character of the surface 
is due to the mouths of the numerous tubes or cells in which the polyps dwelt. 
