It is well known that there is
much lime in salt water; it is also known that coral is composed of
lime. It is supposed that the polypes, or coral insects, have the power
of attracting this lime to their bodies; and with this material they
build their little cells or habitations. They choose the summit of a
volcano, or the top of a submarine mountain, as a foundation on which
to build; for it is found that they never work at any great depth below
the surface. On this they work; the polypes on the mountain top, of
course, reach the surface first, then those at the outer edges reach
the top sooner than the others between them and the centre, thus
forming the coral reef surrounding the lagoon of water and the central
island; after that the insects within the lagoon cease working. When
the surface of the water is reached, these myriads of wonderful
creatures die. Then birds visit the spot, and seeds are thus conveyed
thither, which take root, and spring up, and flourish. Thus are
commenced those coralline islets of which you have seen so many in
these seas. The reefs round the large islands are formed in a similar
manner. When we consider," added the missionary, "the smallness of the
architects used by our heavenly Father in order to form those lovely
and innumerable islands, we are filled with much of that feeling which
induced the ancient king to exclaim, 'How manifold, O Lord, are Thy
works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all.
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