. The ocean [microform]. Marine biology; Marine animals; Marine plants; Biologie marine; Faune marine; Flore marine. 274 THE OCEAN. matter, so that living coral is still near the surface; the superior vigour of the species inhabiting the sea- \7ard edge, however, has caused that edge to be more. gaoTioN OF Coral J^kAiiD. elevated than the interior, as at c?, d; so that the appearance is now that of a rocky isle, diminished in extent, surrounded by a reef at some distance, sepa- rated by the intervention of a shallow channel, e, e: this is exactly the appearance of Tahiti and the larger islands
. The ocean [microform]. Marine biology; Marine animals; Marine plants; Biologie marine; Faune marine; Flore marine. 274 THE OCEAN. matter, so that living coral is still near the surface; the superior vigour of the species inhabiting the sea- \7ard edge, however, has caused that edge to be more. gaoTioN OF Coral J^kAiiD. elevated than the interior, as at c?, d; so that the appearance is now that of a rocky isle, diminished in extent, surrounded by a reef at some distance, sepa- rated by the intervention of a shallow channel, e, e: this is exactly the appearance of Tahiti and the larger islands generally, as I shall mention more fully when I come to the volcanic formation. The subsi- dence still goes on; and, after a while, the water, 13, j3, is level with the summit of the island, which, of course, ifj now an island no longer; the growth of the coral has kept pace with the depression, and it is still at the surface, as. at «,«; the more slowly grow- ing species of the interior are still overflowed, and, as the island is submerged in the centre, the water, *,«, is no longer an annular channel, but a round lagoon; and thus we have an atoll, as at first described. The subsequent process of elevating and clothing the new islets iri a rapid one. Chamisso observes, " As soon Rs it has reached such a height that it remains almost dry at low-water at the time of ebb, the. Please note that these images are extracted from scanned page images that may have been digitally enhanced for readability - coloration and appearance of these illustrations may not perfectly resemble the original Gosse, Philip Henry, 1810-1888. Philadelphia : Parry & McMillan
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