AustLit

Author's note: 'It is a well known fact, that many of the islands, and most of the extensive reefs, in the intertropical regions of the great Pacific Ocean, have been the work of the coral insect, an animalaculae scarcely visible to the naked eye. The island of Tonga Taboo, one of the Friendly Islands, which at present contains upwards of 10,000 inhabitants, is a specimen of the architectural abilities of this most wonderful of Nature's agents. It is a complete mass of coral, and is as level as a bowling-green. On a calm evening, myriads of this animalculae float on the surface of the water, along the whole extent of the reefs they are employed in constructing, communicating to the sea a beautiful purple colour. When disturbed, however, they return to their well built cabins under water, and the sea resumes its caerulean hue. Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty! in wisdom hast thou made them all!'