,,coral ,,& ,,coral ,,reefs  by ,?omas  
,h4 ,huxley  #a   ,,! subject ^u :i* ,i 
wi% to address y to-night is ! /ructure 
& orig9 ( ,coral & ,coral ,reefs4 ,"u ! 
head ( coral !re are includ$ two v      
diff]5t ?+s2 "o ( !m is t sub/ance :i*  
,i imag9e a great numb] ( u h *amp$ :5  
we 7 v mu* y\ng] ?an we are n[1--!      
common r$ coral1 :i* is us$ s mu*1 z y  
"k1 = ! edification & ! delectation (   
*ildr5 ( t5d] ye>s1 & is also employ$ = 
! purposes ( ornam5t = ^? :o are mu*    
old]1 & z "s ?9k might "k bett]4 ,! o!r 
k9d ( coral is a v diff]5t sub/ance2 x  
may = di/9ction's sake be call$ ! :ite  
coral2 x is a mat]ial :i* mo/ assur$ly n
 ! h>de/-he>t$ ( baby f>m]s w\ld give to
 a baby to *ew1 & x is a sub/ance :i* is
 to be se5 only 9 ! cab9ets ( curi\s    
p]sons1 or 9 museums1 or1 may be1 ov] ! 
mantelpieces ( sea-f>+ m54 ,b al?\gh !  
r$ coral1 z ,i h m5tion$ to y1 has      
access to ! v be/ society2 & al?\gh !   
:ite coral is comp>atively a despis$    
product1 yet 9 ?is1 z 9 _m o!r cases1 ! 

humbl] ?+ is 9 reality ! great]2 ! am\nt
 ( "w :i* is done 9 ! _w by ! :ite coral
 be+ absolutely inf9ite comp>$ ) t      
effect$ by its delicate & pamp]$        
namesake4 ,ea* ( ^! sub/ances1 ! :ite   
coral & ! r$1 h[ev]1 has a relation%ip  
to ! o!r4 ,!y are1 9 a zoological s5se1 
c\s9s1 ea* ( !m be+ =m$ by ! same k9d ( 
animals 9 :at is sub/antially ! same    
way4 ,ea* ( ^! bodies is1 9 fact1 ! h>d 
skeleton ( a v curi\s & a v simple      
animal1 m comp>able to ! bones ( su*    
animals z ourselves ?an to ! %ells (    
oy/]s or creatures ( t k9d2 = x is !    
h>d5+ ( ! int]nal tissue ( ! creature1 (
 its int]nal sub/ance1 by ! deposit 9 ! 
body ( a mat]ial :i* is exce$+ly common1
 n only 9 fre% b 9 sea wat]1 & :i* is   
specially abundant 9 ^? wat]s :i* we "k 
z h>d1 ^? wat]s1 = example1 :i* leave a 
fur ^u ! bottom ( a tea-kettle4 ,?is fur
 is c>bonate ( lime1 ! same sort (      
sub/ance z lime/one & *alk4 ,t mat]ial  
is conta9$ 9 solution 9 sea wat]1 & x is
 out ( ! sea wat] 9 :i* ^! coral        

creatures live t !y get ! lime :i* is   
ne$$ = ! =m+ ( _! h>d skeleton4  ,b n[  
:at mann] ( creatures are ^! :i* =m ^!  
h>d skeletons8 ,i d>e say t 9 ^! days ( 
keep+ aqu>ia1 ( locomotion to !         
sea-side1 mo/ ( ^? :om ,i am address+   
may h se5 "o ( ^? creatures :i* us$ to  
be kn[n z ! sea anemone1 receiv+ t "n on
 acc\nt ( its g5]al resemblance1 9 a    
r\gh sort ( way1 to ! fl[] :i* is kn[n z
 ! anemone2 b be+ a ?+ :i* lives 9 !    
sea1 x 0 qualifi$ z ! sea anemone4      
,well1 !n1 y mu/ suppose a body %ap$ l a
 %ort cyl9d]1 ! top cut (f1 & 9 ! top a 
hole r oval ?an r\nd4 ,all r\nd ?is     
ap]ture1 :i* is ! m\?1 imag9e t !re are 
plac$ a numb] ( feel]s =m+ a circle4 ,! 
cavity ( ! m\? leads into a sort (      
/oma*1 :i* is v unlike ^? ( ! high]     
animals1 9 ! circum/ance t x op5s at !  
l[] end into a cavity ( ! body1 & all ! 
dige/$ matt]1 conv]t$ into n\ri%m5t1 is 
?us di/ribut$ ?r\gh ! re/ ( ! body4 ,t  
is ! g5]al /ructure ( "o ( ^! sea       
anemones4 ,if y t\* x x contracts       

imm$iately into a heap4 ,x looks at fir/
 q l a fl[] 9 ! sea1 b if y t\* x y f9d 
t x exhibits all ! peculi>ities ( a liv+
 animal2 & if any?+ :i* c s]ve z its    
prey comes ne> its t5tacles1 x closes !m
 r\nd x & sucks ! mat]ial into its /oma*
 & !re dige/s x & turns x to ! acc\nt ( 
its own body4  ,^! creatures are v      
voraci\s1 & n at all p>ticul> :at !y    
seize2 & sometimes x may be t !y lay    
hold ( a %ellfi% :i* is f> too big to be
 pack$ into t int]ior cavity1 &1 (      
c\rse1 9 any ord9>y animal a proce$+ (  
?is k9d w\ld give rise to a v sev]e fit 
( indige/ion4 ,b ?is is by no means !   
case 9 ! sea anemone1 because :5        
dige/ive difficulties ( ?is k9d arise he
 gets out ( !m by splitt+ himself 9 two2
 & !n ea* half builds itself up into a  
fre% creature1 & y h two polypes :]e !re
 0 previ\sly "o1 & ! bone :i* /uck 9 !  
way ly+ betwe5 !m6 ,n only c ^!         
creatures multiply 9 ?is fa%ion1 b !y c 
multiply by buds4 ,a bud w gr[ out ( !  
side ( ! body 7,i am n speak+ ( ! common

 sea anemone1 b ( alli$ creatures7 j l !
 bud ( a plant1 & t w fa%ion itself into
 a creature j l ! p>5t4 ,!re are "s ( !m
 9 :i* ^! buds rema9 connect$ toge!r1 & 
y w soon see :at w\ld be ! result ( t4  
,if ,i make a bud gr[ out "h1 & ano!r on
 ! opposite side1 & ea* fa%ions itself  
into a new polype1 ! practical effect w 
be t be=e long y w see a s+le polype    
conv]t$ into a sort ( tree or bu% (     
polypes4 ,& ^! w all rema9 associat$    
toge!r1 l a k9d ( co-op]ative /ore1 :i* 
is a ?+ ,i believe y und]/& v well      
"h1--ea* m\? w help to fe$ ! body & ea* 
"p ( ! body help to support ! multif>i\s
 m\?s4 ,i ?9k t is z good an example ( a
 zoological co-op]ative /ore z y c well 
h4 ,su* are ^! wond]ful creatures4 ,b !y
 are capable n only ( multiply+ 9 ?is   
way1 b 9 o!r ways1 by hav+ a m ord9>y & 
regul> k9d ( (fspr+4 ,little eggs are   
hat*$ & ! "y are pass$ out by ! way ( ! 
m\?1 & !y g swimm+ ab\t z little oval   
bodies cov]$ ) a v curi\s k9d ( hairlike
 processes4 ,ea* ( ^! processes is      

capable ( /rik+ wat] l an o>2 & !       
consequ5ce is t ! "y creature is        
propell$ ?r\gh ! wat]4 ,s t y h ! "y    
polype float+ ab\t 9 ?is fa%ion1 cov]$  
by its 'vibratile cilia'1 z ^! long     
filam5ts1 :i* are capable ( vibration   
are t]m$4 ,& ?us1 al?\gh ! polype itself
 may be a fix$ creature unable to move  
ab\t1 x is able to spread its (fspr+ ov]
 great areas4 ,= ^! creatures n only    
propel !mselves1 b :ile swimm+ ab\t 9 ! 
sea = _m h\rs1 or p]haps days1 x w be   
obvi\s t !y mu/ be c>ri$ hi!r & ?i!r by 
! curr5ts ( ! sea1 :i* n unfrequ5tly    
move at ! rate ( "o or two miles an h\r4
 ,?us1 9 ! c\rse ( a few days1 ! (fspr+ 
( ?is /ation>y creature may be c>ri$ to 
a v great di/ance f its p>5t2 & hav+ be5
 s c>ri$ x loses ^! organs by :i* x is  
propell$1 & settles d[n ^u ! bottom ( ! 
sea & gr[s up aga9 into ! =m & condition
 ( its p>5ts4 ,s t if y suppose a s+le  
polype ( ?is k9d settl$ ^u ! bottom ( ! 
sea1 x may by ^! v>i\s me?ods--t is to  
say1 by cutt+ itself 9 two1 :i* we call 

fission1 or by budd+2 or by s5d+ out ^! 
swimm+ embryos1--multiply itself to an  
enorm\s ext5t1 & give rise to ?\s&s1 or 
millions1 ( prog5y 9 a comp>atively %ort
 "t2 & ^! ?\s&s1 or millions1 ( prog5y  
may cov] a v l>ge surface ( ! sea       
bottom2 9 fact1 y w readily p]ceive t1  
give !m "t1 & !re is no limit to !      
surface :i* !y may cov]4  ,hav+ und]/ood
 ?us f> ! g5]al nature ( ^! polypes1 :i*
 are ! fabricators bo? ( ! r$ & :ite    
coral1 let u consid] a little m         
p>ticul>ly h[ ! skeletons ( ! r$ coral &
 ( ! :ite coral are =m$4 ,! r$ coral    
polype p]*es ^u ! sea bottom1 x !n gr[s 
up into a sort ( /em1 & out ( t /em !re 
gr[ bran*es1 ea* ( :i* has its own      
polypes2 & ?us y h a k9d ( tree =m$1 e  
bran* ( ! tree t]m9at$ by its polype4 ,x
 is a tree1 b at ! end ( ! bran*es !re  
are op5 m\?s ( polypes in/ead ( fl[]s4  
,?us !re is a common s(t body connect+ !
 :ole1 & z x gr[s up ! s(t body deposits
 9 its int]ior a quantity ( c>bonate (  
lime1 :i* acquires a beautiful r$ or    

fle% col\r1 & =ms a k9d ( /em runn+     
?r\gh ! :ole1 & x is t /em :i* is ! r$  
coral4 ,! r$ coral gr[s pr9cipally at ! 
bottom ( ! ,m$it]ranean ,sea1 at v great
 dep?s1 & ! coral fi%]s1 :o are v       
adv5tur\s seam51 take _! drag nets1 ( a 
peculi> k9d1 r\ghly made1 b effici5t =  
_! purpose1 & drag !m along ! bottom ( !
 sea to cat* ! bran*es ( ! r$ coral1 :i*
 become entangl$ & are ?us br\ght up to 
! surface4 ,!y are !n all[$ to putrefy1 
9 ord] to get rid ( ! animal matt]1 & ! 
r$ coral is ! skeleton t is left4  ,9 ! 
case ( ! :ite coral1 ! skeleton is m    
complete4 ,9 ! r$ coral1 ! skeleton     
belongs to ! :ole2 9 ! :ite coral !re is
 a special skeleton = e "o ( ^! polypes 
9 addition to t = ! :ole body4 ,!re is a
 skeleton =m$ 9 ! body ( ea* ( !m1 l a  
cup divid$ by a numb] ( radiat+         
p>titions t[>ds ! outside2 & t cup is   
=m$ ( c>bonate ( lime1 only n /a9$ r$1 z
 9 ! case ( ! r$ coral4 ,& all ^! cups  
are jo9$ toge!r into a common bran*1 !  
result ( :i* is ! =mation ( a beautiful 

coral tree4 ,?is is a great mass (      
madrepore1 & 9 ! liv+ /ate e "o ( ! ends
 ( ^! bran*es 0 t]m9at$ by a beautiful  
little polype1 l a sea anemone1 & all ! 
skeleton 0 cov]$ by a s(t body :i* unit$
 ! polypes toge!r4 ,y mu/ und]/& t all  
?is skeleton has be5 =m$ 9 ! int]ior ( !
 body1 to suit ! bran*$ body ( ! polype 
mass1 & t x is z mu* its skeleton z our 
own bones are our skeleton4 ,9 ?is next 
coral ! creature :i* has =m$ ! skeleton 
has divid$ itself z x grew1 &           
consequ5tly has =m$ a great expansion2 b
 scatt]$ all ov] ?is surface !re 7      
polype bodies l ^? ,i previ\sly         
describ$4 ,aga91 :5 ?is great cup 0     
alive1 ! :ole surface 0 cov]$ ) a       
beautiful body ^u :i* 7 set innum]able  
small polype fl[]s1 if we may s call !m1
 (t5 brilliantly col\r$2 & ! :ole cup 0 
built up 9 ! same fa%ion by ! deposit ( 
c>bonate ( lime 9 ! int]ior ( ! comb9$  
polype body1 =m$ by budd+ & by fission 9
 ! way ,i describ$4 ,y w p]ceive t !re  
is no necess>y limit to ?is process4    

,!re is no reason :y we %\ld n h coral  
?ree or f\r times z big2 & !re are c]ta9
 creatures ( ?is k9d t d fabricate v    
l>ge masses1 or half sph]es sev]al feet 
9 diamet]4 ,?us ! activity ( ^! animals 
9 sep>at+ c>bonate ( lime f ! sea &     
build+ x up into def9ite %apes is v     
consid]able inde$4  ,n[ ,i ?9k ,i h said
 suffici5t--z mu* z ,i c )\t tak+ y into
 te*nical details1 ( ! g5]al nature ( ^!
 creatures :i* =m coral4 ,! animals :i* 
=m coral are scatt]$ ov] ! seas ( all   
c\ntries 9 ! _w4 ,! r$ coral is         
comp>atively limit$1 b ! polypes :i* =m 
! :ite coral are widely scatt]$4 ,!re   
are "s ( !m :i* rema9 s+le1 or :i* give 
rise to only small accumulations2 & !   
skeletons ( ^!1 z !y die1 accumulate ^u 
! bottom ( ! sea1 b !y d n come to mu*2 
!y are wa%$ ab\t & d n adh]e toge!r1 b  
become mix$ up ) ! mud ( ! sea4 ,b !re  
are c]ta9 p>ts ( ! _w 9 :i* ! coral     
polypes :i* live & gr[ are ( a k9d :i*  
rema91 adh]e toge!r1 & =m great masses4 
,!y diff] f ! ord9>y polypes j 9 ! same 

way z ^? plants :i* =m a peat-bog or    
mead[-turf diff] f ord9>y plants4 ,!y h 
a habit ( gr[+ toge!r 9 masses 9 ! same 
place2 !y are :at we call greg>i\s ?+s2 
& ! consequ5ce ( ?is is1 t z !y die &   
leave _! skeletons1 ^? skeletons =m a   
consid]able solid aggregation at !      
bottom ( ! sea1 & o!r polypes p]* ^u !m1
 & beg9 build+ ^u !m1 & s by degrees a  
great mass is =m$4 ,& j z we "k !re are 
"s anci5t cities 9 :i* y h a ,briti%    
city1 & ov] t ! f\ndations ( a ,roman   
city2 & ov] t a ,saxon city1 & ov] t    
aga9 a mod]n city1 s 9 ^! localities (  
:i* ,i am speak+1 y h ! accumulations ( 
! f\ndations ( ! h\ses1 if ,i may use ! 
t]m1 ( nation aft] nation ( ^! coral    
polypes2 & ^! accumulations may cov] a v
 consid]able space1 & may rise 9 ! c\rse
 ( "t f ! bottom to ! surface ( ! sea4  
,m>9]s h a "n :i* !y apply to all sorts 
( ob/acles consi/+ ( h>d & rocky matt]  
:i* comes 9 _! way 9 ! c\rse ( _!       
navigation2 !y call su* ob/acles reefs1 
& !y h long be5 9 ! habit ( call+ !     

p>ticul> k9d ( reef1 :i* is =m$ by !    
accumulation ( ! skeletons ( dead       
corals1 by ! "n ( coral reefs1 !re=e1 ^?
 p>ts ( ! _w 9 :i* ^! accumulations     
occur h be5 t]m$ by !m coral reef areas1
 or regions 9 :i* coral reefs are f\nd4 
,!re is a v notable example ( a simple  
coral reef ab\t ! isl& ( ,mauritius1 :i*
 ,i d>e say y all "k1 lies 9 ! middle ( 
! ,indian ,ocean4 ,x is a v consid]able 
& beautiful isl&1 & is surr\nd$ on all  
sides by a mass ( coral1 :i* has be5 =m$
 9 ! way ,i h describ$2 s t if y c\ld   
get ^u ! top ( "o ( ! peaks ( ! isl&1 & 
look d[n ^u ! ,indian ,ocean1 y w\ld see
 t ! bea* r\nd ! ,isl& 0 cont9u$ outw>d 
by a k9d ( %all[ t]race1 :i* is cov]$ by
 ! sea1 & :]e ! sea is q %all[2 & at a  
di/ance v>y+ f ?ree-qu>t]s ( a mile to a
 mile & a half f ! prop] bea*1 y w\ld   
see a l9e ( foam or surf :i* looks mo/  
beautiful 9 contra/ ) ! bright gre5 wat]
 9 ! inside1 & ! deep blue ( ! sea      
beyond4 ,t l9e ( surf indicates ! po9t  
at :i* ! wat]s ( ! ocean are break+ ^u !

 coral reef :i* surr\nds ! isl&4 ,y see 
x sweep r\nd ! isl& ^u all sides1 except
 :]e a riv] may *ance to come d[n1 & t  
always makes a gap 9 ! %ore4  ,!re are  
two or ?ree po9ts :i* ,i wi% to br+     
cle>ly be=e y\r notice ab\t su* a reef z
 ?is4 ,9 ! fir/ place1 y p]ceive x =ms a
 k9d ( fr+e r\nd ! isl&1 & is !re=e     
call$ a fr++ reef4 ,9 ! next place1 if y
 g out 9 a boat1 & take s\nd+s at ! edge
 ( ! reef1 y f9d t ! dep? ( ! wat] is n 
m ?an f #bj to #be fa?oms--t is ab\t    
#abj to #aej feet4 ,outside t po9t y    
come to ! natural sea bottom2 b all     
inside t dep? is coral1 built up f !    
bottom by ! accumulation ( ! skeletons (
 innum]able g5]ations ( coral polypes4  
,s t y see ! coral =ms a v consid]able  
ramp>t r\nd ! isl&4 ,:at ! exact        
circumf]5ce may be ,i d n rememb]1 b x  
_c be less ?an #ajj miles1 & ! outw>d   
height ( ?is wall ( coral rock n[h]e    
am\nts to less ?an ab\t #ajj or #aej    
feet4  ,:5 ! outw>d face ( ! reef is    
exam9$1 y f9d t ! upp] edge1 :i* is     

expos$ to ! wa% ( ! sea1 & all ! seaw>d 
face1 is cov]$ ) ^? liv+ plant-l fl[]s  
:i* ,i h describ$ to y4 ,!y are ! coral 
polypes :i* gr[1 fl\ri%1 & add to ! mass
 ( calc>e\s matt] :i* already =ms !     
reef4 ,b t[>ds ! l[] "p ( ! reef1 at a  
dep? ( ab\t #abj feet1 ^! creatures are 
less active1 & few] ( !m at "w2 & at    
great] dep?s ?an t y f9d no liv+ coral  
polype at all2 & x may be laid d[n z a  
rule1 d]iv$ f v ext5sive obs]vation1 t  
^! reef-build+ corals _c live 9 a great]
 dep? ( wat] ?an ab\t #abj to #aej feet4
 ,i beg y to recollect t fact1 because x
 is "o ,i %all h to come back to by &   
by1 & to %[ to :at v curi\s consequ5ces 
t rule leads4 ,well !n1 com+ back to !  
m>g9 ( ! reef1 y f9d t "p ( x :i* lies j
 )9 ! surf to be coat$ by a v curi\s    
plant1 a sort ( seawe$1 :i* conta9s 9   
its sub/ance a v great deal ( c>bonate (
 lime1 & looks almo/ l rock2 ?is is :at 
is call$ ! nulli pore4 ,m t[>ds ! l&1 we
 come to ! %all[ wat] ^u ! inside ( !   
reef1 :i* has a p>ticul> "n1 d]iv$ f !  

,spani% or ! ,portuguese--x is call$ a  
lagoon1 or lake4 ,9 ?is lagoon !re is   
comp>atively little liv+ coral2 ! bottom
 ( x is =m$ ( coral mud4 ,if we p\nd$   
?is coral 9 wat]1 x w\ld be conv]t$ into
 calc>e\s mud1 & ! waves dur+ /orms d = 
! coral skeletons exactly :at we might d
 = ?is coral 9 a mort>2 ! waves te> (f  
great fragm5ts & cru% !m ) prodigi\s    
=ce1 until !y are gr\nd into ! m]e/     
p[d]1 & t p[d] is wa%$ into ! int]ior ( 
! lagoon1 & =ms a muddy coat+ at !      
bottom4 ,beside t !re are a great _m    
animals t prey ^u ! coral--fi%es1 worms1
 & creatures ( t k9d1 & all ^!1 by _!   
dige/ive processes1 r$uce ! coral to !  
same /ate1 & contribute a v important   
elem5t to ?is f9e mud4 ,! liv+ coral    
f\nd 9 ! lagoon1 is n ! reef build+     
coral2 x does n give rise to ! same     
massive skeletons4 ,z y g 9 a boat ov]  
^! %all[ pools1 y see ^! beautiful ?+s1 
col\r$ r$1 blue1 gre51 & all col\rs1    
build+ _! h\ses2 b ^! are m]e t5em5ts1 &
 n to be comp>$ 9 magnitude & importance

 to ! masses :i* are built by !         
reef-build]s !mselves4 ,n[ su* a        
/ructure z ?is is :at is t]m$ a fr++    
reef4 ,y meet ) fr++ reefs ( ?is k9d n  
only 9 ! ,mauritius1 b 9 a numb] ( o!r  
p>ts ( ! _w4 ,if ^! 7 ! only reefs to be
 se5 any:]e1 ! problem ( ! =mation (    
coral reefs w\ld nev] h be5 a difficult 
"o4 ,no?+ c be easi] ?an to und]/& h[   
!re mu/ h be5 a "t :5 ! coral polypes   
came & settl$ on ! %ores ( ?is isl&1    
ev]y:]e )9 ! #bj to #be fa?om l9e1 & h[1
 hav+ p]*$ !re1 !y gradually grew until 
!y built up ! reef4  ,b ^! are by no    
means ! only sort ( coral reefs 9 ! _w2 
on ! contr>y1 !re are v l>ge areas1 n   
only ( ! ,indian ocean1 b ( ! ,pacific1 
9 :i* _m _m ?\s&s ( squ>e miles are     
cov]$ ei!r ) a peculi> k9d ( reef1 :i*  
is call$ ! encircl+ reef1 or by a /ill m
 curi\s reef :i* goes by ! "n ( ! atoll4
 ,!re is a v good picture1 :i* ,pr(essor
 ,roscoe has be5 k9d en\gh to prep>e =  
me1 ( "o ( ^! atolls1 :i* w enable y to 
=m a notion ( x z a l&scape4 ,y h 9 !   

=egr\nd ! wat]s ( ! ,pacific4 ,y mu/    
fancy y\rself 9 ! middle ( ! great      
ocean1 & y w p]ceive t !re is an almo/  
circul> isl&1 ) a l[ bea*1 :i* is =m$   
entirely ( coral s&2 gr[+ ^u t bea* y h 
vegetation1 :i* takes1 ( c\rse1 ! %ape (
 ! circul> l&2 & !n1 9 ! int]ior ( !    
circle1 !re is a pool ( wat]1 :i* is n v
 deep--probably 9 ?is case n m ?an eight
 or n9e fa?oms--& :i* =ms a /range &    
beautiful contra/ to ! deep blue wat]   
outside4 ,?is circul> isl&1 or atoll1 ) 
a lagoon 9 ! middle1 is n a complete    
circle2 ^u "o side ( x !re is a break1  
exactly l ! entrance into a dock2 &1 z a
 matt] ( c\rse1 ^! circul> islets1 or   
atolls1 =m mo/ effici5t break-wat]s1 =  
if y c only get inside y\r %ip is 9     
p]fect safety1 ) admirable an*orage 9 ! 
int]ior4 ,if ! %ip 7 ly+ )9 a mile ( t  
bea*1 ! wat] w\ld be "o or two ?\s& feet
 deep2 !re=e1 a section ( t atoll1 ) !  
s\nd+s z deep z ?is all r\nd1 w\ld give 
y ! notion ( a great cone1 cut (f at !  
top1 & ) a %all[ cup 9 ! middle ( x4    

,n[1 :at a v s+ul> fact ?is is1 t we    
%\ld h ris+ f ! bottom ( ! deep ocean a 
great pyramid1 beside :i* all human     
pyramids s9k into ! mo/ utt]            
insignificance6 ,^! s+ul> coral lime/one
 /ructures are v beautiful1 especially  
:5 cr[n$ ) cocoa-nut trees4 ,!re y see !
 long l9e ( l&1 cov]$ )                 
vegetation--cocoa-nut trees--& y h ! sea
 ^u ! inn] & out] sides1 ) a vessel v   
com=tably rid+ at an*or4 ,t is "o ( !   
rem>kable =ms ( reef 9 ! ,pacific4      
,ano!r is a sort ( half-way h\se1 betwe5
 ! atoll & ! fr++ reef2 x is :at is     
call$ an encircl+ reef4 ,9 ?is case y   
see an ,isl& ris+ out ( ! sea1 & at two 
or ?ree miles di/ance1 or m1 & sep>at$  
by a deep *annel1 :i* may be eight to   
twelve fa?oms deep1 !re is a reef1 :i*  
encircles x l a great girdle2 & outside 
t aga9 ! wat] is "o or two ?\s& feet    
deep4 ,i sp5t ?ree or f\r ye>s ( my life
 9 cruis+ ab\t a modification ( "o ( ^! 
encircl+ reefs1 call$ a b>ri] reef1 ^u !
 ea/ coa/ ( ,au/ralia--"o ( ! mo/       

wond]ful accumulations ( coral rock 9 ! 
_w4 ,x is ab\t #a1ajj miles long1 &     
v>ies 9 wid? f "o or two to _m miles4 ,x
 is sep>at$ f ! coa/ ( ,au/ralia by a   
*annel ( ab\t #be fa?oms deep2 :ile     
outside1 look+ t[>d ,am]ica1 ! wat] is  
two or ?ree ?\s& feet deep at a mile f !
 edge ( ! reef4 ,?is is an accumulation 
( lime/one rock1 built up by corals1 to 
:i* we h no p>allel any:]e else4 ,imag9e
 to y\rself a heap ( ?is mat]ial m ?an  
"o ?\s& miles long1 & sev]al miles wide4
 ,t is a b>ri] reef2 b a b>ri] reef is  
m]ely z x 7 a fragm5t ( an encircl+ reef
 runn+ p>allel to ! coa/ ( a great      
cont95t4  ,i told y t ! polypes :i*     
built ^! reefs 7 n able to live at a    
great] dep? ?an #bj to #be fa?oms (     
wat]2 & t is ! reason :y ! fr++ reef    
goes no f>!r f ! l& ?an x does4 ,& = !  
same reason1 if ! ,pacific c\ld be laid 
b>e we %\ld h a mo/ s+ul> spectacle4    
,!re w\ld be a numb] ( m\nta9s )        
truncat$ tops scatt]$ ov] x1 & ^?       
m\nta9s w\ld h an appe>ance j ! v rev]se

 ( t pres5t$ by ! m\nta9s we see on     
%ore4 ,y "k t ! m\nta9s on %ore are     
cov]$ ) vegetation at _! bases1 :ile _! 
tops are b>r5 or cov]$ ) sn[2 b ^!      
m\nta9s w\ld be p]fectly b>e at _!      
bases1 & all r\nd _! tops !y w\ld be    
cov]$ ) a beautiful vegetation ( coral  
polypes4 ,& n only w\ld ?is be ! case1 b
 we %\ld f9d t = a consid]able di/ance  
d[n1 all ! mat]ial ( ^! atoll & encircl+
 reefs 0 built up ( precisely ! same    
coral rock z ! fr++ reef4 ,t is to say1 
y h an enorm\s mass ( coral rock at a   
dep? bel[ ! surface ( ! wat] :]e we "k  
p]fectly well t ! coral animals c\ld n h
 liv$ to =m x4 ,:5 ^? two facts 7 fir/  
put toge!r1 naturali/s 7 q z mu* puzzl$ 
z ,i d>esay y are1 at pres5t1 to und]/& 
h[ ^! two seem+ contradictions c\ld be  
reconcil$2 & all sorts ( odd hypo!ses 7 
resort$ to4 ,x 0 suppos$ t ! coral did n
 ext5d s f> d[n1 b t !re 0 a great *a9 (
 subm>9e m\nta9s /ret*+ ?r\gh !         
,pacific1 & t ! coral _h gr[n ^u !m4 ,b 
only fancy :at supposition t 01 = y w\ld

 h to imag9e t !re 0 a *a9 ( m\nta9s a  
?\s& miles or m long1 & t ! top ( e     
m\nta9 came )9 #bj fa?oms ( ! surface ( 
! sea1 & nei!r rose above nor sunk b5ea?
 t level4 ,t is highly improbable3 su* a
 *a9 ( m\nta9s 0 nev] kn[n4 ,!n h[ c y  
possibly acc\nt = ! curi\s circul> =m ( 
! atolls by any supposition ( ?is k9d8  
,i believe !re 0 "s "o :o imag9$ t all  
^! m\nta9s 7 volcanoes1 & t ! reefs _h  
gr[n r\nd ! tops ( ! crat]s1 s we all   
/uck fa/4 ,i may say we1 ?\gh x 0 r be=e
 my "t4 ,& :5 we all /ick fa/1 x is j ! 
use ( a man ( g5ius t he comes & %[s u !
 mean+ ( ! ?+4 ,he g5]ally gives an     
explanation :i* is s ridicul\sly simple 
t ev]ybody is a%am$ t he did n f9d x out
 be=e2 & ! way su* a discov]] is (t5    
rew>d$ is by f9d+ out t "s "o _h made ! 
discov]y be=e him6 ,i d n mean to say t 
x 0 s 9 ?is p>ticul> in/ance1 because ! 
great man :o play$ ! "p ( ,columbus & ! 
egg on ?is occasion _h1 ,i believe1     
always _h ! full cr$it :i* he s well    
des]ves4 ,! discov]] ( ! key to ^!      

problems 0 a man ^: "n y "k v well 9    
connection ) o!r matt]s1 & ,i %\ld n    
wond] if "s ( y h he>d x said t he 0 a  
sup]ficial k9d ( p]son :o did n "k mu*  
ab\t ! subject on :i* he writes4 ,he 0  
,mr4 ,d>w91 & ?is brilliant discov]y ( 8
 0 made public ?irty ye>s ago1 long be=e
 he became ! celebrat$ man he n[ is2 & x
 0 "o ( ! mo/ s+ul> in/ances ( t a/oni%+
 sagacity :i* he possesses ( draw+      
consequ5ces by way ( d$uction f simple  
pr9ciples ( natural sci5ce--a p[] :i*   
has s]v$ him 9 good /ead on o!r         
occasions4 ,well1 ,mr4 ,d>w91 look+ at  
^! curi\s difficulties & hav+ t sort ( k
 ( natural ph5om5a 9 g5]al1 )\t :i* he  
c\ld n h made a /ep t[>ds ! solution ( !
 problem1 said to himself--,x is        
p]fectly cle> t ! coral :i* =ms ! base (
 ! atolls & fr++ reefs c\ld n possibly h
 be5 =m$ !re if ! level ( ! sea has     
always be5 exactly :]e x is n[1 = we "k 
= c]ta9 t ^! polypes _c build at a      
great] dep? ?an #bj to #be fa?oms1 & "h 
we f9d !m at #ej to #ajj fa?oms4  ,t 0 !

 fir/ po9t to make cle>4 ,! second po9t 
to deal ) 0--if ! polypes _c h built !re
 :ile ! level ( ! sea has rema9$        
/ation>y1 !n "o ( two ?+s mu/ h         
happ5$--ei!r ! sea has gone up1 or ! l& 
has gone d[n4  ,!re is no escape f "o ( 
^! two alt]natives4 ,n[ ! objections to 
! notion ( ! sea hav+ gone up are v     
consid]able inde$2 = y w readily p]ceive
 t ! sea c\ld n possibly h ris5 a ?\s&  
feet 9 ! ,pacific )\t ris+ pretty mu* ! 
same di/ance ev]y:]e else2 & if x _h    
ris5 t height ev]y:]e else s9ce ! reefs 
began to be =m$1 ! geography ( ! _w 9   
g5]al mu/ h be5 v diff]5t inde$1 at t   
"t1 f :at x is n[4 ,& we h v good means 
( kn[+ t any su* rise z ?is c]ta9ly has 
n tak5 place 9 ! level ( ! sea s9ce ! "t
 t ! corals h be5 build+ _! h\ses4 ,& s 
! only o!r alt]native 0 to suppose t !  
l& _h gone d[n1 & at s sl[ a rate t !   
corals 7 able to gr[ upw>d z fa/ z x w5t
 d[nw>d4 ,y w see at once t ?is is !    
solution ( ! my/]y1 & no?+ c be simpl]  
or m obvi\s :5 y come to ?9k ab\t x4    

,suppose we />t ) a coral sea & put 9 ! 
middle ( x an isl& su* z ! ,mauritius4  
,n[ let ! coral polypes come & p]* on ! 
%ore & build a fr++ reef1 :i* w /op :5  
!y come to #bj or #be fa?oms1 & y w h a 
fr++ reef l t r\nd ! isl& 9 !           
illu/ration4 ,s long z ! l& rema9s      
/ation>y1 s long z x does n desc5d s    
long w t reef be unable to get any fur!r
 out1 because ! mom5t ! polype embryos  
try to get bel[ !y die4 ,b n[ suppose t 
! l& s9ks v gradually inde$4 ,let x     
subside by sl[ degrees1 until ! m\nta9  
peak1 :i* we h 9 ! middle ( x1 alone    
projects beyond ! sea level4 ,! fr++    
reef w\ld be c>ri$ d[n also2 b we       
suppose t ! s9k+ is s sl[ t ! coral     
polypes are able to gr[ up z fa/ z ! l& 
is c>ri$ d[n2 consequ5tly !y w add lay] 
^u lay] until !y =m a deep cup1 because 
! inn] "p ( ! reef gr[s mu* m sl[ly ?an 
! out] "p4 ,?us y h ! reef =m+ a b$     
?ick] ^u ! flanks ( ! isl&2 b ! edge ( !
 reef w be v mu* fur!r out f ! l&1 & !  
lagoon w be _m times deep]2 9 %ort1 y\r 

fr++ reef w be conv]t$ into an encircl+ 
reef4 ,& if1 in/ead ( ?is be+ an isl&1 x
 7 a great cont95t l ,au/ralia1 !n y w h
 ! ph5om5on ( a b>ri] reef :i* ,i h     
describ$4 ,! b>ri] reef ( ,au/ralia 0   
orig9ally a fr++ reef2 ! l& has gone    
sl[ly d[n2 ! consequ5ce is ! lagoon has 
deep5$ until its dep? is n[ #be fa?oms &
 ! corals h gr[n up at ! out] edge until
 y h t prodigi\s accumulation :i* =ms ! 
b>ri] reef at pres5t4 ,n[ let ?is       
process g on fur!r /ill2 let u take ! l&
 a fur!r /ep d[n1 s z to subm]ge ev5 !  
peak4 ,! coral1 /ill gr[+ up1 w cov] !  
surface ( ! l&1 & y w h an atoll reef2 t
 is to say1 a m or less circul> or oval 
r+ ( coral rock ) a lagoon 9 ! middle4  
,?us y see t e peculi>ity & ph5om5on (  
^! diff]5t =ms ( coral reef 0 expla9$ at
 once by ! simple/ ( all possible       
suppositions1 namely1 by suppos+ t ! l& 
has gone d[n at a rate n great] ?an t at
 :i* ! coral polypes h gr[n up4 ,y      
expla9 a ,fr++ ,reef z a reef :i* is =m$
 r\nd l& comp>atively /ation>y2 an      

,encircl+ ,reef z "o :i* is =m$ r\nd l& 
go+ d[n2 & an ,atoll z a reef =m$ ^u l& 
gone d[n2 & ! ?+ is s simple t a *ild   
may und]/& x :5 x is once expla9$4  ,b  
?is w\ld by no means satisfy !          
conditions ( a sci5tific hypo!sis4 ,no  
man :o is cauti\s w\ld dream ( tru/+ to 
an explanation ( ?is k9d simply because 
x expla9$ "o p>ticul> set ( facts4 ,be=e
 y c possibly be safe 9 deal+ )         
,nature--:o is v prop]ly made ( ! fem99e
 g5d]1 on acc\nt ( ! a/oni%+ tricks :i* 
%e plays ^u h] admir]s6--,i say be=e y c
 be safe 9 deal+ ) ,nature1 y mu/ get   
two or ?ree k9ds ( cross pro(s1 s z to  
make sure n only t y\r hypo!sis fits t  
p>ticul> set ( facts1 b t x is n        
contradict$ by "s o!r set ( facts :i* is
 j z cle> & c]ta94 ,& x s happ5s1 t 9   
?is case ,mr4 ,d>w9 suppli$ ! cross     
pro(s z well z ! imm$iate evid5ce4 ,y h 
all he>d ( volcanoes1 ^? wond]ful v5ts 9
 ! surface ( ! e>? out ( :i* p\r masses 
( lava1 c9d]s & a%es1 & ! l4 ,n[1 x is a
 matt] ( obs]vation & exp]i5ce t all    

volcanoes are plac$ 9 areas 9 :i* !     
surface ( ! e>? is und]go+ elevation1 or
 at any rate is /ation>y2 !y are n plac$
 9 p>ts ( ! _w 9 :i* ! level ( ! l& is  
be+ l[]$4 ,!y are all indications ( a   
great subt]ranean activity1 ( a some?+  
be+ pu%$ up1 & !re=e naturally ! l& ei!r
 gives way & lets x come ?r\gh1 or else 
is rais$ up by its viol5ce4 ,& s ,mr4   
,d>w91 be+ desir\s n to m]ely put out a 
fla%y hypo!sis1 b to get at ! tru? ( !  
matt]1 said to himself1 ,if my notion ( 
?is matt] is "r1 !n atolls & encircl+   
reefs1 inasmu* z !y are dep5d5t ^u      
subsid5ce1 ought n to be f\nd 9 company 
) volcanoes2 &1 'vice v]sa'1 volcanoes  
ought n to be f\nd 9 company ) atolls1 b
 !y ought to be f\nd 9 company ) fr++   
reefs4 ,& if y turn to ,mr4 ,d>w9's     
great "w ^u ! coral reefs1 y w see a v  
beautiful *>t ( ! _w1 :i* he prep>$ )   
great pa9s & lab\r1 %[+ ! di/ribution on
 ! "o h& ( ! reefs1 & on ! o!r ( !      
volcanoes2 y w f9d t 9 no case does !   
atoll accompany ! volcano1 or ! volcano 

bur/ up among ! atolls4 ,x is mo/       
in/ructive to look at ! great area ( !  
,pacific on ! map1 & see ! great masses 
( atolls =m+ 9 "o region ( x a mo/      
enorm\s belt1 runn+ f nor?-we/ to       
s\?-ea/2 :ile ! volcanoes1 :i* are v    
num]\s 9 t region1 g r\nd ! m>g91 s t we
 c picture ! ,pacific to ourselves a    
section ( a k9d ( v %all[ bas9--%all[ 9 
proportion to its wid?1 ) ! atolls ris+ 
f ! bottom ( x1 & at ! m>g9s !          
volcanoes4 ,x is exactly z if y _h tak5 
a flat mass & lift$ up ! edges ( x2 !   
subt]ranean =ce :i* lift$ up ! edges %[s
 itself 9 volcanoes1 & z ! edges h be5  
rais$1 ! middle "p ( ! mass has gone    
d[n4 ,9 o!r words1 ! facts ( physical   
geography precisely & exactly correspond
 ) ! hypo!sis :i* acc\nts = ! inf9ite   
v>ieties ( coral reefs4  ,"o o!r po9t1  
be=e ,i conclude1 ab\t ?is matt]4 ,^!   
reefs1 z y h j p]ceiv$1 are 9 a mo/     
s+ul> & unexpect$ mann] indications (   
physical *anges ( elevations &          
depressions go+ on ^u ! surface ( !     

globe4 ,i d>e say x may h surpris$ y to 
he> me talk 9 ?is famili> sort ( way (  
l& go+ up & d[n2 b x is "o ( ! univ]sal 
lessons ( geology t ! l& is go+ d[n &   
go+ up1 & has be5 go+ up & d[n1 9 all   
sorts ( places & to all sorts (         
di/ances1 ?r\gh all record$ "t4         
,geologi/s w\ld be q "r 9 ma9ta9+ !     
seem+ p>adox t ! /able ?+ 9 ! _w is !   
fluid sea & ! %ift+ ?+ is ! solid l&4 ,t
 may s\nd a v h>d say+ at fir/1 b ! m y 
look into geology1 ! m y w see gr\nd =  
believ+ t x is n a m]e p>adox4  ,9 an   
unexpect$ mann]1 aga91 ^! reefs af=d u n
 only an indication ( *ange ( place1 b  
!y af=d an indication ( lapse ( "t4 ,!  
reef is a timekeep] ( a v curi\s "*2 & y
 c easily und]/& :y4 ,! coral polype1 l 
ev]y?+ else1 takes a c]ta9 "t to gr[ to 
its full size2 x does n d x 9 a m9ute2 j
 z a *ild takes a c]ta9 "t to gr[ into a
 man s does ! embryo polype take "t to  
gr[ into a p]fect polype & =m its       
skeleton4 ,consequ5tly e p>ticle ( coral
 lime/one is an expression ( "t4 ,x mu/ 

h tak5 a c]ta9 "t to sep>ate ! lime f ! 
sea wat]4 ,x is n possible to arrive at 
an accurate computation ( ! "t x mu/ h  
tak5 to =m ^! coral isl&s1 because we   
lack ! necess>y data2 b we c =m a r\gh  
calculation1 :i* leads to v curi\s &    
/rik+ results4 ,! computations ( ! rate 
at :i* corals gr[ are s exce$+ly        
v>iable1 t we mu/ all[ ! wide/ possible 
m>g9 = error2 & x is bett] 9 ?is case to
 make ! all[ance ^u ! side ( excess4 ,i 
?9k t anybody :o kn[s any?+ ab\t ! matt]
 w tell y t ,i am mak+ a computation f> 
9 excess ( :at is probable1 if ,i say t 
an in* ( coral lime/one may be add$ to  
"o ( ^! reefs 9 ! c\rse ( a ye>4 ,i ?9k 
mo/ naturali/s w\ld be incl9$ to laugh  
at me = mak+ su* an assumption1 & w\ld  
put ! gr[? at c]ta9ly n m ?an half t    
am\nt4 ,b suppos+ x is s1 :at a v curi\s
 notion ( ! antiquity ( "s ( ^! great   
liv+ pyramids comes out by a v simple   
calculation4 ,!re is no d\bt :atev] t ! 
sea faces ( "s ( !m are fully a ?\s&    
feet high1 & if y take ! reckon+ ( an   

in* a ye>1 t w give y #ab1jjj ye>s = !  
age ( t p>ticul> pyramid or cone ( coral
 lime/one2 #ab1jjj long ye>s h ^!       
creatures be5 lab\r+ 9 conditions :i*   
mu/ h be5 sub/antially ! same z !y are  
n[1 o!rwise ! polypes c\ld n h cont9u$  
_! "w4 ,b ,i believe ,i v mu* und]/ate  
bo? ! height ( "s ( ^! masses1 & ov]/ate
 ! am\nt :i* ^! animals c =m 9 ! c\rse (
 a ye>2 s t y might v safely d\ble !    
p]iod z ! "t dur+ :i* ! ,pacific ,ocean1
 ! g5]al /ate ( ! climate1 & ! sea1 & ! 
temp]ature has be5 sub/antially :at x is
 n[2 & yet t /ate ( ?+s :i* n[ obta9s 9 
! ,pacific ,ocean is ! ye/]day ( !      
hi/ory ( ! life ( ! globe4 ,^? pyramids 
( coral rock are built ^u a f\ndation   
:i* is itself =m$ by ! deposits :i* !   
geologi/ has to deal )4 ,if we g back 9 
"t & se>* ?r\gh ! s]ies ( ! rocks1 we   
f9d at e age ( ! _w's hi/ory :i* has yet
 be5 exam9$1 accumulations ( lime/one1  
_m ( :i* h c]ta9ly be5 built up 9 j !   
same way z ^? coral reefs :i* are n[ =m+
 ! bottom ( ! ,pacific ,ocean4 ,& ev5 if

 we turn to ! olde/ p]iods ( geologic   
hi/ory1 al?\gh ! nature ( ! mat]ials is 
*ang$1 al?\gh we _c apply to !m ! same  
reason+s t we c to ! exi/+ corals1 yet  
/ill !re are va/ masses ( lime/one =m$ (
 no?+ else ?an ! accumulations ( !      
skeletons ( simil> animals1 & te/ify+ t 
ev5 9 ^? remote p]iods ( ! _w's hi/ory1 
z n[1 ! ord] ( ?+s implies t ! e>? _h   
already endur$ = a p]iod ( :i* our      
ord9>y /&>ds ( *ronology give u n !     
slighte/ conception4 ,9 o!r words1 !    
hi/ory ( ^! coral reefs1 trac$ out      
hone/ly & c>efully1 & ) ! same sort (   
reason+ t y w\ld use 9 ! ord9>y affairs 
( life1 te/ifies1 l e fact t ,i "k (1 to
 ! prodigi\s antiquity ( ! e>? s9ce x   
exi/$ 9 a condition 9 ! ma9 simil> to t 
9 :i* x n[ is4    ,footnote #a3 ,a      
,lecture deliv]$ 9 ,man*e/]1 ,novemb]   
#d?1 #ahgj4