consequence of its greenish hue contrasting with the blue of deep water.” The corals that are the chief agents in reef-making are much larger than those usually brought home as specimens. There are massive kinds at work on the outer shores that could not live within the lagoon where the delicately branching kinds flourish. These gigantic corals far surpass in size, strength, and weight, any fossil specimens that have been found. It is difficult to get a sight of them, alive and working, because of those heavy seas that break upon the outer reefs; but large blocks are often rolled up by the waves and left upon the land. The delicate kinds of coral, so often described as beautiful in colour, and like a marine shrubbery in growth, are found on the inner edges of the reef within the calm lagoon. A missionary who spent many years in the Friendly Islands, tells me what a pleasant thing it is to float in a canoe over the shallow parts of these very clear waters on a fine day. Keeping your oars still, you may watch the busy and beauteous life below. You may see fish of bright hues playing in and out of the coral stems and branches, seeming to be glad of a refuge from their enemies in the open sea; while the ripple of the waves, touched by the light of a brilliant sun, heightens the charm of the scene. I have been doubting whether to insert a passage in which Mr. Jukes describes a sheltered nook, on an extreme slope, 66 where every coral was in free life and luxuriance." But I cannot help thinking that you will admire the beauty and distinctness of the picture in spite of the use of many hard names. "Round masses of mæandrina and astrea were contrasted with delicate leaflike and cup-shaped expansions of explanaria, and with an infinite variety of branching madreporæ; some with mere finger-shaped projections, others with large branching stems, and others again exhibiting an elegant assemblage of interlacing twigs, of the most ex quisite workmanship. Their colours were unrivalled, vivid greens contrasting with more sober browns and yellows, mingled with rich shades of purple, from pale pink to deep blue. Bright red, yellow and peachcoloured nullipora clothed those masses that were dead, mingled with beautiful pearly flakes of eschara and ratepora, the latter looking like lac-work in ivory: in among the branches of the corals, like birds among trees, floated many beautiful fish, radiant with metallic greens or crimsons, or fantastically banded with black and yellow stripes. Patches of clear white sand were seen here and there for the floor, with dark hollows and recesses beneath overhanging masses and ledges." These bright creatures have not always peaceful lives. There are many kinds of sea animals that bore holes in the corals, and take up their lodging amongst them; whilst some kinds of fish prey upon them. These fish have been seen watching hard by a reef, with their long bony jaws ready to crop off the heads and arms of the soft-bodied polyps as soon as they thrust them out of their stony framework. And when the corals themselves die, other animals occupy their forsaken buildings; I have read a description of a block of coral that was brought up by a fish-hook from a considerable depth. Its substance was worn and dead; but it was covered with many small, delicate and brightly coloured corallines, with sea-weed and sponges ; and when broken up various kinds of boring shells were found within; while in the hollows and recesses lay worms twisted in and out, and three species of crabs. Though not a oot in diameter, "it was a perfect museum in itself.” But I fancy I hear you wondering how reefs formed in the way that I have described come to be islands, where trees grow and men live. When the reef rises so high as to be almost dry at low water, the corals cease to build; but large blocks of coral are often detached by the action, first of the sun, and then of the sea, and are thrown upon the reef, so as to give it by degrees a higher elevation. Then the washing of the waves wears down the more delicate kinds of coral and rubs them into powder; and this powder fills up the vacant spaces, while chemical precipitation aids in forming masses of limestone. Besides, wherever throughout the ocean rocks are found, there is also life in abundance. Sea-weed creeps over them; beds of oysters, of muscles, and of other shells, cover them in thick layers; large shoals of fish disport themselves and seek their prey around their edge. In "this great and wide sea are things creeping innumerable." The hard teeth and palates of fishes, and many kinds of shells, some among the largest and heaviest of known species, serve to increase the compacted mass. Drift timber is frequently cast ashore; stones of considerable size are occasionally brought entangled in the roots of trees; insects, especially such as feed on dead animals, abound, and sea birds find a restingplace for themselves and their young. You may readily imagine how a fitting soil for stray seeds is soon formed, and how, as vegetation spreads, that soil becomes richer and more productive, till graceful and lofty trees lift their heads up towards the blue sky, above a thick growth of bushes and creeping plants Lizards, and other small animals, are among the early inhabitants of the new land; and at last man comes, and soon proves himself to be master of the whole. Let me just ask whether it has occurred to you, while reading this account of the formation of islands, to observe that in whatever part of the world we see life, we need but look a moment longer to see death and decay? There is no spot on earth so utterly drear that life has not visited it, giving colour, and beauty, and motion; but death always tracks her steps to chill and to deface. Yet in this ceaseless strife we find life the victor. Again and again, out of the ruins of the past, arise the fair forms of the present. Death slays its thousands, but life raises up its tens of thousands. WHY WEEPEST THOU ? FROM a world of sin and sadness- What, if hopes that once were cherish'd, Must to care and changes bow; And since thou hast hopes more fair— Joys such as angels share Laid up in heaven-look there! Or, impelled by strong affection, Why weepest thou ? With a fadeless crown of glory With a Father's rich supplies, Where free from sin and strife, Why weepest thou? H. M. W. THE HAPPY DREAMERS. BY MISS ANNA MENNELL. WILL you look back in imagination across two or three centuries, dear reader, and fancy that you are gazing upon an ancient and willow-fringed river, which waters a rich and fertile country? There are three or four persons slowly wandering along its margin; and if you glance at their pensive and care-worn countenances, you will at once infer that it is no ordinary trouble which is pressing heavily upon their spirits. There is an intensity and at the same time a hopelessness in their grief, which arrests your attention; especially when you perceive that they have paused in their listless and mournful stroll, and, sitting down by the banks of the stream, have buried their faces in the folds of their garments, and yielded to a bitter and irrepressible burst of tears. Tears! and tears from the eyes of men! How unwonted and how painful a spectacle! Who are these sorrowful ones? and what is the cause of their distress ? From the peculiarity of their physiognomy you are inclined to suppose that they are not natives of the country in which they dwell. And you are right. They are strangers and exiles. Nay more, they are |