New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-28

Coral Rrrrs-ln the great archipelago Of the
Redeck and Ralek Islands, Tor the Marshal Islands rs
they are sometimes called extending over a space OF
four OF five hundred miles, not stoHe or fragment Of
a rock is to be other than coral all the lands
with their hard rocks, have disappeared beneath the
sea; and 80 valuable the smallest pebbles OF
hard rock that whenever drift tree is thrown ashore
on one of the islands s roots instantly searched,
and any little stones that entangled therelo arc
carried 10 the chief drofs belonging TO the crown
Tie asrect of these "atOls" "a they are called, rs
peculiar. The dark clear blue water OF the uufathom-
able rolls around them, kept IN long gentle un-
duatiOns by the perpetual breath and impulse OF the
trade wind. This long, lazy swell, meeting suddenly
with The obstruction of the steep wall OF the reef tts
tset m'o vast vide. continuous ridges OF blue water,
that rising higher aud higher at last roll over and tail
on the eoge OF the reef IN broad eaaracts OF
foam. one great ring of snow-whiie SURF thus env-
rous the whole efmass except AZ the ceward openings
forming a well marked boundary between the deep
blue If the ocean and the bright grassgreen water OF
the tranquil and comparatively shallow lagoon inside.
The little isles the ring OF the reef are margiaed ny
beaches of ghtterDg white sand, covered with green
bushes and often crowned by the pliaDt stem and
gently waving plumes OF the graceful teathery cocoa
palm. The elements of the few and simple;
vet il is not only beautiful but most impressive. The
bright contrast Of the color under tropical sun,
with the clear deep Sky overhead aDd the 10 pued up,
mountain and stationary clouds looking like towers
of wOolpacks, which are characteristic OF the Pacific
horizon peases and satisfies the eye while the mind
canuo; fail 10 be moved with the contemplation of
such wonderful results springing from the apparently
antag onsiic but really united, action OF the great
forces of nature The great internal disturbing agen-
cies and the destructive action OF waves and winds
are together set at deaTc aud oveccome by the vital
energies and powers OF such insignificant animal a.
a little pohp.
The hi islands of the Pacific, whether surrounded
by an encclng barrier reef or not have likewise gen
eralv many features in They rise into lofty
peaks and rdg, in the Interior grass grown but bare
ofuees from which radiae many buttress-like ridges,
separated from each other by deep aud precipitous
ravbes that open into valleys they proceed toward
the sea- Each radiang ridge has It's al es also closely
and deeply furoaed by rocky gens that run straight
from lis crest on either side into the valleys, aud each
ends frequently in craggy promonory that Juts into
the sea- with dark precDiees of dark rock separating
the valleys from each other Over all the lower parts
OF the roges as well in the depth of the valleys and
ravines spread dark umbragt forests, while groves
of cocosp palms, banboos, breadfruits aud the broad
leai.d bauana extend scross the more open and level
tracts Under these trees the inhabitants build their
bu's cul ivae their gardens and lead their simple and
Iebtbearted lives. II such island have an encir-
cling reef The lagoon between il and the land forms
Tranquil lake or natural harbor in which the natives
may disport themselves while, the reef often closes
in upon the land and this off where the PERCEPTIONS
dividing dees that bound each valley strike into the
sea- it not uDfrequenty happens that adjacent valleys
have easy method Of communication either by land
or water and thus aptto form isolated districts,
tie inhabitants of which are often at eumity with each
other. Dublin University Magazine.