Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1902-02-21

Coral Islands and Other Mysteries Of the
South Seas.
From the Los Angeles Herald:
The South Sea Islands Of Poly
nasia' was the subject Of a very inter
esting talk delivered before the Acad-
envy Of Sciences meeting at Ebell hall
last evening by Louis Van Meter"
Lewis.
Mr.. Lewis spent a considerable per-
iod in Polynesia some time ago and
illustrated his words by a number Of
excellent photographs obtained while
there, and maps showing the geo.
graphical situation Of the islands. Mr..
Lewis description Of the .Polynesian
group was very thorough and took up
their geographical situation. geological
formation, scenic and climatic attrac-
tons; their flora and fauna. customs.
languages. history and political signif-
icance. An especially interesting por-
ton Of the discourse was that relating
to the coral formations which abound
in Polynesia.
For every acre which shows above
the sea-" said the speaker, There are
miles Of coral reefs beneath the waves
Of the surrounding ocean. The angular
shape which the coral islands take is
unexplained and apparently unexplain-
able. Why these minute insects.
should construct their habitation in
such a way it is impossible to discover
and the islands, from their very incep-
ton, are a mystery to mankind.
Let it not be thought that they are
built Of the beautiful coral that we see
in the curio stores and museums.
The basic coral is very much like a
common white limestone. and. indeed
makes a very good building material.
1t is easily hewn, but in its mass 1t is
very hard to displace. Earthquakes
have no effect on It, because it crum-
oles upon itself and arrests any very
great cataclysm by its very instability.
An island only two acres in extent has
so much outwork that a ship would
hardly find a safe depth Of water at a
distance of three miles.
Studying the maps Of the archipel-
ago and noting the vast expanse Of
sea which these islands fill, We get the
impression that nature may be storing
up lime for a future contingent Of grass
growing plains and fields. When she
raises this vast system Of coral hills
and valleys say 500 feet higher. we
will be confronted b. a continent Of
lime which will require ages to make
into good soil. Beaten upon by the
wind and rain and baked by the sun. IT
will slowly disintergate until, ages
hence. 1t will furnish for millions of
people thousands Of homes and hun
dreds Of plantations"
In abiding to the national customs
Of the Polynesians, MIR. Lewis said:
HE can no more remain at peace than
he can fly, bnt he goes to war joyously
and with songs-and If he fall he is
simply unfortunate. The Samoan is
more the ideal Of a free lotus eating
existence than any Of the islanders.
and a sure way to kill him is to clothe
him in his trousers and shoes and
make him work. He becomes then a
simple animal, a beast Of burden, with
out Joy or interests, as long as he has
a stated task or a ure appointment to
keep. Yet the Samoan will work,
when the necessity for it arises from
his own wants. He is the best boat
builder in the south seas. His war
canoes will carry a hundred men
through storm and stress Of weather
with eas and safety.