The Pelican Island, and Other Poems (Classic Reprint)

Excerpt from The Pelican Island, and Other Poems

The examination of a coral reef during the different stages of one tide, is particularly in teresting. When the tide has left it for some time it becomes dry, and appears to be a com pact rock, exceedingly hard and ragged; but as the tide rises, and the waves begin to wash over it, the coral worms protrude themselves from holes which before were invisible. These animals are of a great variety Of shapes and sizes, and in such prodigious numbers, that, in a short time, the whole surface Of the rock appears to be alive and in motion. The most common worm is in the form Of a star, with arms from four to six inches long, which are moved abolit with a rapid motion in all direc tions, probably to catch food. Others are sosluggish, that they may be mistaken for pieces Of the rock, and are generally Of a dark colour, and from four to five inches long, and two or three round. When the coral is broken about high-water mark, it is a solid hard stone; but if any part Of it be detached at a spot which the tide reaches every day, it is found to be full Of worms Of different lengths and colours, some being as fine as a thread and several feet long, Of a bright yellow, and sometimes Of a blue colour; others resemble snails, and some are not unlike lobsters in shape, but soft, and not above two inches long.

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