ing estimated at one hundred fathoms, and yet this enormous mass is entirely of organic limestone, or of coral origin. Elinders mentions a still larger mass. It is on the east coast of New Holland, and extends, with very slight interruptions, one thousand miles, or more, in length, and from twenty to fifty miles in breadth. What an immense fabric for such a puny race of builders! The depth of the waters, encircling many of these submarine mountains, has not been ascertained, although the line has often been sent down to the distance of two hundred fathoms. These reefs, or islands, sometimes rise in long straight lines, sometimes in accumulated groups. It is a very curious fact, and one which has attracted the attention of several navigators, that when a new formation is arranged in right, or curved lines, the side of the submarine structure, to windward, or that which is exposed to incursions of the sea, rises nearly vertically in the form of a breast work or wall; whereas on the lee-ward, it shelves off gradually; constituting an inclined plane reaching on the one side to the surface, and on the other, extending to the bottom of the ocean. The uni formity in their mode of building these coral structures, which has been observed with astonishment, in the Indian ocean, and in other parts of the "vasty deep," evinces that the effect is not attributable to accident. It is unquestionably the result of instinct. These sloping reefs have proved disasterous to numerous vessels, which have, unexpectedly, come in violent contact with them, and been lost. When the groups are circular, a number of detached rocks and small islands first make their appearance, which are, at length, united. The water on the outside is deep, and the walls are perpendicular. These walls form a basin, filled with salt water, which gradually grows deeper and deeper as you approach the centre. In the interior of the basin, the animals are still laboring, while on the superior part of its perimeter, as they have carried their works to the greatest possible height-the surface of the water-they are dead and embalmed in their own cells. As the bottom of the basin gradually rises and ultimately becomes equally elevated with its circumference, these little persevering laborers all successively perish; for they are incapable of continuing their operations an inch above the ocean. But, it may be asked, how can this organic mass which, at high water, is entirely submerged in the deep, ever become a visible island? It is found, that the island begins to form on the exterior of the perpendicular wall, on the windward side. The waters constantly driving against it, carry large quantities of sand, shells and fragments of coral rocks and deposit them by its side. At length, this vertical wall is transformed to an inclined plane, to the highest parts of which are washed shells, decomposed marine matter, which soon becomes vegetable mould, and the seeds of plants-the product of foreign regions, borne hither on the bosom of the mighty waves-particularly those of the Pandanus, the Cerbera and the Hernanda. These take root, and grow, at first, near the windward boundary of the coral formation, but shortly spread towards the opposite extremity, and within a moderate period, carpet the whole surface. The vegetable substances produced decompose; are succeeded by a new growth, which, in its turn, is changed to food for the nourishment of other generations. By this process, the surface slowly rises; is first the residence of sea birds and other fowls; but at length is discovered, claimed and occupied by man. In this or in similar manner, were formed, unquestionably, all the coral islands, which exist in the different oceans and seas, whose surfaces are low and horizontal. Would time allow us, we could enumerate more than thirty islands of very considerable magnitude, in the Pacific Ocean, which owe their existence to this cause. But how will you account, inquires one, for the elevation of the island of Tongataboo ten feet above the surface of the deep, or for the conical peak of Eeooa, for the highlands of Owhyhee, all which islands are believed to be of coral origin? Here we beg leave to introduce a new agent-volcanic energy. How do you know, it may be asked, that these elevations are occasioned by volcanic force? It is an inference from the following well established facts. On several of the coral islands, there are at this moment volcanoes in ac tive operation; and on others, where, at present, there are none, incontrovertible evidence is afforded of their former existence. On Eeooa, there is none, but proofs of their ancient operations are every where manifest. Capt. Cook, on that island, found coral rocks, at an elevation of three hundred feet above the sea; and could not doubt, that they were raised to that height by volcanic means. The conical mountain was beyond question, formed by strata of lava, poured forth, at different periods, from the heated furnace below. Its summit served as the outlet, or crater, of the subterranean fire, till its energy was exhausted, or till it was converted into a different channel. On the island of Toofooa, seventy miles from Tongataboo, there is a volcano always burning. The Friendly Islands are one hundred in number, of which thirtyfive are hills, and were probably rendered so by subter ranean eruptions. Of this description are Otaheite, Bo labola and Eimeo. Kotzebue tells us, that Eap, a little to the westward of the Caroline Islands, is a vast seat of volcanic energy; that earthquakes are frequent, and that when they occur, all the coral reefs in their vicinity are shaken by them. Coral rocks abound on the island of Owhyhee-That on which Capt. Cook fell, and died in 1779, is manifestly an ancient coral, somewhat discolored by the action of the air, or by volcanic scorching. A fragment of it recently broken off by the missionaries, has been forwarded to me, by my friend, the Rev. Mr. Bingham. In a letter from this gentleman, I am informed, that volcanoes are often disgorging their liquid contents on some part of the island. He has transmitted to me a specimen of the lava, erupted in 1820. The Mouna Kaah, or Mount Kaah, which rises, in three stupendous pyramids, mocking those of Egypt, to the estimated height of eighteen thousand and four hundred feet above the level of the ocean, is nothing, it is believed, but an immense mass of lava, or melted coral. "The coast of the district of Kaoo, on Owhyhee, presents a prospect (says a gazetteer) of the most horrid and dreary kind; the whole country appearing to have undergone a total change from the effects of some dreadful convulsion. The ground is every where covered with cinders, and intersected with black streaks, which seem to mark the course of a lava that flowed not many ages back, from the mountains to the shore." From these facts, it is fairly inferred, that there exists, among the Polynesian Islands, a submarine power, fully adequate to the raising the coral beds to their present elevation, and to the production of mountains on them of their present magnitude, and what solid objection can be raised to the supposition that it has actually been applied to these purposes? That Islands have been thrown up from the bottom of the ocean, by the force of subterranean fire, we have the testimony of history, and of men of the present generation. Pliny asserts, that in his age, three islands in the Egean Sea,-Therasia, Automah, and Thia-were forced into day ah solo oceani, where no land before existed. By a submarine eruption, in 1767, a new island made its appearance in the Greek Archipelago. It rose, with slow progress, but within a year from the period of its oceanic birth, it attained a c cumference of five miles and an altitude of forty fe Within the present age, the island of Sabrina, escaping from the grasp of Neptune, raised her head above the briny deep, in the neighborhood of the Azores, and after holding her station for some time, slipped, her cable, and again put to sea, on a "returnless voyage." This island was composed entirely of volcanic pumice, which was not sufficiently solid to resist the impetus of the waves. A multitude of other facts might be collected, which speak the same language, and which affirm, that numerous islands in different parts of the Ocean, and particularly, the coral islands of the Pacific, have been generated by a race of insignificant animals, and brought into their present situation and forms, by volcanic energy. Never give, counsel when it is not asked of you; especially to those who are incapable of appreciating it. SKETCHES OF AMERICAN CHARACTER. Benjamin Franklin, one of the greatest benefactors of America, was born in Boston, January 17, 1706. His father, an English non-conformist, who had emigrated to America to enjoy religious freedom, was a tallow chandler and soap-boiler. Benjamin, the fif teenth of seventeen children, was put to a common grammar school at the age of eight years; and, from the talents he displayed in learning, his father conceived the notion of educating him for the ministry. But as he was unable to meet the expense, he took him home, and employed him in cutting wicks, filling moulds, and running errands. The boy was disgusted with this occupation, and was soon after placed with his brother, a printer, to serve an apprenticeship to that trade. His early passion for reading was now in some measure gratified, and he devoted his nights to perusing such books as his limited resources enabled him to obtain. Defoe's Essay on Projects, and Doctor Mather's on |