How Coral is Formed.

Manawatu Herald, 6 November 1897, Page 2

How Coral is Formed.

Mr William Cooper, solicitor, has presented to the Auckland Museum a curiosity in the way of coral. It appears that some time ago some seafaring people visiting Apai had thrown overheard, on to the reef, a bottle which had contained table salt The little coral builders, apparently, had decided that this glass bottle was a suitable article upon which their skill as architects and builders could be exercised. As a foundation they appear to have deposited a o mating of lime formation about an inch thick, like a concrete foundation for a house, and upon this foundation they appear to have bpgun the ordinary cellular work. The coral deposited is pure white, and about two-thirds of the surface of the glass bottle is covered. At one part a tree formation has been started, but it has apparently been interrupted in its formation. Had it been allowed to lie some time longer on the coral reef the tree would no doubt have been supplied with the usual fanciful branches, etc.