"
"I understand that."
"Well then, William, you observe there is an island commenced, as it
were, and, once commenced, it soon increases, for the coral would then
be protected to leeward, and grow up fast. Do you observe how the coral
reefs extend at this side of the island, where they are protected from
the winds and waves; and how different it is on the weather side, which
we have just left? Just so the little patch above water protects the
corals to leeward, and there the island increases fast; for the birds
not only settle on it, hut they make their nests and rear their young,
and so every year the soil increases; and then, perhaps, one cocoa-nut
in its great outside shell at last is thrown on these little patches -
it takes root, and becomes a tree, every year shedding its large
branches, which are turned into mould as soon as they decay, and then
dropping its nuts, which again take root and grow in this mould; and
thus they continue, season after season, and year after year, until the
island becomes as large and as thickly covered with trees as the one we
are now standing upon. Is not this wonderful, my dear boy? Is not he a
great and good God who can make such minute animals as these work his
pleasure, and at the time he thinks fit produce such a beautiful island
as this?"
"Indeed he is!" exclaimed William.
Pages:
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133