less than the tops of those
mountains which rise from the bottom of the sea and project above the
surface. Some of these sea-mountains rise high above the surface and
form large islands; some only peep, so to speak, out of the waves, thus
forming small islands; others again do not rise to the surface at all--
their highest peaks being several feet below the level of the ocean. It
is on these water-covered mountain-tops that the coral insects lay the
foundations of their islands. As few mountain-peaks are level, however,
whether above or below water, the insect finds it more convenient to
form a ring round the sides of the mountain-top than to build on the
exact top itself. Then they set to work with the busy industry of bees.
Their talents are few; apparently they have received only one, but they
turn that one to good account. They fulfil the work for which they were
created. No creature can do more!

They begin to build, and the work advances rapidly, for they are active
little masons. The ring round the mountain-top soon begins to shoot
upwards and extend outwards. As the labourers continue their work their
families increase. It is a thriving and a united community. There are
neither wars nor disputes--no quarrelling, no mis-spent time, no
misapplied talents. There is unity of action and design, hence the work
advances quickly, steadily, and well. In process of time the coral ring
becomes a solid wall, which gradually rises above the highest peak of
the submarine mountain, and at length approaches the surface of the sea.
When it reaches this point the work is done. The coral insect can only
work under water. When its delicate head rises above the waves it
ceases to build, and, having done its duty, it dies. Those which reach
the surface first, die first. The others that are still below water
work on, widening and strengthening the wall until they too reach the
fatal surface, peep for one moment as it were on the upper world and
then perish. Thus the active builders go on adding to the width of the
structure, and dying by successive relays; working with their little
might during their brief existence, and knowing nothing of the great end
which is to result from their modest busy lives.

With the death of the coral insects the foundation-stone of the island
is laid, in the form of a ring just peeping out of the ocean.
Thenceforth other creatures continue the work. The waves lash and beat
upon the uppe