Page:The ocean and its wonders.djvu/62

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56
ADVENTURES OF A PARTICLE OF WATER.

ally engaged in thus robbing the sea water of its lime; shells are formed in a similar manner: so that

BRANCH OF RED CORAL WITH THE POLYPS IN.
BRANCH OF RED CORAL WITH THE POLYPS IN.

BRANCH OF RED CORAL WITH THE POLYPS IN.

A, branch of coral; a, the stony stem; b, vessels spreading; c, vessels going in straight lines; B, a germ set free; C, a full-grown polyp.

our particle soon finds itself in company with innumerable other particles of water in a like destitute condition. It rises to the surface. Here the sun, as if to compensate it for the loss of its lime, bestows upon it an unusual amount of heat; and the surrounding particles, not to be out-done, make it almost unlimited presents of salt. Full to overflow with the gifts of its new companions, it hastens to bestow of its superabundance on less favoured