CHAPTER XVI.
The boat launched--We visit the coral reef--The great breaker that never goes down--Coral insects--The way in which coral islands are made--The boat's sail--We tax our ingenuity to form fish-hooks--Some of the fish we saw--And a monstrous whale--Wonderful shower of little fish--Water-spouts.
It was a bright, clear, beautiful morning, when we first launched our little boat and rowed out upon the placid waters of the lagoon.

Not a breath of wind ruffled the surface of the deep.

Not a cloud spotted the deep blue sky.

Not a sound that was discordant broke the stillness of the morning, although there were many sounds, sweet, tiny, and melodious, that mingled in the universal harmony of nature.

The sun was just rising from the Pacific's ample bosom and tipping the mountain tops with a red glow.