"Atolls. A coral island commonly consists of a narrow rim of reef, surrounding a lagoon." -Dana, 1880

Coral Island of Atoll

"Atolls. A coral island commonly consists of a narrow rim of reef, surrounding a lagoon." -Dana, 1880

"represents a section of an island, from the ocean (o) to the lagoon (l). On the ocean side, from o to a, there is shallow water for some distance out; and where not too deep, the bottom is covered here and there with growing corals. Between a and b there is a platform of coral rock, mostly bare at low tide, but covered at high ... b to d is the wooded portion of the island. The whole width (is) from the beach (b) to the lagoon (c)." -Dana, 1880

Section of Coral Island of an Atoll

"represents a section of an island, from the ocean (o) to the lagoon (l). On the ocean side, from o…