The Structure and Distribution of Coral Reefs noted the location of the different types of coral around the reef and in the lagoon. In his diary, he described, "examining the very interesting yet simple structure & origin of these islands. The water being unusually smooth, I waded in as far as the living mounds of coral on which the swell of the open sea breaks. In some of the gullies & hollows, there were beautiful green & other colored fishes, & the forms & tints of many of the Zoophites were admirable. It is excusable to grow enthusiastic over the infinite numbers of organic beings with which
Tema Reef 1765. Captain William Williams of the missionary ship "John Williams" sighted the reef on May 15, 1864. It was again examined by in 1880. Tema Reef Tema Reef, also called Tima Reef, is a submerged coral reef in the northern Cook Islands, southeast of Pukapuka. No coral or rock shows above water, but the sea breaks heavily over the reef. The reef measures about , covering a shallow but submerged area of . Legend has it that Tima, an Aitutakian warrior sailed to Nassau, but was chased away by Ngalewu, a chief from Pukapuka. On his return to Aitutaki he