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
Coral Sea Reserves Ramsar Site commercial tour groups is regulated and limited, though there is some visitation by private yachts. Coral Sea Reserves Ramsar Site The Coral Sea Reserves Ramsar Site comprises the 17,292 km of oceanic island and reef habitats within the former Coringa-Herald National Nature Reserve and the former Lihou Reef National Nature Reserve in the Australian Coral Sea Islands Territory. The existence of the islands and cays within the two reserves has been known to navigators since the early nineteenth century. Lihou Reef was named after Captain John Lihou of HMS "Zenobia", who discovered the reef and its cays in 1823. The