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
Zhongzhou Reef Zhongzhou Reef Zhongzhou Reef also known as Ban Than Reef and Centre Cay (; ) is a small coral reef on the north edge of the Tizard Bank in the Spratly Islands, South China Sea. It lies east of ROC-occupied Taiping Island (Itu Aba), west of Vietnamese-occupied Sand Cay, and has an exposed area of approximately during high tide, and during low tide. It consists of an accumulation of seashells, sand, coral reefs and debris which forms a circular coral reef plate, surrounding the reef under the water, with a diameter of approximately . The reef is currently controlled by