Coral reef A fringing reef forms around an extinct volcanic island as the island and ocean floor subsides. As the subsidence continues, the fringing reef becomes a barrier reef and ultimately an atoll reef. Darwin predicted that underneath each lagoon would be a bedrock base, the remains of the original volcano. Subsequent research supported this hypothesis. Darwin's theory followed from his understanding that coral polyps thrive in the tropics where the water is agitated, but can only live within a limited depth range, starting just below low tide. Where the level of the underlying earth allows, the corals grow around the coast
Lymington Open Air Sea Water Baths A seawater pool and smaller baths were on the same site in the 1780s. (There was a Roman camp near Lymington ("Lentune", "Lementon"), but there is no evidence of baths.) The current lido was built in 1833 by William Bartlett of the Lymington Bath and Improvement Co. with donations of £6,000. From 1872 the lido was run by Mrs Beeston. The local Corporation acquired the site in 1937. The local St Barbe Museum has information on the pool history. Lymington Open Air Sea Water Baths The Lymington Open Air Sea Water Baths (or "historic Roman Seawater Baths") is a lifeguarded