It was, in fact, a coral islet, with a reef of rocks encircling it on every side.

The vegetation, however, was unlike anything in the world beyond; for it consisted of many varieties of tree-ferns, that looked like palms, and giant grasses, and bamboo.

The island was but small, and the entire circuit was not over a mile.

I saw nothing that looked like food, nor did it seem likely that in so small a place there could be enough sustenance for us.

Our only hope would be from the sea, yet even here I could see no signs of any sort of shell-fish.