Be warned, though, not all buffets are an epicurean delight; some just provide ballast.

Bags filled with old sand provide ballast to ensure that it can resist high winds.

The mining sector provided ballast for the slight rise in shares.

As for the peculiar internal structure of the siphuncle, beyond providing ballast, no reason has been given.

Its heavy ribs, providing ballast, indicate that it was semi-aquatic, perhaps like a hippo.