Coral and the Coral Fisheries. 443 



sex. A somewhat arbitrary standard of beauty has, how- 

 ever, been established in regard to the colour. We must 

 no more think of a choice piece of coral when we talk of 

 "coral lips," than we must of a bigarrean when we speak 

 of " cherry lips." Coral, to be rare and valuable, must be 

 of a delicate pinkish, flesh-like hue, uniform in tint through- 

 out, and in large pieces. 



The principal commercial varieties distinguished are 

 red, subdivided into deep crimson red, pale red, and 

 vermilion, which is rare ; black, clear white, and dull white, 

 which is the most common. The delicate rose or flesh- 

 coloured, which is the most prized, is sold at very high 

 prices, as it is entirely a fancy article. 



Red coral is classified by some dealers into twelve 

 shades of colour, besides the white and pink coral. 



In some countries red coral is classified into the fol- 

 lowing five commercial grades : I, froth of blood ; 2, 

 flower of blood ; 3, 4, 5, blood of first, second, and third 

 qualities. 



Madrepore and other showy corals are used for orna- 

 mental purposes. The horny axis of black flexible coral 

 (Plesaura crassa) is used for canes and whips in the Ber- 

 mudas, and the axis of fan coral (Rhipidogorgia) for 

 skimmers in the same islands. Coral is used for building 

 purposes in the Pacific islands, Mauritius, the Seychelles, 

 and other places. Coral rock of recent formation (Coquina) 

 is employed in Florida in the manufacture of ornamental 

 vases and earrings. Calcined coral is used for dentrifices, 

 as an antacid, etc. Lime is also made by calcining coral 

 and coral rock. 



The dealers and workers in coral recognize rough tips 

 and polished tips, fragments, roots of branches, suitable 

 for making earrings, and coral tulips for shaping into 



