G. CORALLIUM. 227 



ten to fifteen fathoms in depth ; from twenty-five to 

 thirty years, at the distance of a hundred fathoms 

 from the surface ; and forty years at least, at the 

 distance of one hundred and fifty. 



The Coral is generally of a more beautiful colour 

 in shallow waters, which easily admit the light, than 

 where the immense column of water, by absorbing all 

 the luminous rays, deprives it of the energetic influ- 

 ence exerted over all animated beings by that benefi- 

 cent fluid which unceasingly emanates from the sun. 



The Coral on the coast of France, perhaps better 

 chosen than in other countries, has the reputation of 

 having the liveliest colour, and possessing the greatest 

 brilliancy ; that of Italy, however, rivals it in beauty : 

 on the coasts of Barbary it attains greater thickness, 

 but the colour is not so lively, nor so brilliant. 



Fifteen different varieties are distinguished in the 

 course of commerce, which, from their colour and de- 

 grees of beauty, obtain the several names oi froth of 

 blood ; flower of blood ; first, second, third blood, S)X, 



N. B. The manner of obtaining Coral is so well 

 described in a short account of Trepani in Sicily, 

 that, as M. Lamouroux refers us to other books for 

 information on the subject, I shall take the liberty of 

 inserting it. 



*' At this place is carried on the principal Coral 

 fishery of the island, which is managed by a very in- 

 genious and simple contrivance. To the centre of a 

 large cross of wood is fixed a stone sufficiently 

 ponderous to carry the cross to the bottom of the 

 water. Pieces of small net are tied to each limb 

 of the cross, which is poised horizontally by a rope^ 



