102 



UNDERWATER GUIDE TO MARINE LIFE 



Among the several groups of non-stony corals, the gorgonians are the most 

 prominent. These are the bushy sea whips C/igs. 28, 29, 97 , 144^ and sea plumes 

 C/xgs. 97, J48) and sea fans Gorgonia Qfig. 30~). Sea whips and sea plumes have 

 a resilient skeleton composed almost entirely of a horny material called 

 "gorgonin" and because of their toughness often form dense beds in places 

 where wave action would break stiff, stony corals. The beautiful iridescent, 

 purplish sea fans add a considerable amount of lime to the skeleton. Being less 

 .resihent, they more often grow attached to stony corals in calmer waters. The 

 precious red coral, Coralliiim, of the Mediterranean is a member of this group 

 whose skeleton is composed almost entirely of lime of a bright red color. 



Fig. 3]. Top. Brain coral, Meandra. Female hlue-head wrasse often cluster around 

 the tops of large corals like this very large and almost perfectly symmetrical specimen. 

 Bottom. Staghorn coral, Acropora cervicornis, forms extensive thickets where m.any 

 fishes make their homes. 



