68 CORALS 



and the observations and drawings of other authors, prove 

 that in some cases, at least, the tentacles are of consider- 

 able length, like those of the common British sea-anemone 

 Tealia. 



It has been said that Fimgia is free, and so it is in the 

 adult condition when it is large and conspicuous ; but in 

 the early stages of its development it is fixed by a base of 

 attachment to a rock or to another coral. In the young 

 fixed stage Fungia is very much like a Caryophyllia. It 



Fig. 24. — Young stalked form of Fungia. R., a part of the rock to which it 

 is attached. S., the stalk showing the line when fracture ii about to take place. 

 Nat. size. 



has an irregular base of attachment, an imperforate thecal 

 wall, and twelve primary septa. This stage is called the 

 Trophozooid. After a time the free edge of the Trophozooid 

 expands and, becoming wider and wider, gives rise to a second 

 stage with a form like the mouth of a trumpet. When the 

 expanded part of the coral, the Anthocyathus, at this stage 

 has reached a certain size — the septa having increased in 

 number as it has grown — it breaks off and becomes the 

 free Fungia (Fig. 24). The stalk or basal part, called the 

 Anthocaulus, remains behind and gives rise to another 



