134 
ANTHOZOA :—STONY CORALS. 
in the accompanying figure (fig. 75). The particular arrange¬ 
ment of the radiating plates of the Madrepore (shown at the 
top of each stem) is the result of the 
form of the soft structures by which 
it was deposited; and wherever we 
see a structure of this kind in coral, 
whether upon a large or a small 
scale, we may infer that it was formed 
by an animal nearly allied in structure 
to the Sea-Anemone. Of the stone 
depositing coral-animals, a large 
number are often associated in a com¬ 
pound structure, as in fig. 76; this 
consists of a stony tree-like stem and 
branches; but instead of the soft ani- 
Fig. 75 .— Caryophyllia. ma ]. ma tter being contained in its 
interior, as in the Hydrozoa, it usually forms a kind of flesh 
Fig. 76.— Stem of Coral. 
that clothes the surface, and connects together the different 
