5^ ANTHOZOA. 



and variously branclied. As a well-knoTMi example of 

 this tribe of zoophytes, we may select for description the 

 common red coral (Corallium o'uhrum), a branch of which 

 is represented in onr figure. The red coral is principally 



Fig. 36.— red cokal. 



obtained from the Mediterranean: when gi'owing at the 

 bottom of the sea, it consists of short branched stems in- 

 crusted with the living flesh, whereby the central axis is 

 produced, and which at intervals is studded with the 

 flower-like mouths that give it nom-ishment. The central 

 stem or " polyj^ary," as the stony axis is called, is of 

 extreme hardness, and susceptible of a high polish, to 

 which circumstance, together with its brilliant crimson 

 hue, the estimation in which it is held is principally 

 owing. The fishery for coral is carried on in boato. 

 Each boat contains at least three men, who are provided 

 with a massive wooden cross, to whose equal arms are 

 attached strong hempen nets. A large stone j^l^ced u^^on 

 the centre of the apparatus sinks it to the bottom, fre- 

 quently to the dej^th of two hundred or three hundred 

 feet. While one of the fishermen is employed in alter- 

 nately raising and letting fall the machine, bumping the 

 ground to break the coral stems, the others row the boat, 

 so as to sweeiJ ^^^^^ ^ certain space. After a time the 



