CORALS. 139 



tirely from the parent, and the result is in each case a sim- 

 ple single-rayed Coral. But it does sometimes happen that 

 the young Caryojphyllea lingers about the parent until it 

 has formed its skeleton, and then becomes permanently at- 

 tached, and grows as a branch on the parent stock ; or it 

 may be that in some instances it is reproduced by budding 

 at the sides. In this abnormal condition we have a transi- 

 tion from the single-rayed Coral to the branched or many- 

 rayed Coral, which is presented, although in a humble form, 

 in our Ocnlina. Then again, these branches may be formed 

 on differently shaped stars on differently shaped stems ag- 

 gregated together by very different rules, and at different 

 angles, so as to form very differently shaped masses : but the 

 same principle may be traced throughout. Branch being 

 added to branch, and mass to mass, it is not difficult to 

 imagine the formation, steady and certain, but gradual, of 

 rocks, which in time may become tracts of land. It is im- 

 possible to treat of this wonderful subject without intro- 

 ducing the oft-repeated Hues of Montgomery, although my 

 readers must have seen them over and over again. 



" MillioDS of millions tlius, from age to age, 

 With simplest skill and toil unweariable, 

 No moment and no movement nnimproved, 



