25. The smooth, gently lobated hving edge of ;i 

 Pontes coral platform is dotted with minute 

 polyps whose eombined efforts produce coral plat- 

 forms up to forty feet across. These support other 

 corals on their exposed and eroded centers. (Great 

 Barrier Reef. Allen Keast) 



26. These coral polyps, here 

 greatl)' enlarged, are part of a 

 colonv of PhijUangia amcricana, 

 a reef-building West Indian ston\' 

 coral. One polyp has just opened 

 its mouth to receive a fragment of 

 clam meat. In nature it captures 

 li\ing prey. (Jamaica. Thomas 

 Goreau) 



