107 
CAE T Ek, see 
CORAL. 
IN certain regions there are growing over the rocks at the bottom 
of the sea little forests of purple trees. These submarine plan- 
tations are composed of red coral, the brightest and the most 
celebrated of the Polypidoms—“ the Daughter of the Sea.”* For 
. Hy 
Sy 
SSS Su Hess ow 
ee 
aN ANN 
RED CORAL, 
a long time coral was classed as a marine plant; until Count 
Marsigli placed this curious growth in the animal kingdom. 
Peyssonnel, a naval surgeon, first recognised the true nature of 
the arborescent coral. He made known his discovery to the cele- 
brated Réaumur, who hesitated some time before he transmitted it 
to the Royal Academy of Sciences, and it was not until 1727 that 
* KopdAduoy, from xépn, a daughter, and adds, the sea. Latinised, the word became 
curalium, and hence our word coral. 
