266 Natural Theology. 



poetic fancy should locate in the coral-groves the 

 dwelling-place of sea-nymphs, beings too beautiful 

 for the upper air. 



And when the gay color of the living coral is 

 gone, and nothing but the solid stone-work remains, 

 what graceful outlines and delicate sculpture the 

 varied forms present ! What human genius could 

 devise the multitude of patterns which abound in a 

 rich collection of these treasures of the ocean ? The 

 branching Madrepore, the domes of Astreas and 

 Meandrinas, have each their own element of beauty, 

 so that we feel at once that the idea aimed at has 

 been reached. We may consider one form more beau- 

 tiful than another, but not a single specimen can we 

 select which we could improve in its style of beauty 

 without changing its plan of structure, and making 

 it another species. 



We discover here a grand principle, further illus- 

 trated in the shells of the ocean, of which we shall 

 by and by speak. While there is beauty in the living 

 animals, the solid coral and the shells are to remain 

 the permanent objects. The beauty of the animal 

 cannot be preserved, as it can be in some of the 

 higher forms of life. All beauty is gone in these 

 lowest animals when life is gone. But the solid coral 

 and the shells are so indestructible, that even the 

 coral, which is hidden from sight, while the animal 

 lives, is ornamented as though it were intended that 

 the solid framework should be the permanent record 

 and constant witness of the provision made in nature 

 for the love of the beautiful in man. 



