14 HISTORY OF BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. 



" If His word once teach us, shoot a ray 

 Through all the heart's dark chambers, and reveal 

 Truths undiscerned but by that holy light, 

 Then all is plain. Philosophy baptized 

 In the pure fountain of eternal love, 

 Has eyes indeed : and, viewing all she sees 

 As meant to indicate a God to man, 

 Gives Him his praise, and forfeits not her own." Cowper. 



The smallest fragment of coral is an object of interest. 

 It is covered with perforations, but these punctures are not 

 intended merely to add to its beauty. Every one of these 

 little holes, or cells as they are called, was the habitation 

 of an industrious polype. During its whole life it was 

 building up its beautiful abode, and that without any pain- 

 ful effort on the part of the inmate, which was all the while 

 enjoying itself amidst the eastern waves, spreading out its 

 numerous tentacula in search of food abounding in the 

 waters ; or if threatened with being made the prey of some 

 rapacious neighbour, ready on the slightest warning to re- 

 treat into its coral cave, where it was safe as amidst the 

 munition of rocks. 



When we admire a specimen of coral on our mantel- 

 piece or in the cabinet of the curious, few are aware that 

 we see not half its beauty. We have before us a portion of 



