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have compared their appearance to beds of tulips or dahlias; and, 

 in truth, the large fungiae, with their crimson disks, and purple 

 and yellow tentacula, bear no slight resemblance to the latter. 



The tender branches of the corals furnish food to some species 

 of fish, which graze upon them in whole shoals, both within the 

 lagoons in the quiet waters, and among the breakers on the out- 

 side of the reef. Nothing can be imagined more beautiful than 

 the scene presented in the tropical climates, especially where the 

 shore consists of alternate beds of sand, and masses of rock. 

 " Groves of coral are seen expanding their variously colored 

 clumps, some rigid and immovable, and others waving grace- 

 fully their flexile branches ; shells of every form and hue, glide 

 slowly among the stones, or cling to the coral boughs like fruit ; 

 crabs and other marine animals, pursue their prey in the cran- 

 nies of the rock, and sea-plants spread their limber fronds, in 

 gay and guady irregularity, while the most beautiful fishes are on 

 every side sporting around." 





