THE SEA. 



Passing on to another of ocean's beautiful treasures, coral, it must be understood that the 



valuable coral of commerce used for purposes of ornament has little in common with that 



of the coral islands, while in a scientific point of view it does not come under the same classi- 

 fication at all. The coral used in jewellery, carvings, and 

 ornaments belongs to the group Corallines, of the order 

 Gorgonidce, while that of the reefs or islands belongs to the 

 large group of Madrepores. 



The coral was long considered a sea-plant, but what 

 JP was once taken for a flower is, in fact, a kind of polyp, 

 which lives in colonies. A branch of living coral is an 

 aggregation of animals united among themselves by a 

 common tissue, yet seemingly enjoying a separate existence. 

 The branch undoubtedly owes its origin to an egg, and 

 consists of two distinct parts the one hard, brittle, and 

 stony ; the other external, and soft and fleshy. The latter 

 is a united family of polyps, animals having feelers or 

 tentacles, and very sensitive, and further, possessing 

 generative or budding powers. The subject is, however, 

 of a nature too scientific to be fully treated here. The 



Greeks called it a " daughter of the sea," and as in so many other things, they were right. 



The fisheries are principally confined to the Mediterranean, and the fishing is conducted 



mainly by sailors from Genoa, Leghorn, and Naples. It is so fatiguing that it is a common 



saying in Italy that a 



sailor obliged to go 



to the coral fishery 



must either be a thief 



or an assassin. The 



saying conveys a good 



idea enough of the 



occupation. The best 



men can only earn 



four to six hundred 



francs (16 to 24) 



in the season of six 



months. They work 



eighteen hours per 



diem, and are allowed 



very little more rations 



than unlimited biscuit 



and water. " The barques sent to the fishing range from six to fifteen tons ; they are strong, 



and well adapted for the labour ; their rig is a great lateen sail and a jib or staysail. The 



stern is reserved for the capstan, the fishers, and the crew; the fore part of the vessel is 



reserved for the requirements of the padrone or master. 



CORAL ISLAND. 



