SOME WONDEES OF THE SEA. 

 137 CHAPTER V. 



CORALS FORM AND ACHIEVEMENTS. 



HAVING* now glanced at the most conspicuous 

 achievements of the Corals, we will take a hasty 

 review of some of the endlessly varied forms which they 

 assume. 



There are the various Caryophylle Madrepores, speci- 

 mens of which are favourite inhabitants of marine 

 aquaria, the lovely colours of their animal envelope being 

 even more attractive to the eye than the delicate stony 

 laminae which they deposit. Several species are found 

 on our own southern coasts. The Goblet Caryophylle, 

 which is here given of its natural size, is a good type of 

 this group. The reader must imagine to himself that 

 the groundwork of this beautiful object is pure dead 



