CORALS 161 



small in size, many, in fact, are microscopic organisms. 

 Yet, that they have lived, and that for a definite and 

 useful purpose, is evident to all who inquire into 

 Nature's wonders. The more bulky animals have 

 done nothing at all comparable with that which 

 characterises the lives of coral polyps, sea and fresh- 

 water rhizopods, the radiolarians and globigerina. 



The reefs, miles in extent, enlarging the boundaries 

 of land near which they are situated, are the outcome 

 of coral polyp agency. Myriads of tiny creatures, 

 beautiful in shape and colour, are hidden away under 

 the surface of the ocean, and by means of a marvellous 

 power of which we have no knowledge, food and 

 carbonate of lime are drawn from the water. Many 

 varieties of coral polyps have the additional power of 

 being able to extract colouring matter, which gives an 

 extra charm to coral specimens. The different shapes 

 exhibited by coral are endless, showing that the 

 polyps themselves must be as varied in structure, etc. 



No complete classification of coral polyps has ever 

 been made. Each exploration of coral reefs brings to 

 light several forms that are new to our national collec- 

 tions. Days of profitable study of corals alone might 

 be made at the Cromwell Road Museum, and even 

 then the information gained would be incomplete. The 

 great bulk of our population can know nothing of the 

 pleasures to be derived from the study of these and 

 other priceless treasures of the matchless collections 

 of natural history objects in this museum. Were it 

 otherwise, the buildings would always be thronged 



