, 5 6 



THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 



pore, called the " Brainstone," which you have no doubt 

 seen, and which is so called from its resemblance to 

 the human brain. The whole structure of the madre- 

 pores is covered with a kind of fleshy matter, which is 

 connected with the animals in the cells ; the animals, in 

 fact, seem to be formed by it, for if a piece of this flesh 

 be torn off and thrown into sea-water, it will at once 

 begin to deposit calcareous matter, and form a cell, which 

 will soon be inhabited by a polype. It is to the animals 

 of this group that the formation of the coral islands and 

 coral reefs is due. As the mass rises, mud, sea-weeds, 

 and other matters are deposited upon it by the ocean, 

 and thus a soil is formed, in which the seeds brought by 

 birds take root. Vegetation soon covers the surface thus 

 formed. Groves of trees in time wave their leafy branches 

 in the wind, and at length, attracting the attention of 

 man, the island formed by such humble agency becomes 

 inhabited. 



The Asteroids form the second order of coral-forming 

 animals. Some of these form a soft and spongy poly- 

 pidom, whilst in others the dwelling consists of horny 

 or even calcareous matter. They differ from the Sea 

 Anemone in the circumstance of their not existing as 

 separate individuals, being all connected by a fleshy 

 envelope. The Asteroids take varied and beautiful forms, 

 some spreading out in the shape of star-like flowers 

 hence the name of the group.* Some spread out into 

 long projections, and are hence called " Dead men's 

 fingers;" others, which are very large, and cup-like in 

 form, are called Neptune's cups ; another spreads out 

 in rays like a large plume, and is called the " Sea-pen," 

 which is covered with a flesh-like substance, is fringed 

 on one side of each barb of the feather with numerous 

 polypes, and when disturbed it gives out a bright light. 



* Attr, a star ; cidos, form 



