CORALS, ETC. 



297 



gined they built up the 

 hard limey coral as bees 

 do their combs ; whereas 

 we have seen it is really 

 part of themselves, covered 

 over with flesh (except the 

 base in very old specimens) 

 when the animals are alive. 

 Balanophyllia verrucosa is a 

 species most generally seen. 

 It is of a bright orange 

 colour, and abounds in the 

 Mediterranean. Several 

 living Italian species are 

 exhibited at the Crystal 

 Palace Aquarium. 



The dead man's fingers 

 (A Icyonium digitattim) is an 

 object well known to fisher- 

 men, both by this name and 

 that of "cow's paps," &c. 

 It is dredged up from 

 deepish water, although 

 frequently found stranded 

 between tides. It is usually 

 attached by its base, the 

 body swelling upwards, and 

 covered with papillae when 

 taken out of the water. 

 The general body colour 



Fig. 229 



