RIDING A SHARK. 123 



and to this appearance the specific name cerebri- 

 formis refers." 



The scene was certainly an extraordinary 

 one. All around them were great heads or 

 domes of coral, three or four feet in height and 

 from four to five feet in diameter. Their color 

 was brown. Some were perfect, and studded 



Meaudrina cerebriformis. 



with the heads of richly colored boring worms, 

 while others were completely worn out in the 

 center, so that they formed enormous vases in 

 which were seen richly tinted gorgonias and 

 fishes of every hue, from the gayly painted an- 

 gel-fish to a brilliant purple fish that gazed in- 



